Pet Classifieds Information - Beware of Scams

By Sophie Kininmonth · 8 Nov 2025 (updated 21 Jul 2026) ·5 min read

Pet Classifieds Information - Beware of Scams

Pet classifieds can be a useful place to browse, and plenty of genuine breeders and rescues advertise this way. They are also a favourite hunting ground for "non-delivery" scams, where you pay for an animal that never arrives. Puppy listings for popular breeds like the Shih Tzu are among the most commonly faked, because demand is high and buyers are keen. The safest approach is slow, local and verifiable: meet the dog, check the paperwork, and confirm the seller's identity before any money changes hands.^{2, 4, 5, 6}

Why puppy scams work so well

Puppy scams tend to follow the same script. A convincing ad appears, usually with stolen photos and a short, affectionate description. Once you make contact, the pressure arrives fast: a deposit to "hold" the pup, then transport or "special crate" fees, often wrapped in a story about being interstate, overseas, or needing urgent arrangements.^{1, 6} Scammers lean on payment methods that are hard to reverse, such as wire transfers or money transfer services. If a deal feels rushed, vague or strangely complicated, treat that feeling as information worth acting on.⁶

Common pet-classified scams

Most scams are variations on a few reliable tricks. Knowing the shape of them makes the next one easier to spot.

Upfront deposit for a pet that does not exist: you pay to secure the animal, then the seller disappears or keeps inventing "final" fees.^{1, 6}
Shipping and crate add-ons: you are told the pet must travel by "air-conditioned crate", with refundable insurance or quarantine-style charges added later.^{1, 6}
Seller will not allow a visit, or insists on a public handover: excuses range from "biosecurity" to "busy schedules", sometimes offering to meet in a car park rather than at the home where the litter is raised.⁴
"Free to a good home" but you pay fees: the animal is supposedly free, yet you must pay transport, administration or "processing" costs first.¹

Red flags in Shih Tzu ads (and any dog listing)

Some warning signs are loud. Others are small, repeating details that do not quite match the reality of buying a puppy responsibly.

They will not let you meet the puppy in person, or see where it is being raised. The rule is simple: do not buy blind.²
Requests for non-refundable deposits, especially early in the conversation or before you have met the dog.¹
Extra fees that appear after you agree, such as shipping, crates, insurance or customs and quarantine-style charges.^{1, 6}
Only communicates by email or text, avoids phone calls, dodges direct questions, or gives oddly generic answers.¹
Inconsistent photos, with different backgrounds, lighting styles, or "too perfect" images that look like they came from several sources.¹
Puppies advertised under 8 weeks old or ready to leave immediately. Responsible breeders keep pups with the mother and litter until at least 8 weeks.^{2, 3}
A price far below the usual range for the breed, paired with pressure to pay quickly.⁶

How to spot a legitimate pet ad

Genuine ads tend to be unglamorous. They read like practical record-keeping, not a rush job.

Clear basics: breed or cross, age or date of birth, location, and whether the pup is microchipped and vaccinated, with records to match.¹
Willingness to be visited: you can see the puppy, meet the mother (and sometimes the father, or at least evidence of him), and view the living conditions.^{2, 3}
Comfort with questions: a real breeder can talk plainly about the breed's strengths and known issues, and will ask you questions too.³
Paperwork at collection: vaccination records and microchip details should be available when you collect the puppy, or before.³

Safer ways to buy or adopt a dog online

Treat online listings as an introduction, not the transaction. The real work happens off-screen: verification, visits and calm decisions.

Keep it local where you can: choose sellers you can visit, and avoid paying for long-distance transport arranged by strangers.²
Ask for a video call if travel is not possible yet, then still plan an in-person visit before payment or collection.²
Reverse image search the photos to see if they appear on other listings or unrelated websites.⁴
Do not rush payment: be cautious with deposits, and avoid payment methods that are hard to trace or reverse, especially money transfers.⁶
In NSW, check for breeder identification and use the NSW Pet Registry tools where relevant. NSW notes that breeder identification numbers became mandatory for all breeders in the state from 1 December 2025.⁵

What to do if you suspect a scam

Act quickly, because the sooner you stop and report, the better your chances of recovering money and disrupting the seller.

Stop contact and do not pay anything further.⁶
Contact your bank or payment provider immediately if you have already sent money.⁴
Report it to Scamwatch so patterns and repeat offenders are easier to spot and disrupt.^{4, 6}
Keep evidence: screenshots of the ad, messages, receipts, phone numbers, and any bank details provided.

Alternatives to pet classifieds

If the classifieds feel like too much of a gamble, there are steadier routes to the same result.

Adopt from a reputable shelter or rescue. Rehoming organisations let you meet the animal and ask questions in a more structured setting, and you are less likely to be pushed into fast payment decisions by a stranger online.^{2, 7}

Find a responsible breeder and visit in person. Breed clubs and recognised canine organisations can help set expectations: clean conditions, transparent health information, and puppies staying with the litter until at least 8 weeks. A good breeder will talk you through the realities of the breed, not just the appealing parts.³

Final thoughts

The safest pet purchase rarely feels like a bargain or a race. It feels slow: a visit, a clear paper trail, a seller who answers questions without fuss, and a puppy you can actually meet before you commit. If any of those steps is swapped for urgency, secrecy or strange payment demands, walk away and keep looking.^{2, 4, 6}

References

Sophie Kininmonth

Dog lover and writer at My Pets Australia, sharing practical breed guides and care advice for Australian pet owners.