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How to Spot a Backyard Cat Breeder or a SCAMMER
Spotting Fake Cat Breeder Website’s, Pages, and Accounts: Protecting Yourself from Scams
The allure of a fluffy kitten or a majestic purebred cat can be strong, and unfortunately, so are the tactics of scammers who prey on this desire. With the rise of social media and online marketplaces, it’s crucial to be vigilant and learn how to identify fake cat breeder pages and accounts. Falling victim to these scams can lead to financial loss, emotional distress, and the disappointment of not getting the furry companion you were hoping for.
Obviously we hope you verify your breeder through http://www.verifiedBreedersDirect.com
Here are some key red flags to watch out for when encountering cat breeder pages and accounts online:
1. Unrealistic Pricing and “Too Good to Be True” Deals:
* Extremely low prices: Purebred kittens from reputable breeders often come with a significant price tag reflecting health testing, lineage, and care. If a kitten is priced drastically lower than the average for the breed, it’s a major warning sign. Google the average kitten price for your breed!* “Free” kittens with just shipping costs: This is a classic scam. The “shipping costs” are often inflated, and you’ll likely never receive a kitten.
2. Suspicious Communication and Lack of Transparency:
* Generic or overly enthusiastic language: Be wary of messages that are overly eager, use generic greetings, and lack specific details about the kittens or the breeding process.
* Pressure to send money quickly: Scammers often create a sense of urgency, claiming other people are interested and pushing you to make a deposit or full payment immediately without proper vetting.
* Refusal to video call or meet in person: Legitimate breeders are usually happy to schedule video calls to show you the kittens and their environment. Some catteries that are open will also often arrange in-person visits (once kittens are old enough and safe). Excuses for not doing video calls or in person visits once kittens are old enough are a red flag. Some breeders may be concerned with privacy of their home, so request a meet-up at the kittens regular vet. Any breeder should be able to accommodate.
* Poor grammar and spelling: While occasional typos can happen, consistently poor grammar and spelling can indicate a lack of professionalism and potentially a scam.
* Using generic email addresses that lack cattery association Reputable breeders typically have a website with an email address associated with their Cattery Name.
3. Dubious Visuals and Lack of Information:
* Low-quality or blurry photos/videos: Scammers often use stolen images. Low-quality or blurry visuals could be an attempt to hide inconsistencies.
* Stock photos or images that appear to be taken from the internet: Perform a reverse image search on any photos provided. If the same images appear on multiple websites or social media accounts with different names, it’s a clear indication of a scam.
* Lack of detailed information about the kittens and parents: Legitimate breeders provide information about the breed, lineage (often mentioning registered catteries), health testing of the parents, and the kittens’ personalities. A lack of such details is suspicious.
* No information about the cattery or location: Reputable breeders are usually proud of their cattery and will provide information about their location (even if they don’t allow public visits for biosecurity reasons). A lack of this information is concerning.
4. Inconsistent or Missing Credentials:
* No mention of breed registration (e.g., CFA, TICA): If you’re looking for a purebred cat, the breeder should be able to provide information about their registration with a recognized breed association.
* Lack of health testing information: Responsible breeders conduct health testing on their breeding cats for genetic diseases common in the breed. They should be transparent about these tests and provide documentation if asked.
* No references or testimonials: While new breeders might not have extensive testimonials, established reputable breeders often have references from previous buyers or other breeders.
5. Unusual Payment Methods:
* Requests for payment via untraceable methods: Be wary of requests for payment through methods like gift cards, wire transfers (like Western Union or MoneyGram), or cryptocurrency for initial deposits or full payments. Reputable breeders typically use more secure and traceable methods like PayPal (with buyer protection) or bank transfers.
Protecting Yourself:
* Do your research: Look for reputable breeders registered with recognized breed associations. Check their websites, read reviews, and see if they are active in breed-specific communities.
* Verify information: If a breeder claims to be registered, contact the relevant breed association to verify their membership.
* Ask for references: Don’t hesitate to ask for references from previous buyers.
* Insist on a video call and in-person visit (when appropriate): This is the best way to see the kittens and the breeding environment firsthand.
* Never send money without seeing the kitten and verifying the breeder’s legitimacy.
* Be wary of social media accounts with very few followers or recent activity.
* Trust your gut feeling: If something feels off, it probably is.
By being aware of these red flags and taking proactive steps to verify the legitimacy of cat breeders, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to online scams and ensure you find a healthy and well-socialized feline companion from a responsible source.
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