SHREVEPORT, La. – With puppy scams increasing across the country, a Louisiana woman recounts her experience of being defrauded, joining the numerous others who cumulatively lost close to $2 million in 2022, according to data from the Better Business Bureau.
The typical loss for individuals or families is around $850. Scammers exploit the emotional bond people form with the pet they believe they are purchasing.
Jenna Pettiet and her family were not initially ready to adopt another pet after losing their previous one. Once they decided to get a new furry family member, they found an online breeder through a Facebook group. The breeder had positive reviews and testimonials from other customers, and the price was appealing at just $500.
Initially, everything seemed to be going smoothly. However, the breeder later informed Jenna that the pet would need to be transported from Houston with a personal pet nanny, costing an additional $150. The story then changed, stating the dog needed to be flown in a climate-controlled aircraft, which was significantly more expensive than the initial $150.
The family tried to negotiate with the breeder, but he became increasingly frustrated when they didn’t send more money. In turn, they grew frustrated as the breeder only provided unclear pictures and videos of the pet.
Ultimately, the family realized they had been scammed and lost $650.
Robert Davis from the Shreveport Better Business Bureau advises people to take certain precautions to protect themselves. First, whether you suspect a scam or not, if the breeder is out of town, have a video chat with them and request to see the dog. Additionally, the BBB maintains a local list of scammers; you can contact them at 318-797-1330 to check if the breeder is listed.
It is recommended to work with a local breeder you can visit in person or adopt from a local organization.
Jenna and her family eventually connected with a local breeder and now have two eight-week-old mini golden doodles.
