We’ve been talking about getting a dog for a while. We figured we’d wait until the kids were a bit older and, all of sudden, we realized that they were already older (7 and 10) and that if we didn’t get a dog soon they’d go much of their childhood without one. Camila, in particular, has been asking for a dog for a LONG time. Last year I promised her I’d get her one if she didn’t whine until the summer. She actually managed to do that (though I had to remind her each time). The weekend before last, for some reason Mike told her that we could get a dog now – so I started looking.
The kids didn’t care too much about what type of dog we got, but I was pretty adamant that it had to be cute. For me, that meant no mutts (let’s be honest, most of them are ugly), no hounds or other skinny dogs and no small dogs – they are just too precious. Going through the breeds of dogs that I could actually find around here, I ended up deciding it had to be a Goldern or Labrador retriever, a German or Australian Shepherd, a Siberian Husky or a Border collie. I had originally wanted a grown dog – so I wouldn’t have to house train it – but Mike wanted a puppy or a young dog, so that’s what I started to look for.
I first started looking on Petfinder, a wonderful website that lists adoptable pets from shelters and rescue groups throughout the country (and more important, the Bay Area). But I quickly realized my chances of finding a dog with those characteristic were minimal. Plus the rescue groups, in particular, have pretty onerous adoption processes that include “thorough” questionnaires and home visits, I definitely didn’t want to bother with that. Plus adoption “donations” for these groups can be as high as $250!
My next place to look was Craigslist. Some shelters advertise here, but there are also ads from people re-homing their dogs and selling puppies. Now, Craigslist doesn’t allow people to actually sell dogs but they allow “small” re-homing fees, but what constitutes “small” seems open to interpretation. Anyway, most of the puppies we called about seemed to be in the $150 to $400 range. Unfortunately, Craigslist didn’t have any puppies I wanted when I looked, though they do add new ones daily.
By searching around the net, I then came across oodle marketplace, an online classified website. Here I found lots of listings for puppies at very reasonable prices (about $200-300). I hurried to e-mail the owners, asking for more information on the puppies as well as pictures. Almost immediately the replies started coming. I wrote to seven people, and got five replies back. All of those were SCAMS. I’m copying the responses below though they are pretty much the same:
- They are all written in bad English (typical of Nigerian scams)
- They all offer say their puppies are AKC registered, yet the puppies are free or too cheap
- The puppies all come with equipment, guarantees or other things that cost money
- They claim that what they most care about is a good home for the puppies and send a long questionnaire.
As I’m a big fan of reading scam baiter e-mail threads (and I have to recommend them to you, the baits are soo funny though sometimes really cruel), I could tell from the first e-mail that it was a scam. A quick google search for the e-mail address led me to many ads offering all sorts of puppies for sale, in many cities. But how did the scam work?
Another quick search leads to the answer: the scammer tells you that she’s no longer in your city but she’ll be more than happy to mail you the puppy. All you have to do is pay for the shipping (or a low price that includes shipping), directly to the shipping company. The shipping company they’ll use is a fake and requires payment by Western Union or Moneygram (which will be untraceable to them once they receive it).
Personally, I don’t know why anyone would buy a puppy sight unseen (even from a reputable breeder) but these scams must work because they continue doing them.
Oh, well. At least scam baiters are having fun with these scams, this one is hilarious. And as for me, I went back to Craigslist and got a gorgeous German Shepherd puppy from a private party for a very reasonable price.
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Jan 10 (6 days ago)
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your proposing in purchasing my puppies,I still have two left one male
and one female. But the question is that will the puppies be able to
find a lovely home with you?Do you have enough time to spend with the
puppies and care for them?If so i will be very glad and happy to give
out the puppies to you. The puppies are 11 weeks old presently.Will
you take the two puppies or just one ? Unfortunately I can’t look
after the puppies any longer due to the mobile nature of my new Job so
i can’t corp in taking care of the puppies any more that is the prime
reason for me giving out the puppies .This is how i have made up my
mind through prayers and pains taking efforts in search for a reliable
caring person to take good care of the puppies.The little babies have
had current vaccination,vet check,health certificate and 1 year health
guarantee and the are AKC registered.They are potty trained,home raise
and socialized for tremendous attitude. .I will be very glad to have
you as a good caring parent for the puppies only if you can take good
care of the puppies as your own babies. Actually money is not what
matters, but to find a good caring and loving person. If you are
interested in giving these puppies a wonderful home kindly Provide
answers to the following questions…
Have you ever own a pet before?
Do you have any kids ?
Have your ever own this breed of puppy before?
Why are you interested on this breed?
Do you want to adopt one or both?
what sex are you interested in taking?
How soon do you need the puppies over?
Where are you located?
Do your kids love the coming of these puppies?
Can you please conform the name of the breed?Sorry for all the question , but i just want to be sure that the puppies are
going to the right home and they will be having all the love and
attention they need ..please get back to me with the answers.
waiting for your kind responds.
regards
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Jan 11 (6 days ago)
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and 2 Female,Names,Joe,Mimi, and Lee..All pup pies are hand raised and
home trained with all papers,Puppies are KC registered and are healthy
as can be!
What comes with your new puppy? Patty’s Puppy,* Puppy Care Package
* Registration Papers
* Shot & worming records
* Dewclaws done
* Collar & Leash
* Micro Chip
* Written Health Guarantee
* Sample of NUVET
Before proceeding, i will like to know the following
from you.:
Do you have kids………?
If so,are they good with pets…………?
If Not then Do you have some one that will always play
with the puppy………….?
Have you ever raised (Owned) a puppy before?
Do you Own Other Pets…………?
How is your Working Schedule?
Are you getting the puppy For your Self or for Some
one Else…………..?
Do you own a house if so Do you have something like a
playground(Back Yard) where you can take the puppy to play on………….?
If not then is there some where like a A Park Near
Your Home Where You can take the puppy On Short Walks?
Do you want to Breed…………?
How Soon Do you Want the puppy……………….?
Where are you located…………….?
I will be happy to get these details from you so that
it can guard me in making a manual which the puppy can take along
which will guard you on basics of taking care of the puppy and also
basics on feeding.
Thanks
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Jan 10 (6 days ago)
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Hello,
Thank you for contacting me in regards to my Puppies that i am giving out for free home adoption, first i will like to tell you how happy i feel seeing that there is some one outside there that is very interested and happy to get this lovely puppies re-home, they are registered with the following animal registration clubs that’s Akc,Ckc, kc and they are veterinary checked and vaccinated and have all health records till date and housing documents, well i will also like to tell you why am adopting this lovely puppies for Free adoption,the main reason is because of my working condition. My time table was change so right now i work from Monday to Saturday and my only resting day is Sunday which i am quite busy with church Activities. So there is no one home to carter for them so for that reason i really love some one to take good care over this little Angel, so that’s why i want them to go to any caring and loving home that will care and carter for them.And they are so sensitive and possesses for following:
______________
– The are house Trained and Potty.
– They do not bark a lot.
– They eat 2 times daily and at afternoons they drinks Milk .
– They are socialized with kids and other house hold pets like,cats , birds dogs etc
– They likes to be carried a lot and be spoiled.
– The likes to be kissed .
– The gets angry when you shout at them, so don’t do that.
– They are 12 Weeks old and weighs 3,5 ibs
They have been vaccinated and registered with all the pet registrations and will come to you with all this documents and papers and also their crates. they will also come along with the following documents ,
* AKC /KC Documents.
* Pedigree.
* Age Level Potty Training.
* Puppy Contract/Guarantee.
* Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
* Micro-Chipped (In case ever lost or stolen).
* Current on all vaccinations.
* De wormed.
* Puppy Packet ( Vaccination sch5916edule and history, Crate Training info., Potty Training info.)
* Travel Crates.
Please If you have any more question to ask i will answer you truthfully and faithfully
.I would like to ask you some few questions if you don’t mind.
1) How often would you take them to the VET for check-ups?
2) Have you had pets before?
3) Are you sure you can take good care of my babies if you get them?
4) Which do you need male or female or even both?
5) Were are you located?
6) How good is your surrounding?
7) Do you have kids?
Sorry for too many question,but i just want to be sure that my puppies will be going to the right home so i will be waiting to read back from your sooner.
God Bless You.
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Jan 12 (5 days ago)
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My puppies are well trained, Registered,House broken,potty trained
and love the companion of grown ups,kids and house hold
pets.They are hand raised and home trained with all papers……has
been fully checked, and well tamed too..they are close
ringed……closed bonded and vet checked with up to date vet
records..they are ready to go to any lovely home.i am looking for a
good home that will meet up any requirements.They are 11weeks
old.Well, I will like to ask you the following questions.Then get
back to me as soon as you can with answers and questions if you have any:.
-Have you ever lived with a puppy?
-do you have an acre of land, or again where they can always play around?
-Are you aware of the love and attention that puppies need?
-is every one in your home fully committed to the adoption of a new pet?
-what about if you know any good vet in your area?
-Where exactly are you located and how soon do you need a puppy?The reason am giving these two puppies out is because am a voluntary
worker with W.H.O working with the old and retired so its takes most
of my time for these few months i have been so busy that i can take
care of the puppies and my daughter who used to take care of them has
gone back to the University where she studies Animal Husbandry,so the
puppies are now left alone when am out and i can be out from Morning
till evening or in some cases i come back home to look after them but
i think that’s no ample time taking care of them so i need a good
loving and caring home that can take good care of them.So if you wish
you can take both or one of the puppies,i am giving the puppies for
$300 each including home delivery to your home.So please
do get back to me with answers to my questions and the sex of my
puppies you need so that i can send to you recent pictures of the
puppy of your choice.
