Pet scams are among the most common frauds reported to consumer protection groups in Canada and the U.S. Often, the "pet" doesn't exist, and a fake transport company is part of the con. Other times, a real pet gets passed to an unqualified driver found through a classified ad. Here's what to watch for.
The classic puppy (or kitten) shipping scam
- You find an adorable puppy online at a great price, often from a seller who can't meet in person.
- You pay the seller, who says a shipping company will deliver the puppy.
- The "shipping company" emails you. It has a professional-looking website.
- Then the fees start: a special climate crate, pet insurance, a vaccination charge, a customs bond, a refundable deposit. Each one is "urgent" and the pet is supposedly stuck until you pay.
- The puppy never arrives, because it never existed.
Red flags
- Payment by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency or peer-to-peer apps with no buyer protection.
- Surprise fees after booking, especially "refundable" ones.
- Urgency and threats, like "your pet will be seized by customs if you don't pay today."
- No phone number, or one that only takes messages.
- A brand-new website with stock photos and no physical address.
- Prices far below the market.
- Poor grammar in official-sounding emails, or email addresses on free webmail domains.
- Claims that border fees must be paid to the transporter. Government agencies don't collect fees through private shipping companies this way.
How to check a transport company
- Look up any USDA registration number with APHIS.
- Search the company name with words like "scam" and "reviews."
- Check that the phone number and address are real, and call them.
- Ask for a written quote listing every fee before you pay anything.
- Pay by credit card where possible.
Beyond scams: unqualified drivers
Online marketplaces make it easy to hire an individual driver to move a pet. Some are excellent. Others are people with a car and no animal handling experience, no plan for emergencies and no insurance. Ask the questions in our article on how to choose a pet transport company no matter where you find a transporter.
If you think you've been scammed
Stop paying. Save all messages and receipts. Report it to your bank or card company, to local police, and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (in Canada) or the FTC (in the U.S.).
How we do it
4Paws Movers publishes its prices and fee definitions openly on our pricing and Fees Explained pages. Every quote comes in writing. You can call us, and our registration details are in the footer of every page. Request a quote and compare.
Planning a move with your pet?
4Paws Movers offers dedicated, climate-controlled ground transport across Ontario and cross-border into the U.S., plus airport cargo drop-off. Every fee is published.