How to Avoid Pet Scams in Florida

Looking for a new furry friend or rehoming a pet in Florida? That’s great — but be warned: pet scams are on the rise across the state. From fake breeders and shady buyers to stolen pet listings, scammers often target trusting people who simply love animals.

At PetSalesFlorida.com, we’re committed to safe and honest pet connections. This guide will help you spot the red flags and make sure your pet purchase or rehoming experience is scam-free.

🚨 1. Common Pet Scam Tactics in Florida

Here’s how most pet scams happen:

🐾 Fake Sellers

• Use stolen or AI-generated pet photos
• Ask for payment via Zelle, CashApp, or wire transfer
• Claim to “ship the pet” but never deliver
• Pressure you with fake urgency (“Last one left!” or “Going fast!”)

🐾 Fake Buyers

• Overpay with a fake check and ask for a refund
• Say they’ll “send a shipper” but never show up
• Try to move the conversation off the platform quickly
• Don’t ask questions — they just want your pet fast

🔎 2. Red Flags to Watch Out For

• 💸 Payment requested before you’ve met the pet or seller in person
• 📦 They insist on shipping only and avoid local meetups
• 🔕 They won’t do video calls or send recent photos/videos
• 🤐 They refuse to provide vet records or health certificates
• 🆓 Too-good-to-be-true prices, especially for purebred pets
• 🌍 Out-of-state sellers claiming they’re “just relocating”

🧾 3. Protect Yourself When Buying or Adopting a Pet

✅ Meet in person — and bring someone with you when possible
✅ Ask for a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (required by law in Florida)
✅ Request recent videos showing the pet responding to their name
✅ Ask questions about the pet’s routine, food, and habits
✅ Avoid cash apps or wire transfers — use secure, trackable methods
✅ Search the seller’s photos on Google Images to see if they’re stolen

Always insist on a video call before committing to anything — real sellers will have no problem showing you the pet in real time.

🐕 4. Tips for Sellers to Avoid Scammers

If you’re rehoming a dog, cat, or litter:

• Don’t accept checks from people you don’t know
• Be cautious of buyers who don’t ask about the pet at all
• Avoid “overpayment” tricks — it’s always a scam
• Never agree to ship your pet unless you have experience with pet transport
• Keep all communication within PetSalesFlorida.com for your safety

🧠 5. What to Do if You Suspect a Scam

• 📍 Report the listing directly on PetSalesFlorida.com
• 📧 Email our support team if you were contacted by a suspicious user
• 🛑 Stop all communication and never send money
• 🐾 Warn others in your local pet groups or community

If you’ve lost money, report the scam to:

• Florida Attorney General’s Office: www.myfloridalegal.com
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): reportfraud.ftc.gov

✅ Stay Safe with PetSalesFlorida.com

We vet listings, encourage local meetups, and offer secure in-platform messaging to help prevent scams. You can browse or list pets with confidence, knowing our team is actively working to keep the platform scam-free.

🐾 Looking for a Pet in Florida?

Browse local, verified listings on PetSalesFlorida.com and connect with real breeders, adopters, and pet lovers — not scammers.