Hey there, pet parents! You know the drill: you’d move mountains for your fur babies, whether they’re purring on your lap or drooling on your shoes. But did you know scammers are sneaking into your heart (and wallet) with a nasty trick? Let’s dive into the “Save Your Furry Friend” scam, so you can spot it a mile away and keep those hard-earned bucks safe!

The Sneaky Scam Breakdown

Picture this: you’re sipping your morning coffee, and BAM! You get a frantic call or text from someone claiming to be from your local animal shelter. They hit you with terrible news. Your precious Boots or Rascal has had a run-in with a car and needs emergency treatment. Oh, and it’ll only cost you $500, payable right this second!

If you’re snuggling with your pet at that very moment, you’ll know something’s fishy. But if your furball isn’t in sight, panic might set in. Here’s how to slam the door on these scammers:

Steps to Outsmart the Scammers

  1. Make a Direct Call: Grab your phone and look up the shelter’s legitimate number. Call them directly to ask about your pet’s whereabouts. Spoiler alert: you’ll likely find Boots munching kibble without a care in the world.

  2. Assess the Payment Method: Scammers will insist on quick, untraceable payment methods like cash, gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps. If you’re being rushed into using any of these, it’s a red flag waving in neon lights!

  3. Report the Shenanigans: If you sniff out a scam, don’t just brush it off. Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Whether it’s this scam or another shady pet-related scheme, sharing your experience can help protect others.

Oops, I Got Scammed—Now What?

If you’ve already sent money to a scammer, don’t beat yourself up. It happens to the best of us! Check out the FTC’s guide on what to do next to try and recover your funds.

Remember, your love for your fur babies is a wonderful thing, but let’s not let these sneaky scammers take advantage of it. Keep your wits about you, and give Rascal an extra belly rub from us!

For the full breakdown of this scam, check out the original article here: FTC Consumer Alert.

Original article: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/06/scammers-posing-spca-and-animal-welfare-staff