Consumer Councils Warn Scams, Health Risks in Online, International Pet Sales

Authorities across various regions have issued warnings about scams and health risks associated with pet ownership and purchases. In Maryland, scammers impersonate animal shelter employees to extort money from pet owners by claiming their lost pets require urgent medical care, urging caution against unsolicited payment requests and encouraging verification with shelters. In Townsville, Australia, an international scam targets pet owners with fraudulent emails demanding fees for non-existent microchip registrations, prompting officials to stress that pet microchips do not expire and to verify communications directly with the council. Hong Kong's Consumer Council and Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department revealed that over 90% of online pet sellers are suspected of illegal smuggling or unlicensed breeding, with pets bought online showing higher rates of illness compared to those from licensed shops. Surveys of veterinarians indicated that online-purchased pets suffer more frequently from diseases like respiratory infections and parvovirus, highlighting significant animal welfare and public health concerns. The Consumer Council urges adopting pets from reputable sources and warns buyers to be vigilant against deceptive online sellers who often fail to provide legal documentation or health guarantees.