Beware: Surge in Online Pet Scam Complaints Prompts BBB Alert
“I paid $500 after finding my dream dog for sale online. There was one problem—it didn’t exist.”
What’s the shocking subject of America’s newest and most widespread scam?
Fake puppies for sale.
According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), fraudulent online pet listings have become one of the top consumer scams nationwide. Americans searching for a furry companion are being targeted by online con artists and illegal breeders exploiting unregulated advertising platforms.
Unregulated “pets for sale” ads are the primary entry point for backyard breeders and thieves. Many of these sellers offer sick or mistreated animals—and in some cases, the puppies never existed at all. Because these sellers typically operate without a verified address or traceable business registration, law enforcement has limited recourse to hold them accountable.
“Backyard breeders and puppy mills can’t thrive or make money without advertising,”
said John Ross, Director of Fair Pet Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit leading the movement to end pet overpopulation and online pet scams.
“This law will require comprehensive registration with a corresponding sales tax number before any website or publication can accept a ‘pet for sale’ ad. Full disclosure—including photo ID, verified location, and veterinary health certificates—will become mandatory.”
The proposed legislation aims to close the loopholes that have allowed this crisis to spread unchecked.
Under the proposed law:
- No “pet for sale” ad can be published without paid registration, sales tax documentation, and valid veterinary health certificates.
- Websites, publications, and online marketplaces that accept unverified or illegal ads would face substantial fines and penalties.
By removing anonymous online advertising, illegitimate sellers will lose their main source of income. Without a platform to promote their animals, backyard breeders, puppy mills, and scammers will be forced out of business—marking the beginning of the end of the backyard breeding epidemic.
