- Social media users targeted by pet scammers, advice to check page transparency
- Same consumer protections apply to pets as other purchases
- 'Adopt, Don't Shop' message to give rescue animals a second chance
Families looking to welcome a new pet in the lead up to Christmas are being urged to steer clear of scams and remember their consumer rights.
So far this year, Consumer Protection has received 41 complaints about pet sales, of which nearly half involved consumers receiving animals with health issues. Other issues included breeders keeping deposits for undelivered litters, making false claims about a breed or pedigree, and animals failing to meet advertised descriptions.
Additionally, 16 Western Australians have fallen victim to pet scams, losing a total of $23,654 to date in 2024, according to reports received by WA ScamNet.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Trish Blake warns pet-buyers to be particularly careful on social media where fake breeder profiles are prevalent.
"Preying on animal lovers, these scammers create fake social media profiles, stealing photos and videos of real pets to pose as legitimate breeders and often lure in their victims with cheap prices," Ms Blake said.
"While the $23,000 lost in WA this year may seem like a small amount compared to other scam types, it's important to remember this is hard-earned money stolen from people who were desperate to bring a new pet into their lives, but were instead met with heartbreak and disappointment.
"There are some tell-tale signs a social media page is fake - for instance, if it was created recently, it's most likely a scam.
"Another great tip is to check the profile's 'about' section and look at the page transparency - if they've changed their profile name multiple times, it's a major red flag for scams. Fake pages are constantly changing to suit the newest scam trends.
"It is recommended to perform a reverse image search on photos from the listing and seller's profile, which can help identify if the images have been used elsewhere.
"Also beware of sellers who only accept direct bank transfer and not credit card or PayPal, which provide stronger protection if the pet isn't delivered."
Beyond the risk of scams, consumers who notice a genuine problem after bringing a new pet home are reminded about the protections available under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
Under the ACL, pets sold by breeders, private sellers operating in trade or commerce and pet stores must match their advertised description, be of acceptable quality, free from significant health issues, and have a typical lifespan for their breed. Traders must also fulfill any specific promises made regarding the animal's pedigree, condition, performance or characteristics.
"If something goes wrong, you could be eligible for a remedy, ranging from partial to full refunds, and potentially even reimbursement for expenses, while still being able to keep your much-loved pet," Ms Blake said.
"To make sure your new pet comes with consumer guarantees, be sure to purchase from reputable local breeders or pet stores, and only commit once you have met it first to avoid supporting a puppy farm or other poor breeding practices.
"Alternatively, adopting a pet from a shelter or rescue organisation is a wonderful way to provide a loving home for an animal in need."
Consumers wishing to adopt, foster, or to find tips on pet ownership and looking for a breeder, can visit pets.wa.gov.au
Rescue animals come desexed, microchipped, vaccinated, checked by a vet and importantly their characteristics and behaviour are known to the rescue organisation to facilitate the rehoming.
Scam reports can be lodged via the WA ScamNet website
