Scam preys on families searching for missing pets in Colorado

In Colorado, animal shelters have raised alerts about a persistent scam that has been targeting families with missing pets. Victims reported receiving phone calls claiming their pets had been injured in accidents and requiring urgent medical treatment. These calls often asked for immediate payment over the phone, which is not a practice followed by legitimate shelters. The Denver Animal Shelter emphasized that it does not contact pet owners regarding missing animals and will only accept payments made in person. Scammers have been using names and locations of actual shelters, such as the Dumb Friends League Buddy Center, to lend credibility to their calls. They have been demanding large sums of money under false pretenses, which has led to numerous individuals losing money. Reports of these scams have been emerging for several months, indicating that this issue has been affecting the community extensively and repeatedly. Officials recommend that pet owners verify any claim about their missing pets by contacting shelters directly. They urge the public to post lost pet signs and continuously check shelters’ websites for updates on lost animals, as they are usually updated frequently. Ensuring pets are properly licensed, tagged, and microchipped can also enhance chances of a speedy return in case they go missing. This widespread scam not only undermines the trust between pet owners and shelters but also adds to the emotional distress already faced by families with lost pets. The shelters are working to educate the community about these scams in hopes of preventing further incidents and protecting vulnerable pet owners from financial exploitation.