Real Pet Breeder vs Puppy Scam
How to tell a genuine dog or cat breeder from a fraudulent seller who takes a deposit for a pet that does not exist.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Puppy scams involve fake listings for adorable pets sold at attractive prices. After a deposit — or often the full asking price — is paid, the 'breeder' invents shipping fees, vet fees, and insurance costs before vanishing entirely. The pet never arrives.
Side-by-side comparison
| Genuine breeder | Puppy or pet scam | |
|---|---|---|
| Viewing the animal | Invites you to visit in person or offers a live video call showing the animal in its home environment | Refuses in-person visits; insists on photos or scripted video that may be stolen from real breeders |
| Registration and pedigree | Provides verifiable registration numbers from a recognised kennel club (Kennel Club, AKC) that you can check online | Offers unofficial paperwork or promises documents after payment that never materialise |
| Price | Price is consistent with current market rates for the breed; may have a waiting list | Price is unusually low or presented as a rescue/rehoming deal to create urgency |
| Payment method | Accepts bank transfer or card with a clear written contract; may take a modest holding deposit | Demands full payment upfront by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency with no contract |
| Health documentation | Provides vet health certificates, vaccination records, and microchip details before handover | Promises health documents later; may then demand extra 'vet clearance' fees to release the animal |
| Ongoing contact | Available for questions after sale; connected to a local community of buyers and breed clubs | Goes quiet or invents new fees (crating, insurance, customs) every time delivery is promised |
Common red flags
- Seller refuses to meet in person or show the animal live on video
- Payment requested by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
- Price far below typical market rate for the breed
- New fees keep appearing after the initial payment
- No verifiable kennel-club registration number
- Communication is by messaging app only, no traceable contact details
Verification steps
- Search the breeder's name, phone number, and photos in reverse image search to detect recycled listings
- Verify any kennel-club registration number on the official club's public registry
- Insist on a live video call showing the specific animal in its home environment
- Pay by credit card where possible to preserve chargeback rights
What not to do
- Do not pay the full price before seeing the animal in person or via live video
- Do not send money by gift card or cryptocurrency to any pet seller
- Do not pay additional 'shipping insurance' or 'customs release' fees — these are escalation tactics
A safe response
Stop all payments and contact your bank or card provider immediately to attempt a chargeback. Report the listing to the platform, your national consumer protection agency, and your local trading standards or animal welfare authority.
Frequently asked questions
Is it ever safe to buy a puppy without meeting it first?
Buying without an in-person visit carries significant risk. At minimum, insist on a live video call — not a pre-recorded clip — showing the specific animal in a genuine home setting. Pay by credit card so you can dispute the charge if the pet does not arrive.
What should I do if the seller keeps asking for more fees?
Stop paying immediately. Escalating fees (shipping, insurance, customs, vet clearance) are the hallmark of this scam. A genuine seller builds all costs into the agreed price. Contact your bank and report the seller to the platform and your national fraud reporting service.