On the Rise: Pet Travel Scams

In today’s digital world, pet scams and pet travel scams are becoming increasingly common. Scammers have no limits when it comes to how far they will go—or who they will target. Within the pet transportation industry, we continue to see a growing number of fraudulent schemes designed to deceive pet owners.These scams often involve fake websites that closely mimic legitimate pet transport companies, unrealistically low “transportation” quotes, fraudulent adoption or designer puppy listings, and the unauthorized use of industry logos or credentials to appear credible.The best way to protect yourself is to carefully evaluate all communication, verify credentials independently, and ask detailed questions before hiring a pet transportation service. Below are the most common warning signs to help you avoid pet travel scams.


1. Unrealistically Low Prices & Requests for Additional Fees

One of the most common red flags in pet scams is an unusually low initial price. Scammers may list a pet or transportation service for a very low cost to gain your trust.

Once you commit, they begin requesting additional fees, such as:
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- Airline baggage or cargo fees
- Vaccination or health certificate costs“Special crate” or temperature-controlled travel fees
- Airline ticket charges for pets claimed to be “too young to fly alone”
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In many cases, a pet initially advertised for a few hundred dollars can quickly turn into thousands of dollars in demanded payments. Victims are often pressured with threats, such as being reported for animal abandonment, if they refuse to send more money. If this happens, stop communication immediately and report the scam to your local authorities.

2. Requests for Payment via Gift Cards or Money Orders

A major warning sign of a pet transport scam is being asked to send payment through gift cards, money orders, wire transfers, or prepaid debit cards.

No legitimate pet transportation company or reputable breeder will ever request payment using these methods. If you are asked to pay this way, it is almost certainly a scam.

3. Fake Email Addresses, Websites, or Stolen Logos

Scammers frequently copy the logos, branding, and even email formats of legitimate pet transport companies. They may create websites that look nearly identical to trusted businesses, using similar domain names or stolen content. If a company claims to be affiliated with an industry organization, always verify this directly through the organization’s official website, not links provided by the seller. Never rely solely on logos or claims—always independently confirm contact information.

4. Pax Pet Transport Does Not Sell or Trade Pets

‍Pax Pet Transport is strictly a pet transportation service.
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We do not sell, trade, adopt out, or broker pets under any circumstances. If someone claims to represent Pax Pet Transport while offering pets for sale or adoption, this is a scam. Please contact us directly so we can assist in identifying fraudulent activity. While we are happy to help guide you, we cannot recover funds already sent to scammers.

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