Lost-Pet 'I Found Your Pet — Pay Reward/Vet' Scam
After you post about a lost pet, a scammer claims to have found it and demands a reward, transport, or 'vet' payment upfront — but has no pet.
Think a message like this reached you? You can check it right now.
What this scam is
When you post a lost-pet notice (flyers, social media, lost-pet sites) with a reward, scammers call or text claiming they found your pet and ask you to send a reward, transport cost, or emergency 'vet bill' before they'll return it. Some claim to be a trucker who took the pet far away. They have no pet; details are guessed or taken from your post. The heartbreak of a missing pet is exploited for upfront, untraceable payment.
What it usually looks like
- A caller claiming to have your lost pet.
- A demand for reward/transport/vet money upfront.
- Details that seem guessed or taken from your post.
- Payment by app or gift card before any proof.
Common warning signs
- Being asked to pay before seeing your pet.
- Refusal or inability to provide clear proof (a unique feature).
- Untraceable payment demands.
- A far-away 'finder' who needs travel money.
Example wording scammers use
“I have your dog but I'm a trucker heading out of state — send $200 for gas and I'll drop him back.”
“Found your cat, she needed a vet — reimburse the $180 and I'll return her.”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- Upfront reward/transport/vet payment.
- To exploit your desperation.
- Untraceable transfers.
What to do
- Ask for specific proof only the real finder would know (an unlisted marking) before anything.
- Never send money before safely recovering your pet in person.
- Meet in a safe, public place (or at a shelter/vet).
- Withhold unique identifying details from public posts to screen finders.
What to do if you already responded
- Contact your payment app to try to reverse it.
- Report the number/account to the platform.
- Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.