Dog
ownership has spiked during the pandemic, prompting a national organization to
issue a warning about potential scams targeting animal lovers.
Luke
Frey, of the Better Business Bureau of Connecticut, says any potential pet
buyer who is not meeting their pet at a shelter or in person needs to be
careful.
“Scammers
take full advantage of that – so if you can somehow video conference or see
that pet live, so you know it is real, that is an overall great tip,” he told
News 12.
Frey
says scammers tend to ask purchasers for money for vaccines, travel expenses or
say the puppy is sick and needs care. He says it's often weeks before a
person realizes they’ve lost thousands of dollars on a dog that doesn’t exist.
Buyers
can use the
BBB Scam Tracker if they suspect anything shady is happening with
their purchase.
News
12 was at
PAWS animal rescue group in Norwalk Friday where they said
December historically sees a surge in adoptions. The pandemic has also
escalated the desire to adopt a pet for many. The group says they
saw the most adoptions ever in 2020.