When a beloved dog or cat goes missing, most pet owners immediately turn to social media, neighborhood groups, shelters, and online lost-and-found pages for help. Unfortunately, scammers are watching those posts, too. Lost pet scams are designed to take advantage of owners during an already stressful and emotional situation, and new technology is making some of these scams more convincing than ever.
Scammers may text or call claiming they found your pet, demand money before returning them, or even pose as a veterinary clinic saying your pet was injured. In some cases, scammers are now using artificial intelligence to create realistic-looking images of a missing pet inside an emergency veterinary clinic.
At VEC Online, our emergency veterinary teams throughout Central Florida understand how frightening it can be when a pet is missing or potentially injured. We want pet owners to know how to recognize suspicious messages, verify claims involving veterinary care, and avoid sending money or personal information to someone they cannot confirm is legitimate.
Knowing the warning signs of lost pet scams before you’re faced with one can help you protect yourself during an already difficult situation while keeping your focus where it belongs: safely bringing your pet home.
How Do Lost Pet Scams Work?
Many missing pet scams begin with information that owners publicly share themselves.
When a pet goes missing, it’s natural to post several photos, your phone number, where the pet disappeared, identifying characteristics and other information that could help someone recognize them. A scammer can use those same details to make a fake story sound believable.
You may suddenly receive a text or phone call from someone claiming:
- They found your pet.
- Your pet was hit by a car or otherwise injured.
- Your pet is currently at an emergency veterinary clinic.
- They paid for your pet’s veterinary care and need to be reimbursed.
- They won’t return your pet until you send a reward or payment.
- A payment must be made immediately so a veterinarian can begin or continue treatment.
The goal is usually the same: create enough fear, urgency and hope that you’ll send money before you have time to verify the story.
AI Pet Scams Are Making Fake Photos More Convincing
One of the most concerning versions of this scam involves AI-generated pet photos.
A scammer can take photos from a missing-pet post and use artificial intelligence to generate a new image that appears to show that same dog or cat injured, lying on an examination table or being treated inside an animal hospital.
That image can feel like undeniable proof, especially when you’re desperate for information about your pet.
But a photo alone is no longer enough to confirm that someone actually has your pet.
The Federal Trade Commission has warned consumers that scammers may pretend to be an animal hospital or law enforcement agency and claim a missing pet has experienced an emergency. They may even use AI to create fake images or videos showing the pet in distress.
Warning Signs of a Lost Pet Scam
Not every message from an unfamiliar number is fraudulent. If your phone number is on a missing-pet flyer or public social media post, a legitimate person who finds your pet may need to contact you that way.
Instead of automatically dismissing an unfamiliar caller, pay attention to what they say and how they react when you try to verify their story.
1. They Immediately Ask for Money
Someone claiming to have your pet may demand a reward before they’ll meet you or provide additional information.
A person posing as a veterinary employee may say treatment cannot continue until you send payment.
Be especially cautious if you’re asked to pay using gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers or payment apps.
2. They Create a Sense of Extreme Urgency
Scammers don’t want to give you time to think.
They may tell you your pet needs surgery immediately, threaten to abandon or sell the animal, or claim you only have a few minutes to send money.
An emergency involving your pet would understandably be upsetting, but don’t allow that urgency to prevent you from verifying who you’re speaking with.
3. They Won’t Provide Verifiable Information
Ask questions.
If someone claims your pet is at a veterinary hospital, ask for the clinic’s full name and location. Then stop communicating with the caller temporarily and look up the veterinary hospital yourself.
Call the clinic using the phone number listed on its official website or another trusted source — not a phone number or link sent to you by the person contacting you.
4. They Refuse to Show Additional Proof
Ask the person to provide information they couldn’t easily obtain from your public missing-pet post.
For example, you could ask about a unique physical characteristic that wasn’t visible in the photos you shared.
You can also ask for additional real-time verification. Someone who actually found your pet should generally be willing to help establish that they have the correct animal.
5. Something Looks Wrong With the Photos
AI-generated images are becoming increasingly realistic, so don’t rely solely on obvious visual mistakes to identify them.
Still, look closely for inconsistencies such as:
- Changes in your pet’s markings
- Unusual paws, eyes or fur
- Incorrect body proportions
- Strange or unreadable text in the background
- Medical equipment that doesn’t make sense
- Details that change between multiple photos
- A collar or identifying feature that suddenly looks different
Even if an image looks completely convincing, independently verify the claim before sending money.
What Should You Do If Someone Claims to Have Your Missing Pet?
First, don’t panic and don’t send money immediately.
Ask the person for specific information about your pet and where they are located. If they claim your pet is at a veterinary clinic, animal shelter or police department, independently find that organization’s official phone number and contact it yourself.
If possible, involve another trusted person in the conversation. When you’re worried about a missing pet, it can be difficult to objectively evaluate a message that appears to offer the answer you’ve been hoping for.
You should also save screenshots, phone numbers, photos, payment requests and other information you receive. If the message turns out to be fraudulent, those records may be helpful when reporting the scam.
Be Careful With Verification Code Scams
Money isn’t the only thing scammers may want.
Someone may tell you they need to “verify” that you’re the pet’s real owner by sending a code to your phone. They then ask you to send that code back to them.
Never provide an unsolicited verification code or one-time password to someone contacting you about a missing pet.
A legitimate person who found your dog or cat does not need access to your accounts to prove that you are the owner.
Instead, use information about the animal itself to verify ownership.
How to Safely Post About a Missing Pet
Social media can be incredibly helpful for spreading the word about a missing animal, so the possibility of scams shouldn’t stop you from asking your community for help.
However, you can be strategic about what you share.
Include clear photos, your general location and enough information for someone to recognize your pet, but consider keeping one identifying detail private. A unique marking, scar, collar detail or behavioral characteristic can later help you verify whether someone contacting you has actually seen your pet.
You can also contact local animal shelters, animal control organizations, veterinary clinics and your pet’s microchip company directly.
If your pet is microchipped, make sure your contact information is current so a veterinarian or shelter can reach you if your pet is found.
What to Do If You Receive a Missing Pet Scam Text
If you believe someone is attempting to scam you:
- Do not send money or personal financial information.
- Stop communicating if the person becomes threatening or aggressive.
- Save screenshots and other evidence.
- Block the phone number or account after preserving the evidence.
- Report suspected fraud to the Federal Trade Commission.
- Contact local law enforcement if someone threatens you, claims to have stolen your pet or attempts to extort money from you.
If you already sent money, contact your bank, credit card company or payment provider as quickly as possible to ask what options may be available.
Protect Yourself From Lost Pet Scams While You Search
When a pet disappears, every call or text can bring a rush of hope. Unfortunately, scammers know exactly how powerful that feeling can be.
The rise of AI means a realistic-looking photo should no longer be treated as proof that someone has your animal. Take the time to verify the person’s story, contact veterinary hospitals or shelters independently, and never allow someone to pressure you into immediately sending money.
Being aware of lost pet scams before an emergency happens can make it easier to recognize the warning signs when emotions are running high.
At VEC Online, we know how stressful it can be when a pet is missing or potentially injured. Our team encourages Central Florida pet owners to work directly with trusted veterinary clinics, shelters, animal control agencies, and community resources throughout their search. If someone claims your missing pet has been brought to a veterinary hospital, contact that hospital directly using its verified phone number before sharing personal information or sending money.
If your pet is found injured or needs immediate medical attention, VEC’s emergency veterinary teams are available 24/7 to provide the care they need. And if you receive a suspicious message claiming someone has found your pet, remember: verify first and pay later, no matter how convincing the story, photo, or request may seem.