Most people land here while trying to decide whether a puppy listing is genuine — often for a popular breed like a Shih Tzu — and whether it’s safe to pay a deposit or arrange transport. The stakes are simple: once money is sent the wrong way, it can be hard to recover, and you may end up supporting poor breeding or welfare practices without meaning to.1, 2, 6
Online classifieds can be useful for browsing, but they’re also a hunting ground for “non-delivery” scams, where the animal never arrives. The safest approach is slow, local, and verifiable: meet the dog, check the paperwork, and confirm the seller’s identity before any payment changes hands.2, 4, 5
Why puppy scams work so well
Puppy scams tend to follow the same pattern. A convincing ad appears, often with stolen photos and a short, affectionate description. Once contact is made, pressure arrives quickly: a deposit to “hold” the pup, then transport or “special crate” fees, sometimes with a story about being interstate, overseas, or needing urgent arrangements.1, 6
Scammers lean on payment methods that are difficult to reverse, such as wire transfers or money transfer services. If something feels rushed, vague, or strangely complicated, treat that feeling as useful information.6
Common pet-classified scams (and how they usually unfold)
- Upfront deposit for a pet that doesn’t exist: you pay to secure the animal, then the seller disappears or keeps inventing “final” fees.1, 6
- Shipping and crate add-ons: you’re told the pet must travel by “air-conditioned crate”, with refundable insurance or quarantine-style charges added later.1, 6
- Seller won’t 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 to look out for in Shih Tzu ads (and any dog listing)
Some warning signs are loud. Others are small, repeating details that don’t quite match the reality of buying a puppy responsibly.
- They won’t let you meet the puppy in person (or see where it’s being raised). The safest rule is simple: don’t buy “blind”.2
- Requests for non-refundable deposits, especially early in the conversation, or before you’ve met the dog.1
- Extra fees that appear after you agree (shipping, crates, insurance, customs/quarantine-style charges).1, 6
- Only communicates by email or text, avoids phone calls, dodges direct questions, or provides oddly generic answers.1
- Inconsistent photos (different backgrounds, lighting styles, or “too perfect” images that look like they came from multiple 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
Legitimate ads tend to be unglamorous. They read like practical record-keeping, not a rush job.
- Clear basics: breed (or cross), age/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 genuine 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
Online listings are best used as an introduction. The real work happens off-screen: verification, visits, and calm decision-making.
- 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 isn’t 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
- Don’t 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 also notes that breeder identification numbers became mandatory for all breeders in NSW from 1 December 2025.5
What to do if you suspect a scam
- Stop contact and don’t pay anything further.6
- Contact your bank or payment provider immediately if you’ve 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
Adopt from a reputable shelter or rescue
Rehoming organisations let you meet the animal and ask questions in a more structured setting, and you’re 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 step is replaced with urgency, secrecy, or strange payment demands, walk away and keep looking.2, 4, 6
References
- RSPCA Pet Insurance (Australia) – Tips for safely buying a pet (common scams to avoid)
- RSPCA Knowledgebase – Red flags when looking for a dog or cat online (updated 17 June 2024)
- Dogs Australia – Choosing a breeder
- Service NSW – Report a pet scam (recognise a pet scam and what to do)
- NSW Government – Buying a pet (consumer rights and tips to avoid online pet scams)
- Scamwatch – Pause to avoid a puppy scam
- Federal Trade Commission (US) – Getting a pet? Avoid scams (December 2024)
- Scamwatch – Don’t fall for a scammer’s puppy dog eyes
- Scamwatch – Puppy love and the fake classified ad (22 January 2007)
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom