Medium riskOnline Shopping

Pet Boarding Scam

In this scam, a fake pet boarding service, kennel, or sitter advertises great care at low prices, takes a deposit or full payment upfront, then provides no service and disappears.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Advance-deposit (fake service)
Main red flag
A cheap pet boarding or sitter booking that needs a deposit before any visit or verification.
What to do first
Visit the facility or meet the sitter and verify reviews before paying.

What to know first

In this scam, a fake pet boarding service, kennel, or sitter advertises great care at low prices, takes a deposit or full payment upfront, then provides no service and disappears.

Online shopping scams use fake stores, unbelievable deals, and counterfeit or never-delivered goods to take your money and card details. Fake sites often surface through ads and social media and pressure you with limited-time offers.

The core pattern to watch for is clear: A cheap pet boarding or sitter booking that needs a deposit before any visit or verification. Visit the facility or meet the sitter and verify reviews before paying.

Related tricks worth knowing: the Free Pet Rehoming Scam and the Vacation Rental Scam. For the wider picture, browse the Online Shopping Scams guides or run the message through our scam checker.

Scam statistics

Top category
online shopping is one of the most-reported fraud categories to the FTC
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
$1.4B
reported lost to fraud that started on social media in 2023, where many fake shops advertise
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Tell-tale red flags

  • A deposit demanded before any visit
  • Prices well below normal
  • A facility or sitter you cannot verify
  • Payment by transfer or gift card
  • Pressure citing limited spaces

Staying safe

  • Visit the facility or meet the sitter before paying
  • Verify reviews and credentials independently
  • Use reputable, established services or platforms
  • Pay by a method you can dispute

How it usually reads

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Loving pet boarding, limited spaces! Pay a deposit now to reserve your dates before they're gone.'

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 cheap pet boarding or sitter booking that needs a deposit before any visit or verification.

Steps if you already acted

  • If you paid, contact your bank or payment provider to try to recover it
  • Report the listing and provider
  • Keep messages and payment records as evidence
  • Arrange genuine care for your pet

Common mistakes

  • Do not pay deposits before visiting or verifying
  • Do not pay by irreversible methods
  • Do not let limited-space pressure rush you

Scams like this one

Medium risk Marketplace

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.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Rental

Vacation Rental Scam

This scam uses a fake or hijacked holiday rental listing, often with copied photos and a below-market price, to pressure you into paying a deposit off-platform by bank transfer for a property that is not actually available.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Online Shopping

Car Rental Booking Scam

In this scam, fake car rental websites or 'customer service' numbers offer cheap deals and take a prepayment or deposit for a vehicle, then provide no car and no refund, or harvest your card details.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Your questions answered

How do I book pet care safely?
Visit the facility or meet the sitter, verify reviews and credentials, use reputable services or platforms, and pay by a method you can dispute.
Is a cheap rate with limited spaces a red flag?
Unusually low prices plus pressure to pay a deposit before visiting are warning signs. Verify the provider first.
I paid a deposit and the service isn't real. What now?
Contact your bank or payment provider to try to recover it, report the provider, keep your evidence, and arrange genuine care.
Should I pay before meeting the sitter?
Avoid it. Meet the sitter or visit the facility and verify reviews before paying any deposit.

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.