Buyer Beware

Consumers trying to find dogs from responsible breeders or breed rescue groups may find themselves bombarded with elaborate websites offering the offspring of "champions" with a host of fancy terms and pictures of adorable pups.

Don't be fooled: Internet puppy scammers attract potential buyers with cute photos and phony promises. Hundreds of complaints are filed every year from victims who were scammed when buying a dog online—the puppy you receive may not be the puppy you agreed to buy, or you may not receive a puppy at all. Internet scams range from fake "free to good home" ads where the buyer is asked to pay for shipping, only to never see that puppy they tried to help, to breeders posing as sanctuaries or rescues, but charging upwards of $1,000 in "adoption" fees.

How to Avoid Being Scammed

Should you decide to purchase a pet, never buy one you haven't met in person. Please make sure to follow these tips when using the Internet to find a pup:

• Always visit. 

• Pick your puppy up at the kennel, rather than having the puppy shipped or meeting the seller at a random location.

• Deal directly with a breeder, not a broker.

• Never send Western Union or money order payments.

If you are told that there will be no refunds for a sick puppy, you are most probably dealing with a puppy mill. A reputable breeder or rescue group will always take the puppy back

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