How to Buy a Pet Online Safely (and Avoid Scams)

Quick answer

To buy a pet online safely, check out the seller and see the animal in person or on a live video call. Look at its health and paperwork, and never send full payment by an untraceable method to someone you haven't met. Walk away if the price looks too good, if you are being pushed to pay fast, or if "delivery" fees start appearing. A genuine seller is glad to answer your questions.

Why online pet scams are so common

People buy pets with their hearts, and scammers know it. A photo of a cute puppy, kitten or parrot at a low price gets people moving fast. Plenty of scam listings use photos lifted from real breeders or other ads, for an animal that never existed. Other sellers do have animals but hide illness, lie about age or breed, or are selling stolen pets.

Fortunately most scams run to the same pattern, and once you know it you can spot them.

Red flags in a listing

Be wary if you see:

• A price far below the going rate for that breed or species
• The same photos on other listings or websites (try a reverse image search)
• Only professional or "perfect" photos, with no everyday shots of the animal at home
• Vague details: no age, no location, nothing about vaccinations or diet
• Rare or "teacup" animals that are always "available now"
• Lots of different breeds from one seller, all ready at the same time
• The breed or species spelled differently every time it is mentioned

Red flags in the conversation

How a seller talks to you says a lot.

Step-by-step: how to buy safely

1. Research the species first. Know the normal price range, adult size and care needs, and what a healthy animal looks like.

2. Check the seller. Look for a profile with some history, reviews and real contact details. On marketplaces, go with verified sellers where you can. Ask how long they have been keeping or breeding.

3. Ask detailed questions. Age, diet, vaccinations, deworming, parents, temperament, why they are selling. Good sellers will have questions for you as well, because they care where their animals end up.

4. See the animal live. Visit in person if you possibly can. If not, ask for a live video call where the seller shows the animal next to something you choose, such as your name written on paper. Pre-recorded video can be borrowed from anyone.

5. Inspect health in person. You want clear eyes and nose, clean ears and back end, a healthy coat or feathers, normal breathing and an alert animal. With young mammals, ask to see the mother. For birds, our guide on how to tell if a parrot is healthy before you buy has a full checklist.

6. Get paperwork. Depending on the animal, that might mean vaccination and deworming records, a vet health check, microchip details or breed registration. Paperwork rules differ between countries.

7. Pay safely. Use a traceable method, and if possible pay in full only when you collect. Get a written receipt with the seller's name, the animal's details, the price and the date.

8. Meet safely. Meet at the seller's home or somewhere busy and public, take someone along, and don't carry large amounts of cash in advance.

Questions to ask any seller

• How old is the animal, and how do you know?
• Can I see the mother (or the parents)?
• What is it eating now?
• What vaccinations and deworming has it had, and when?
• Has it been checked by a vet? Any health problems?
• What happens if it falls ill in the first few days?
• Will you take it back if it does not work out?

After you bring your pet home

• Book a vet check within the first few days.
• Keep the newcomer apart from your other animals for a quarantine period, particularly with birds and livestock.
• Hang on to every message, receipt and record.
• If the animal turns out to be seriously ill soon after you buy it, contact the seller in writing and get a vet report.

If you think you have been scammed

• Stop all payments, and don't send more money for "new fees".
• Contact your bank or payment provider straight away.
• Report the listing to the marketplace and keep screenshots of the ad and the messages.
• Report the fraud to your local police or the relevant consumer authority.

In Pakistan

A lot of animals here are advertised through social media groups and messaging apps, where it is hard to know who you are really dealing with. A common trick is to ask for advance payment by mobile wallet or bank transfer for "courier" delivery between cities, then add "cargo" or "vet certificate" fees on top. Insist on a live video call, collect in person where you can, and take extra care with expensive parrots and imported dog breeds. Our guide to puppy scams covers the tricks specific to dogs.

Paalo lists animals from verified sellers so you can check before you commit. Browse listings on Paalo.