Beware of puppy scams

[Catherine]

Right now people want puppies. They want them very badly and that clouds their judgment. They answer online ads and send money for puppies they never receive.  Sometimes the seller actually has a puppy to sell, but takes money from a number of people for the same puppy. Sometimes there is no puppy.
However it is done, people put out a lot of money and get nothing in return.


https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/families-outra...-1.5215964

This has become a serious problem. People are looking at a cute puppy picture and sending off money. They have no guarantee that there even is a puppy. 
They rush into it because the seller says the puppies are going fast or because the price is good.
Remember the rule: If it sounds to good to be true, it is too good to be true.

It is still better to adopt than shop. If you do buy a puppy online use some common sense. Don't just send money off to a stranger.  See the puppy in person before you pay for it.  Maybe the owner could send copies of vet receipts and vaccination records. However the sale is handled, use common sense and money caution.
If we let them, scammers will continue to exploit would be dog owners and there is no guarantee that they are not exploiting the dogs too.