Labrador retriever puppies are among the most sought-after pets in the UK, leading to an increase in scams targeting potential buyers. Scammers use urgency tactics, such as saying only one puppy remains from a litter. This tactic pressures vulnerable consumers to make snap decisions. Future challenges Fraud is getting more sophisticated. Animal welfare experts are cautioning consumers to do their research and be cautious when adopting or purchasing a puppy.
In recent years, the UK Kennel Club has discontinued its Approved Breeder programme, making it even more crucial for buyers to identify reputable breeders and adoption charities.
Safety Tip Buyers must insist that drivers present identification and confirm its validity. Scammers often use cute puppy pictures to get victims to bite. That was how Kate Margolis got scammed, looking for a golden retriever puppy. Today, she urges caution to would-be homebuyers.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
Look for warning signs whenever you buy a puppy! Scammers often use phrases such as “Are you able to send money now to reserve the puppy?” to lure in unsuspecting consumers. Margolis recounts her experience of being scammed:
“I filled out a form on the site, and the breeder called me almost immediately. They sounded knowledgeable and walked me through the whole process using all the right terminology, which I didn’t understand at the time, but it helped build trust. They told me the litter was due at Christmas and the puppies would be ready to collect in February, but I’d need to put down a deposit to reserve one.”
Margolis spent £500 in this regard, making payment by bank transfer. Soon after, she learned that the seller had disappeared, saying her reserved dog had “eaten plastic and died.”
“When I eventually chased them, they told me the puppy I had reserved had ‘eaten plastic and died’. After that, they vanished. I was left with no puppy, no answers and no refund,” she explained.
This frustrating episode is a classic illustration of how scam artists prey upon emotions and create an illusion of urgency to trick innocent consumers.
The Importance of Research
Only breeding compassionately and responsibly in order to improve the breed should be the goal. The Kennel Club has advice for helping you think about what questions to ask and what paperwork to check before you make a commitment. Margolis advises potential buyers to trust their instincts:
“Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.”
Do a reverse image search to see if puppy pictures turn up in other places on the internet. This move is intended to help buyers confirm that the images are real. An ethical breeder will be more than happy to give you identification, veterinary records, and documentation required that the puppy has been microchipped.
Since that painful time in her life, Margolis has worked to ensure no one has to face the same heartache by developing an app, Petproov. This app enables consumers to check the ID and documentation of animal breeders or sellers. Get your ducks in a row before you go to buy that hardware!
Protecting Yourself from Scams
Now that demand for puppies is at an all-time high, all prospective puppy buyers need to be on the lookout for scams. Margolis cautions that scammers will often produce fraudulent listings. They grab your attention with stolen puppy photos and then write elaborate fictional narratives to play on your emotion.
“Since then, I discovered my story’s not unusual … scammers create fake listings with stolen puppy photos, make up heart-tugging backstories, and use every trick in the book to get you to send money fast,” she stated.
Be on the lookout for these common scams and fraud tactics. By doing your due diligence to ensure that breeders are legitimate, you can avoid being scammed and more easily locate the perfect pet for you.