Looking for a dog online? Be extremely cautious. My recent search for a new Boston Terrier—after a year without one—opened my eyes to the rampant dog scams on platforms like Facebook. I joined a local dog group and was quickly messaged about a puppy.

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I was searching for a new Boston Terrier and had a close call with a dog scam while using Facebook. The warning signs were impossible to ignore: a suspicious DM with a constantly changing puppy story, a refusal to meet locally, and a firm demand for cash only. I immediately cut contact. Thankfully, my search ended well when a friend directed me to the local Humane Society, where I safely adopted my wonderful new dog, Debbie. To avoid dangerous online scams, always choose a reputable person, vet referral, or a local Humane Society.
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What started as a promising lead quickly became a string of red flags:
Weird Meetup Location: The seller insisted on meeting in a neutral town that was farther away from both of us.
The Story Kept Changing: The initial tale about a single deaf puppy suddenly changed to two available sisters.
Cash Only: The biggest warning sign was the refusal of a check and the demand for a large amount of cash, raising fears of a potential robbery.
Suspicious Contact: I realized I hadn’t even been approved for the Facebook group yet, suggesting the person may have simply targeted me after seeing my past with Boston Terriers.
I listened to my gut, blocked the person, and left the group.
The good news? My story had a wonderful, safe ending. A friend tipped me off about a three-year-old Boston Terrier at the local Humane Society. We rushed over, met her, and brought home the sweetest dog, Debbie.
The Takeaway: Skip the uncertainty and potential danger of social media. When looking for a pet, always choose a reputable person, vet referral, or a local Humane Society to ensure the process is genuine and your safety is never compromised.