North Carolina Among Top States in Puppy Scam Money Losses

As the holiday season approaches, some families eagerly search for the perfect Christmas puppy. According to Veternarians.org, the demand for "puppy for sale" experienced a surge in December. However, this scenario often takes a heartbreaking turn, as unsuspecting people become victims of online puppy scams.

Amid the holiday cheer, the excitement of finding a furry friend can lead to disappointment. Many people, despite sending money to supposed sellers, find themselves empty-handed with no puppy or any form of follow-up communication.

The latest data from Veterinarians.org reveals a concerning trend in 2023. Americans have collectively lost over $1 million to puppy scams, as reported to the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The period from January 1, 2023, to October 31, 2023, witnessed over a thousand reported cases, prompting Veterinarians.org’s Special Reports Team to identify states with the highest monetary losses from puppy scams.

Defining a puppy scam as an interaction with fraudulent websites or social media listings, the team discovered that California topped the list with nearly $90,000 lost to puppy scams. Victims in this state faced an average loss of $1,206. Other states in the Top 5 include Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania, where losses ranged from $750 to over $900 per scam.

According to the study, North Carolina ranks in spot number 10 with $25,196 in losses statewide. It was also revealed that the state’s average amount lost per victim is $586.

It's worth noting that the reported numbers may only scratch the surface of the issue. Among the 1,000-plus puppy scam reports filed with the BBB, 21% of victims chose not to disclose their state of residence, contributing to over a quarter of a million dollars in losses ($233,718).

Common issues appear in reports to the Better Business Bureau when dealing with online puppy purchases. Sellers often prevent in-person visits or fail to provide sufficient images or videos of the puppy. They ask for upfront payment through various methods, including Western Union, MoneyGram, Zelle, Cash App, or gift cards. Also, additional payments may be requested for items like shipping crates, vaccinations, or insurance.

Warning signs also include breeders' websites lacking information about the puppy's parents, an inability to provide health records or AKC Certification, and unusually low prices for purebred puppies.

While online platforms like Facebook Marketplace are popular for finding puppies, they are often linked to reported issues. Alternatives, such as local animal shelters and rescue groups, offer the chance to meet and assess a potential pet in person, ensuring a safer and more transparent adoption process.

Check out the complete study here.

The ideal way to spend the holidays is in the company of family and friends rather than dealing with a visit to the veterinary hospital. As Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve approach, the experts in toxicology at Pet Poison Helpline are warning pet lovers about the numerous hazards that pets may encounter during this holiday season.

"We receive more potential poisoning calls in November and December than any other time of the year," said Dr. Renee Schmid, a senior veterinary toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline, in a press release. "Some of the biggest threats during the holidays are toxins that are prevalent throughout the entire year, like lilies, chocolate, xylitol, and medication, but there are many toxic items that are specific to the holidays, such as eggnog."

Pet Poison Helpline shared a distressing incident from last Christmas. One involves someone's two cats, who fell seriously ill after nibbling on a lily from a holiday bouquet.

During the previous winter in Indianapolis, a puppy was poisoned by ingesting half a cup of ice melt. The main concern for the medical team was the sodium chloride. Apparently, this can cause severe gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system signs, according to the Pet Poison Helpline.

Another significant holiday danger is chocolate, with the added threat of xylitol. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is another dangerous toxin that can be combined with chocolate. With the increasing legalization of marijuana in many states, the Pet Poison Helpline has observed a rise in cannabis-related calls. While THC's toxicity level is considered mild for dogs and cats, it can still have significant effects, they said.

Medications are a major year-round toxic threat. They become even more hazardous during the holidays when visitors may bring unknown medications into your home. "Of all the calls we receive at Pet Poison Helpline, animals ingesting human medications is one of our most common," noted Dr. Schmid.

Pet Poison Helpline recounted an incident a few days before last New Year's Eve. It involved an Alaskan Malamute puppy who ingested a Percocet, a pain reliever containing a combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone. A visiting relative dropped the pill on the floor, and although it was unfortunately found by the dog. Happily, she was treated promptly and made a full recovery. However, the outcome could have been much worse. If you have holiday guests, they suggest reminding them to keep their medications out of reach of family pets and children.

Holidays create more opportunities for pets to come in contact with various toxins. Pet lovers need to be extra vigilant. This is especially true when around new people or environments.

Certain foods can be challenging for your pet's digestive system. Turkey skin, chicken skin, and gravy are high in fat, potentially leading to vomiting or diarrhea after ingestion. The Family Veterinary Clinic emphasizes that a diet rich in fatty foods can inflame your pet's pancreas, an important component of their digestive system.

During the cooking process, bones lose moisture and become brittle. While it might seem natural to give your dog a bone, it is crucial to avoid all cooked bones. Cooked bones can splinter, posing a risk of serious injury by getting lodged in your pet's throat or digestive system. If your dog ingests cooked bones, the American Kennel Club recommends consulting your veterinarian for advice or scheduling an appointment to rule out any serious consequences.

Chocolate contains toxic components such as caffeine for dogs and cats. Despite being a well-known fact, it remains one of the most common causes of dog poisoning. Ingesting chocolate may lead to vomiting or diarrhea in dogs, and in severe cases, it can result in arrhythmias or seizures. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, dogs cannot metabolize theobromine and caffeine as efficiently as humans, making them more sensitive to these chemicals.

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All members of the onion family or closely related varieties (shallots, garlic, scallions, etc.) contain components that can harm red blood cells in cats and dogs. Even a small amount can cause gastrointestinal irritation. Purina warns that these vegetables contain a highly toxic compound called N-propyl disulfide for dogs, leading to the breakdown and eventual destruction of red blood cells, potentially causing anemia. In extreme cases, onion poisoning can be fatal for dogs.

While it may seem like common sense not to give your dog alcohol, unattended drinks at gatherings pose a risk. Holiday drinks are often sweet, and curious pets may inadvertently consume alcohol. According to Amical Emergency Care, alcohol toxicity is a common pet poisoning that can result from ingestion, skin absorption, or inhalation of alcohol or alcohol-containing products. Pets with severe poisoning are at risk of death.

Raisins and grapes are not commonly known to be poisonous to animals. However, they can cause kidney failure in dogs, as noted by the American Kennel Club. Initial signs of poisoning include vomiting and hyperactivity. Make sure all desserts, fruitcakes, and fruit baskets are kept out of your pet's reach to prevent accidental ingestion.