How to Avoid Holiday Puppy Scams by Looking for These Warning Signs

It’s the holiday season and that can mean a lot of things. It’s a time for all of us to show love and kindness to each other. Many of us have created our Christmas list for Santa Claus, each with that one special gift we’re hoping for. Kids and adults alike have a dream gift of a new puppy. Parents and loved ones are searching for that perfect puppy for their family.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of bad actors looking to take advantage of those looking for a cute little furball. Veterinarians.org is warning potential dog owners to be on the lookout for these unsavory pet peddlers.

New Jersey is not high on the list of the most common states for puppy scams. However, New York and Pennsylvania are high on the list.

Here are some tips and warning signs to watch out for when looking for the perfect pup.

Scammers create enticing online listings for puppies, often using fake or copied photos from legitimate breeders or websites. The advertised puppies may be purebred or popular breeds, making them more appealing to pet shoppers.

Scammers typically communicate with potential buyers via email, text, or phone calls. They may use various tactics to build trust, such as providing fake references or claiming to be located in an area a considerable distance from the buyer.

After you reach out to them, scammers request payment for the puppy and may ask for additional fees, such as shipping costs, insurance, or health certificates. They usually insist on payment through methods that are difficult to trace or reverse, such as wire transfers or gift cards.

Scammers avoid meeting buyers in person or allowing them to visit the location where the puppies are supposedly kept. They may provide excuses, such as claiming to be overseas or facing travel restrictions.

Once payment is made, scammers may provide fake tracking information or invent reasons for delays in shipping. Eventually, communication may end altogether.

Veterinarians.org says, “Individuals and families can protect themselves from scams by making themselves aware of the typical warning signs of a scam, and by adopting through an animal shelter, rescue group, or AKC-certified reputable breeder.”

Not to be confused with National Puppy Day which is March twenty-third, today is National Dog Day.

Like babies, all dogs are cute. Okay, maybe you don't agree about the babies or the doggies, but we can agree that most of them are. Everybody has a favorite dog and a favorite type of dog. It can be a big strong dog like a German Shepard or a Pit Bull. It can be a little tiny yip-yip dog like a Yorkshire Terrier or a Chihuahua. I've had two dogs in my life. One was a medium-sized dog, a black and white Border Collie named Biko, and he was super energetic, as most Border Collies are. He was very Type A, always had to know what everyone was doing at all times, and was extremely affectionate. Then there was Funky, a little hyper black and brown Yorkshire Terrier mix that was equally affectionate, loved to pee anywhere and everywhere, and was best friends with his much larger Collie brother. He was the perfect dog, except for all the peeing, of course.

Although I love those little guys, I can't say that either one is my favorite breed. Growing up there were two dogs that I loved to see when we would go and visit them. One was Duke, a German Short Hair that I'd get to play with when we visited my Aunt, Uncle, and cousins in Philadelphia. Although he would bite me, a lot, I still enjoyed walking him whenever I got the chance. The other was Crackers, a Beagle that loved to play all day. He lived with family friends who we would see from time to time. From as early as I can remember to when I was eleven or twelve going to see that fun little doggie was one of the happiest times of my life. So, without a doubt, because of my memories of Crackers, Beagles are by far my favorite breed of dog. They're primarily used for hunting, but they make great family dogs because of their high intelligence and love of affection and attention.

That's my favorite, let's see if your fave is on the list of top dog breeds in New Jersey. According to PuppySpot.com, here are the top five most popular dogs in the state.

You mix a Poodle and a Golden Retriever, and this is what you get. Want one? Get one here

These are great family dogs and are a favorite in any state. Check out a few here

Labs have been one of the most popular dogs in America for decades. See some puppies here

They're one of the most intelligent and are easily identifiable. More here

Strong and affectionate. Find one here

Find out how to win a $50 gift card to Katie's Pet Depot here.