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Ways to help detect fraud & scammers when adopting/buying a cat

Catzzzmeow

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  • NEVER send money via Western Union.
  • If possible - get a cat or kitten that is in driving distance of your home.
  • Most breeders selling kittens or people re-homing or adopting out will communicate no problem via phone, emails or in person. If not - look somewhere else.
  • Visit the breeder’s home if they allow (some breeders have closed catteries) in order to see living conditions and the health/welfare of other pets & animals.
  • Google the breeder and the cattery… do as much online research as possible.
  • Have the person take a picture of the kitten or cat in front of a newspaper with the current date.
  • If it sounds too good to be true - it is!
  • Last but not least if your gut says something is off, it most likely is…walk away.
 

Yoda mom

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bumping this thread up for those looking at ads outside sphynxlair.
I have all adoptees. the information here was very helpful when I was looking at ads out there in cyberworld.
Never hesitate to PM me any ads you are looking at for an extra peek for red flags
 
Last edited:

BattyVision

Lairian
Joined
Feb 17, 2024
Messages
10
Points
4
  • NEVER send money via Western Union.
  • If possible - get a cat or kitten that is in driving distance of your home.
  • Most breeders selling kittens or people re-homing or adopting out will communicate no problem via phone, emails or in person. If not - look somewhere else.
  • Visit the breeder’s home if they allow (some breeders have closed catteries) in order to see living conditions and the health/welfare of other pets & animals.
  • Google the breeder and the cattery… do as much online research as possible.
  • Have the person take a picture of the kitten or cat in front of a newspaper with the current date.
  • If it sounds too good to be true - it is!
  • Last but not least if your gut says something is off, it most likely is…walk away.
Thank you Sphynx lair! Please welcome Aggie (princess Agatha)

She is one year old and her family couldn't keep her anymore :(
 

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Yoda mom

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@BattyVision , congrats, melt my heart Aggie is such a sweetie. I know she is very very special.
please, would love to see your own introduction post of Aggie so everyone can meet our newest lair family baby :) hugs n head smooches to your adorable baby girl Princess Agatha! {=
 

blindowlblues

Lairian
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Apr 26, 2024
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just wanted to note while I was looking for Dasha I corresponded with a person who gave me their ostensible street address so I felt like they might be legit. But they wanted the adopter to send $350 up front “for processing to transfer ownership to you”. Between that and the fact I felt they came on a little too strong - I felt like it was a scam and didn’t pursue. I’m glad I ended up with Dasha so it is all good. But wondered if that’s also a common way to try and scam people. When I bought Dasha she wasn’t registered with a breed registry so I don’t know if they charge a large fee - but as for her microchip from Russia, they only charged me $40 to transfer that. Most US chips do not charge a transfer fee.
 

Yoda mom

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@blindowlblues , glad you went with your gut. most certainly was red flags for a scam.

meant to be your heart aligned with sweet Dasha. thank you for sharing the info that the international chip was transferable.
I shared in another post the micrcochip look up
 
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