Medium riskMarketplace

Free Pet Rehoming Scam

In this scam, a 'free' or low-cost pet is advertised for adoption, but once you are attached the scammer demands escalating fees for shipping, a special crate, or insurance for a pet that does not exist.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Advance-fee (fake adoption)
Main red flag
A free or cheap pet that suddenly needs shipping, crate, or insurance fees paid upfront.
What to do first
Do not pay any fees in advance. Insist on seeing the pet in person or by live video first.

What to know first

In this scam, a 'free' or low-cost pet is advertised for adoption, but once you are attached the scammer demands escalating fees for shipping, a special crate, or insurance for a pet that does not exist.

Marketplace scams target both buyers and sellers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and classified listings. Fraudsters fake payments, send bogus "buyer protection" emails, push deals off-platform, or use overpayment tricks to make you ship goods or send money for nothing.

The core pattern to watch for is clear: A free or cheap pet that suddenly needs shipping, crate, or insurance fees paid upfront. Do not pay any fees in advance. Insist on seeing the pet in person or by live video first.

Related tricks worth knowing: the Puppy Sale Scam and the Marketplace Gift Card Payment Scam. For the wider picture, browse the Marketplace Scams guides or run the message through our scam checker.

Scam statistics

$1.4B
reported lost to fraud that started on social media in the US in 2023
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
Top category
online shopping is consistently among the most-reported fraud types to the FTC
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Tell-tale red flags

  • A free or very cheap pet that requires upfront shipping or crate fees
  • Escalating 'refundable' charges for insurance, vaccines, or customs
  • Requests to pay by gift card, wire transfer, or e-transfer
  • A seller who cannot show the pet live and is always 'away'
  • Copied photos that also appear on other listings

Staying safe

  • Insist on a live video call or an in-person visit before any payment
  • Search the pet's photos online to see if they appear elsewhere
  • Use a local shelter or reputable rehoming service where you can meet the animal
  • Refuse all advance fees and walk away if pressured

How it usually reads

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Our puppy is free to a loving home, you only cover shipping. The pet courier needs a $250 refundable crate deposit before flight. Pay by gift card to reserve.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What to notice: A free or cheap pet that suddenly needs shipping, crate, or insurance fees paid upfront.

Steps if you already acted

  • Stop sending money, especially any 'one last fee' to release the pet
  • If you paid by card, contact your bank or payment provider to dispute it
  • Keep all messages and receipts as evidence
  • Report the listing and account to the platform and to fraud authorities

Common mistakes

  • Do not pay shipping or crate fees for a pet you have never seen
  • Do not pay by gift card or wire transfer
  • Do not send 'one more fee' to recover money already paid

Scams like this one

High risk Marketplace

Puppy Sale Scam

This scam advertises pets at attractive prices, then asks for a deposit before you can meet the animal and keeps adding fees for shipping, crates, or insurance, while the pet does not actually exist.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Marketplace

Marketplace Gift Card Payment Scam

This scam involves a buyer or seller on a marketplace insisting on paying or being paid with gift card codes. Once the codes are shared they are drained almost instantly and are extremely difficult to recover.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Marketplace

Fake Escrow Scam

In a high-value marketplace deal, the other party insists on a specific 'escrow' or 'secure payment' website to hold the funds, but the site is fake and simply collects your money or card details.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Your questions answered

Why do these scams ask for shipping fees?
The fees are the whole point. After the first payment, scammers invent new 'refundable' charges for crates, insurance, or customs, none of which are real.
How can I adopt a pet safely?
Use a reputable local shelter or rehoming service where you can meet the animal in person, and avoid any arrangement that requires upfront fees to a stranger.
The photos look genuine. Does that help?
Photos are easily copied from real listings or breeders. Search the images online and insist on a live video showing the specific pet.
I already paid a deposit. Can I recover it?
Stop paying further fees, contact your bank or payment provider to dispute the charge, and report the scam with all your evidence.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.