My best regards waiting for your response asap
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Jan 11 (6 days ago)
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I acknowledge receipt of your mail . Thanks for your interested towards my lovely puppies . They are two left(one male ad one female ) from a litter of six and they are by names Sniper and Icy . They are 11 weeks old now .The little babies have had current vaccination,vet check,health certificate and 1 year health guarantee and they are AKC registered.They are potty trained, home raise and well socialized .they will be great dogs that fits their size in future. They are smart, healthy, very happy and friendly. Puppies are wee wee pad trained already.Ready now for their new homes!.One year health guarantee, Vet checked, current on vaccinations and worming. Birth Certificate included. Registered with papers. Excellent health guaranteed . they are assertive , energetic , affectionate and playful little babies.They love to play with toys and children and love attention and affection from their family. While very responsive in obedience training.they are extremely smart and learns fast and easy and is a pleasure to train . they easily gets along well with other animals, even cats and adores children. will bark to announce the arrival of strangers making them excellent watchdogs, but its simply to alert you, and this type of dog is very friendly towards people.My puppies are raised with lots of love and TLC .they need to be brushed and combed to maintain their beautiful hair. . You might be wondering why i am giving the puppies for adoption . Firstly i will like you to know a little about me,I am an Electrical Engineer and not a breeder.The person who was breeding these puppies was my wife but i lost her a couple of months ago in a surgery operation.I had no intention in selling these puppies .But the, puppies are so lonely at home since i got up very early in the morning go to work and only come back home in the evening and some times late at night.So i was advised by one of my friends to offer the puppies for home adoption. I had difficulty to decide to do so.The litter was made up of six puppies but i have succeeded in given away four of the so there are just two left now a male and female.they will go only to loving and approved homes.Well re homing any of these puppies means you are taking him or her for an everlasting home.before i let you have the any of the puppies , i will like you to answer me some of the questions below
Have you ever own a pet before?
Do you have any kids ?
Have your ever own this breed of puppy before?
Why are you interested on this breed?
How soon do you need the puppies over?
Where are you located?
Will you take the both puppies or just one?
If you will take one puppy what sex are you interested in re-homing?
Will all your family members welcome one of these puppies ?
Are you interested in breeding any of the puppies?
What breed are you interested in ??(Just to know what you are looking for ??
Sorry for all the question , but i just want to be sure that the puppies are going to the right home and they will be having all the love and attention they need .
Thanks and waiting to read from you ASAP
Shoot. I recieved the exact same email from babarajay11@yahoo.com. Back to the drawing board then. Thanks for the Info!!
Got the same email from
andrevox5096@gmail.com
Same thing here… email address she’s using is: kathyvat1@gmail.com. Multiple listings for various breeds. Said we have to pay the shipper directly. SCAM!
I received a similar email from steveortizcm@gmail.com
Some other emails there using are dianakimberley12@gmail.com and faustorodriguez0001@gmail.com
My wife saw a listing on craig list for Husky puppies yesterday. Post seemed to have been taken down since. Email it referenced was faustorodriguez0001@gmail.com.
faustorodriguez0001@gmail.com. is back up and posted on Criags list in Mississippi. I almost fell for it sadly
This is Another Scammer. His names are William Hernandez and sleepywld@gmail.com
Their email: dianakimberley12@gmail.com
“Hello,
Thanks for the mail .I quite appreciate your interest on you proposing
to purchase my puppies,I still have Two left . one male and one female..
But the question is that will the puppies be able to find a lovely home
with you?Do you have enough time to spend with the puppies and care for
them?If so i will be very glad and happy to give out the puppies to you.
The puppies are 12 weeks old presently.Will you take the two puppies or
just one ?The little babies have had current vaccination,vet checked,health
certificate and 1 year health guarantee and they are registered.They are
potty trained,home raise and socialized for tremendous attitude. .I will be
very glad to have you as a good caring parent for the puppies only if you
can take good care of the puppies as your own babies. Actually money is not
what matters, but to find a good caring and loving person. If you are
interested in giving these puppies a wonderful home kindly Provide answers
to the following questions…
Have you ever owned a pet before?
Do you have any kids ?
Have you ever own this breed of puppy before?
Do you want to adopt one or both?
what sex are you interested in taking?
How soon do you need the puppies over?
Where are you located?
Do your kids love the coming of these puppies?
Sorry for all the question , but i just want to be sure that the puppies
are going to the right home and they will be having all the love and
attention they need .please get back to me with the answers. Waiting for
your kind responds.”