Pets and Animals Travel
Complaint 8896 Details

I was searching for a new pet online (specifically a Scottish Terrier). Many sites had postings for the same "breeder" for the pet I was looking for; resulting in me contacting the "breeder." After exchanging multiple emails concerning the pet and such, I decided the pet was in my price range and we decided to go through with shipping the pet to me since it was in another state. The "breeder" put me in contact with the "traveling agency" that would be shipping the pet to me. I was instructed to pay all expenses (pet, travel, cage, etc.=$290.00) to the "agency" to speed up the process and eliminate confusion. The day the pet was supposed to arrive, the "agency" contacted me multiple times about needing insurance in order for the pet to be allowed to fly due to possible illnesses, injuries, etc. during the travel. I was instructed to use Western Union a second time to pay for $1200 insurance. However, I informed the "company representative" that I did not have sufficient funds for this and we agreed to $500 on my part and the rest covered by the "breeder." An hour later, I received more phone calls and emails claiming that the pet was sick and that if I did not send $300 more dollars to cover veterinary expenses, the pet would be quarantined and I would be held responsible for pet abuse/abandonment. I became suspicious at this point because I had just paid an insurance fee that was supposed to cover such incidences. The "representative" was extremely hostile and rude to me asking if I wanted the pet to die. I decided to try to contact the "breeder," however, the breeder refused to call me and would only answer me via email (they even made up a fake Facebook account, which I also reported). I ceased contact with the agency after seeing many other victims to this scam online and contacted Western Union (only to learn I cannot get my money back because they had already picked it up). I am extremely upset by this scam and I am doing every possible measure to make sure that no one else goes through the same ordeal (financially and emotionally).