Free Dogs and Cats on Facebook (and Social Media in General) — Important Info
Adding a new furry friend to the family can be exciting, but you should always be careful during the adoption process. While social media has made a lot of things easier, there are also a ton of scams out there. While there are certainly legitimate operations and individuals offering free pets on sites like Facebook, it’s important to be wary so you don’t end up losing money. In this blog, we’ll provide you with some tips about adopting a pet to ensure a safe and successful adoption process. Read on to learn more!
Adopting a Pet in Need Is a Wonderful Thing!
Firstly, congratulations on deciding to give a pet a good home! Adopting a pet is a wonderful thing that can bring joy to your life and give a pet a happy, fulfilling life with someone who loves and cares for them. When deciding to adopt a pet, you’ll have several options. You could consider adopting from a reputable animal shelter or organization in your local area. You can also find legitimate pet operations on social media, but you should be careful when going this route.
Rehoming Needy Pets
If you’re deciding to rehome a needy pet, there are some things to keep in mind. Some needy pets may have been abandoned, neglected, surrendered or even abused. These pets need a loving home and sometimes may require special attention to get them used to being in a loving environment. While adopting a pet is a selfless and compassionate decision, you must be prepared for the challenges that may come with rehoming a pet. From behavioral issues to medical needs, you should always try to understand and address their needs to ensure a successful adoption experience for both you and your pet.
Community Building
After adopting a pet, it’s a great idea to build a helpful and supportive community of like-minded pet owners. You can join pet groups, engage with fellow pet lovers, seek advice for your new puppy or kitty and maybe even set up some play dates to help them make some new friends! Overall, your community can provide you with valuable insights, help you find resources and you might even build some lifelong friendships of your own. The sense of belonging to a community and having people you can lean on can make the adoption process smoother and help mitigate some of the early obstacles you may experience when you and your new pet are getting to know each other.
But It’s Important to Be Aware of Warnings and Risks
Adopting a pet is an undoubtedly rewarding experience, but some people unfortunately take advantage of the compassion and goodwill of would-be pet adopters. Scammers may try to deceive you into sending money, while some people may intentionally sell unhealthy animals. By being cautious and taking the right steps, you can avoid the risks and scams that sometimes accompany adopting a pet online. Let’s dive into some of the specific warnings you should watch out for during this process.
Free Dog and Cat Scams
One of the most common pet adoption scams is free dog and cat listings. These scams often involve fake adoption fees, requests for personal information and other shady requests.
Typically, a free dog or cat scam will involve someone saying they need to give the pet away due to circumstances that won’t allow them to keep the pet. Although they initially offer the pet for free, they may then say they need money for shipping costs, adoption fees, healthcare for the pet or any number of excuses. They will then request money from PayPal or some other payment method. Likely, after sending the money, they will then block your profile and shut down their payment account. This leaves you without a pet and hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars. Make sure to trust your instincts and never send money to someone without taking all the necessary precautions to ensure their legitimacy.
Unhealthy Pets
Tragically, some individuals or scammers may try to sell you animals that are in poor health. This can lead to unexpected medical expenses and heartbreak if your pet becomes seriously ill or passes away. This scam typically comes in the form of puppy mills, which don’t disclose the poor conditions and bad breeding practices that take place in these mills. The websites for these puppies may even look legitimate, but generally, that isn’t the case. If you can’t see the puppy in person before buying, then it’s probably best to search elsewhere.
Fake Profiles and Breeder Pages
Many scammers will create false personas and accounts on Facebook to deceive people wanting to adopt puppies and kittens. These fake profiles often appear legitimate, but they likely will try to scam you out of money. Breeder pages, like the aforementioned puppy mills, may engage in unethical breeding practices, so keep this in mind as well. To protect yourself from these scams, make sure to do your research and due diligence to prevent giving away money or adopting an unhealthy pet.
Reporting Mechanisms
One effective way to help combat scams and fraudulent activity on Facebook is through the platform’s reporting mechanism. If you come across a suspicious profile or if you’re the victim of a scam, make sure to report it to Facebook. The platform has tools and resources in place to address these issues so the company can take appropriate action against the fraudulent individuals. By reporting these scams and profiles, you not only protect yourself, but you may also prevent another person from falling victim to them.
Precautions to Take
When it comes to adopting a free pet on Facebook, it’s important to take precautions to ensure a safe and successful adoption. Below are some of the precautions you should take:
Verification
When you adopt a pet on Facebook, it’s important to verify the authenticity and legitimacy of the seller. Look for things like clear and recent photos of the pet, reviews of the seller and other factors to help you determine if the seller is real or fake. Never hesitate to ask for additional proof, such as a video call. If the seller seems resistant to providing additional information, they may be fraudulent.
Meet in Person
One of the best ways to ensure a seller is legitimate is by setting up an in-person meeting with the seller and the pet. This lets you confirm that the pet is real and see that they’re happy, healthy and ready for their forever home.
Ask for Veterinary Records
A legitimate pet seller should also have vet records for the pet. Don’t hesitate to ask for these records so you can confirm that the pet is being given to you healthy, vaccinated and free of complications.
Conclusion
Overall, buying a pet on Facebook or online can be fairly risky. The best way to adopt a pet is typically through a local, legitimate animal shelter. However, if you do decide to adopt online, just make sure to be wary and take the necessary precautions to avoid being scammed and to ensure you adopt a healthy pet.
Resources
It’s a good idea to stay on top of the current pet scams that are prevalent in social media and online. Learn about common current pet scams: