Don’t Get Grinched by a Pet Scam This Holiday Season

Published on December 12, 2025

Illegal pet sales, online breeder scams, and lost-pet fraud are expected to spike.

SAN ANTONIO (December 12, 2025) – San Antonio Animal Care Services (SAACS) is warning residents to be on the lookout for a rise in pet-related scams during the holiday season. Adoption is always the best option, but as families search for the “perfect pet,” scammers frequently take advantage of the rush, emotions, and urgency that accompany holiday gift-giving. From illegal roadside sellers to sophisticated online fraud, these scams not only put animals at risk; they can leave families financially devastated, heartbroken and unaware that their purchase may be fueling cruel breeding practices.

Illegal and Unsafe Pet Sales

Residents are urged to think twice before buying a pet from roadside sellers, parking lots, social media listings, or online ads. These are common targets for scammers and unlicensed “backyard breeders.” Serious risks to the pets include:

• Lack of veterinary care, including missing or falsified vaccination records 
• Inbreeding or overbreeding, driven by profit rather than animal health
• Poor socialization, which can contribute to fearful, reactive, or unpredictable behavior
• Diseases or congenital issues that require expensive veterinary treatment
• Complete lack of transparency, including sellers who disappear overnight

San Antonio law prohibits animals from being sold on the side of the road, in parking lots, or other unauthorized public spaces. Additionally, any breeder selling directly to the public, either online or in person, must display all required litter and seller permits in their advertising. Local pet stores are also required by ordinance to obtain animals only from local shelters or rescues, not from out-of-state commercial breeding facilities commonly known as puppy mills.

Online Pet Scams: A Growing Holiday Threat

Scammers frequently set up fake breeder websites or social media pages featuring stolen photos of cute puppies or kittens. Many victims pay hundreds, or even thousands, only to discover the pet never existed. Warning signs include:

• Requests for deposits or delivery fees paid through Zelle, CashApp, Venmo, or gift cards
• Sellers who refuse to video chat, show the pet or their parents live
• Urgent “act now” language that plays on your emotions 
• Changing stories, fees, or inconsistent communication

Lost-Pet Scams Target Distraught Families

 SAACS is also alerting the public to a growing trend of lost-pet extortion scams. During the busy holiday season, pets may slip out accidentally as visitors come and go. Scammers often monitor social media lost-pet posts and:

• Claim they “found your pet”
• Demand money before sharing details
• Send photos of similar animals pulled from the internet
• Provide vague locations or refuse to meet in person
• Ask for “verification codes” that actually compromise your accounts

To make sure you and your pets stay safe this holiday season, there are things to watch for and ways to protect yourself. Key tips include:

• Be wary of sellers who offer pets at unsafe or illegal locations
• Avoid suspicious payment requests, changing fees, or gift card asks
• Use caution with sellers who become aggressive, rushed or evasive
• Check your neighborhood first for a lost pet as many stay close to home.
• File a lost-pet report with SAACS and search the shelter both online and in person
• Ask for a photo or video with something specific, like the pet next to a certain object
• If something feels off, always trust your instincts

The safest alternative is to adopt from a reputable source, keep fences and gates in good repair and ensure your pets are microchipped just in case they do get lost. San Antonio’s shelters, including SAACS and certified rescue partners, prioritize animal welfare, behavior, and medical care, including protective vaccinations, microchips, and sterilization. If you suspect illegal sales or a pet scam, report it to 3-1-1.