How Not to Be Scammed When Buying a Puppy
Puppy scams have become increasingly common online, often targeting people who are eager to find a new companion and don’t realize how easy it is for a scammer to fake credibility. Most of these scams share the same traits — fake photos, vague details, and pressure to send money before meeting the puppy.
This page is meant to help you understand how to verify a legitimate breeder and avoid being taken advantage of.
Verify the Breeder’s Identity
A legitimate breeder should be able to tell you exactly who they are, where they’re located, and how they’re licensed or regulated.
In Iowa, any breeder with more than four intact dogs must be licensed by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), and some also hold a USDA license if they sell sight-unseen or use a transporter.
If the breeder says they’re in Iowa, you can check:
· The IDALS public license search
· The USDA public license database
· The Iowa Pet Breeders Association (IaPBA) member directory(click here), which lists verified member breeders by name and location
Matching the contact details across these databases can quickly confirm whether you’re talking to a legitimate breeder or not.
Cross-Check Their Contact Information
Scammers often use the name of a real breeder but change the phone number or email.
Before sending a deposit or sharing personal information, make sure the contact information matches across all sources — the website, IaPBA directory (if a member), USDA or state listings, and any online listings or ads.
If you find mismatched numbers, strange email addresses, or social media pages that seem recently created or incomplete, that’s a major red flag.
Ask for Their Veterinarian’s Information
Even breeders who don’t need a state or federal license should have a regular veterinarian.
Ask who their veterinarian is, then call that clinic directly to confirm they know the breeder and provide routine care for their animals. You don’t need specific medical details — just verifying that the relationship is real goes a long way in proving the breeder’s legitimacy.
If the breeder refuses to give a vet reference or provides one that can’t be verified, consider that a serious warning sign.
Be Wary of Payment Pressure
Legitimate breeders will give you time to make decisions, explain their process clearly, and use traceable, secure payment methods.
Be cautious of anyone who:
· Refuses to speak by phone or video
· Asks for payment only by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency
· Claims there’s no time to verify anything because “someone else is about to buy the puppy”
Those are classic signs of a scammer trying to rush you before you verify the details.
Look for Consistency
Consistency is one of the easiest ways to spot a real breeder. Their photos, phone numbers, and names should line up across websites, listings, and registration records.
Scammers rely on confusion — they change names, reuse stolen photos, and create fake websites that disappear overnight. Real breeders are traceable and consistent over time.
In Short
Scams thrive where oversight doesn’t exist. Iowa’s licensed breeders operate within one of the most transparent systems in the country, but even outside of Iowa, you can protect yourself by taking a few extra steps to confirm a breeder’s identity and professionalism.
Verifying a license, checking contact details, and calling the breeder’s veterinarian are simple ways to make sure your puppy is coming from a legitimate, responsible source.