Puppy Scams: How to Buy a Puppy Safely

Quick answer

Most puppy scams come in two kinds. Either the advert is fake and the puppy doesn't exist, or the puppy is real but sold sick, too young or from poor breeding conditions. To buy safely, see the puppy with its mother in the place it was raised, check its health and its records, ask a lot of questions, and never pay in full before you've seen the puppy in person.

The most common puppy scams

1. The puppy that does not exist

A gorgeous puppy is advertised at a tempting price. The seller says they live far away and will ship it. Once you've made the first payment, new costs start turning up: a crate, "pet insurance", vaccinations, a courier fee, a customs or airport charge. Every fee is supposedly "refundable". The puppy never comes.

Spot it: the seller dodges live video calls, won't let you visit, pushes you to pay by bank transfer, mobile wallet, gift card or crypto, and keeps adding fees.

2. Puppy farm or poor-welfare breeding

Here the puppies are real, but they're bred in large numbers with little thought for health or socialisation. They may be taken from their mothers too early and kept in poor conditions, then sold through a middleman so you never see where they grew up. These puppies are more likely to carry infectious diseases such as parvovirus and to develop behaviour problems.

Spot it: the seller has lots of breeds on offer, suggests meeting in a car park or delivering to your door, can't show you the mother, or shows you a "mother" who takes no interest in the puppies.

3. Wrong age, breed or health

The puppy is passed off as older than it is, as a purebred when it's a cross, or with "papers" that don't match. Sometimes signs of illness are hidden or played down.

Spot it: vague or contradictory answers, no vaccination record, or papers you can't check.

4. Stolen dogs

Some dogs sold online were stolen. They tend to be cheap, and the seller wants the sale done quickly.

Spot it: adult dogs sold in a hurry and cheaply, no records, and a seller who knows little about the dog's past. After you buy, ask a vet to scan for a microchip.

Red flags at a glance

How to buy a puppy safely: step by step

1. Choose the right breed first. Look into size, energy, coat, common health problems and whether the breed suits your climate. Our dog care basics guide helps you work out what fits your home.

2. Know the price range. Ask local breed clubs, vets or experienced owners what a healthy puppy of that breed normally costs. Very cheap usually means trouble.

3. Contact the seller with questions. A good breeder answers clearly and asks about you as well.

4. Visit in person. See the puppy with its mother and littermates where they live. If a visit really isn't possible, do a live video call and ask the seller to show you the mother, the litter and the puppy together.

5. Check the puppy's health. A healthy puppy usually has:

• Bright, clear eyes with no discharge
• A clean nose, ears and rear end
• A soft belly that is not hard or bloated
• A clean, shiny coat with no bald patches or fleas
• Normal breathing with no coughing
• Alert, playful behaviour with littermates

6. Check records. Ask for dated vaccination and deworming records and, where they apply, microchip details and a vet health check. You should be able to check pedigree papers with the organisation that issued them.

7. Pay securely. Use a payment method that can be traced and pay in full when you collect. Get a written receipt or sales contract showing the seller's details, a description of the puppy, the price and the date.

8. Take the puppy to a vet within a few days. This confirms the puppy is healthy and gets you started with a vet. Keep it away from unvaccinated dogs and public dog areas until your vet says it's safe.

Questions to ask the seller

• How old is the puppy, and what is its date of birth?
• Can I see the mother — and the father, if he is here?
• What vaccinations and deworming has the puppy had?
• Has a vet examined the litter?
• Have the parents been health-tested for common problems in this breed?
• What food is the puppy eating?
• How has the puppy been socialised (people, sounds, handling)?
• Will you take the puppy back if I cannot keep it?

A responsible breeder will be glad to answer, and may ask you to sign a contract with a return policy in it.

If something goes wrong

• If you think you've been scammed, stop paying and contact your bank or payment provider immediately. Report the listing to the platform, keep screenshots, and report it to local police.
• If your puppy gets seriously ill soon after you buy it (vomiting, diarrhoea, especially bloody, lethargy or refusing food), go to a vet urgently. Read about parvo in dogs, a serious risk in unvaccinated puppies.

In Pakistan

German shepherd, husky, Labrador and toy breed puppies are often advertised on social media at prices that look too good to be true, with "cargo delivery" from another city. The usual pattern is an advance payment by mobile wallet, then one demand after another for cargo, vet certificate or "airport" fees. Insist on seeing the puppy with its mother on a live video call, or better still in person. Ask for a vaccination card with dates. And be wary of husky and other thick-coated puppies sold with no advice on keeping them cool in summer.

Want to start your search with verified sellers? Browse dog listings on Paalo.