How To Protect a Teen from Pet and Puppy Scams
How to help a young person safely research a pet purchase and spot fake breeders and rehoming listings before any money changes hands.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Pet and puppy scams target the excitement that comes with wanting a new animal companion. Fraudsters post convincing listings with appealing photos — often taken from legitimate breeders — and ask for deposits or full payment before any pet exists to be collected. Young people are particularly at risk because the emotional appeal is high and the pressure to act fast feels very real. Talking this through before the search begins is far easier than after a payment has been made.
Know the warning signs of a fake listing
Most pet scams share recognisable patterns once you know what to look for.
- Price that is significantly below what similar animals cost locally
- Seller who can only communicate via messaging apps, not by phone or video call
- Requests for payment by bank transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency
- Reasons why the pet cannot be viewed in person before purchase
- Photos that reverse-image search reveals are taken from other websites
Establish safe steps for any pet search
Building a process together means your teen has a framework to apply without needing to ask each time.
- Always reverse-image-search any photos before making contact
- Only consider listings where an in-person visit is possible before any money is paid
- Research the average price for the breed or animal type before looking at listings
- Talk to you before paying any deposit or full amount
Identify trustworthy sources
Directing the search towards more reputable channels reduces exposure to scam listings significantly.
- Licensed breeders registered with the relevant national kennel or breed club
- Rescue and rehoming charities with a physical address and telephone number
- Local vets may know of reputable breeders or upcoming litters
- Avoid classified ad sites for high-value animals unless every check passes
Conversation script
“I love that you want a pet — before you start looking, can we go through a few things that will help us find a safe and legitimate one?”
“A lot of scam listings look completely real. The biggest rule is: never pay anything until you have actually seen and held the animal in person.”
“If you find a listing that looks perfect, share it with me before you contact them and we can check the photos together.”
Frequently asked questions
What if a deposit has already been paid and the seller has gone quiet?
Report the transaction to the bank immediately and ask about a chargeback. Report the listing to the platform where it appeared and to the national fraud reporting service. Keep all communications as evidence.
Is it safe to buy a pet from social media?
Fraud is common on social media marketplaces. If a listing is found that way, apply the same checks — reverse-image-search, insist on an in-person visit, and never pay in advance.