How to Avoid Kitten Scams: Red Flags Every Buyer Should Know
Unfortunately, kitten scams have become increasingly common, with fake breeders stealing photos, creating fake websites, and requesting deposits for kittens that don't exist. Every year, I receive emails from families who were scammed or almost scammed while trying to buy a kitten online. The tips below are based on years of experience in the cat breeding community and countless emails from families who were scammed or almost scammed while trying to buy a kitten online. My hope is that this information helps you verify a breeder, protect your money, and safely find the perfect kitten.
🐾 10 Tips to Avoid Kitten Scams
Before sending a deposit or committing to a breeder, take a few extra minutes to work through these recommendations. A reputable breeder will never be offended by an educated buyer who wants to verify information and ask questions.
1. Contact the Breeder's Veterinarian to Verify They Are Legitimate
What's the FASTEST way to find out if someone is a kitten scammer or not?? Ask the breeder for their vets phone number. Call their vet and ask them if they are, in fact, a client of theirs and if they breed cats?? Simple! Find our vet info here.
2. Ask for a New Video to Verify the Kitten Is Real
One of the BEST tips I can give to anyone trying to avoid a kitten scam is to ask for a brand-new video of the kitten.
For added protection, ask them to say your name in the video because anyone can steal a video off another breeder's website, YouTube, or Facebook page. That is why I have started watermarking ALL of my videos (I'm sure scammers will figure out how to remove those watermarks, too).
There is no reason that ANY breeder should have any problem at all doing this for you. If a breeder refuses to provide a simple, current video of the kitten, consider it a major red flag and continue your research before sending any money.
3. Never Place a Deposit Before Verifying the Breeder
A professional-looking website does not guarantee that you're dealing with a legitimate breeder. Scammers can create beautiful websites with "Reserve Now" and "Place Deposit" buttons in just a few hours.
Before sending any money, take a few minutes to verify the breeder using the tips on this page. Call their veterinarian, ask for a new video of the kitten, verify their registration, and make sure the email address matches the one listed on their website.
In my opinion, a reputable breeder would never allow someone they've never spoken to simply click a button, pay a deposit, and automatically reserve one of their kittens. Every kitten deserves a carefully chosen home, and every family deserves the opportunity to ask questions and make sure it's the right fit. That's why all of our families complete an adoption application before placing a deposit. It gives us the chance to get to know each other, answer questions, and ensure that every kitten is going to a loving, well-prepared home.
4. Talk to the Breeder Before Sending a Deposit
One of the easiest ways to identify a kitten scammer is to ask for a phone call. In my experience, many kitten scams are operated by people outside the United States who are using stolen photos, fake websites, local phone numbers, and made-up identities. They're often very comfortable communicating through email, text messages, Facebook Messenger, or WhatsApp (although they will text in a way that shows English is not their first language) but suddenly become unavailable when you ask to speak on the phone.
I'm not saying that every breeder with an accent is a scammer—far from it. However, if someone refuses to speak with you, continually makes excuses, only wants to communicate by text, or seems unable to answer basic questions about the kitten they're supposedly selling, consider it a major red flag.
5. Verify the Breeder's TICA or CFA Registration
CALL TICA at (956) 428-8046 and ask them if the breeder's cattery is registered with them. If it's not, DO NOT SEND THEM MONEY!!! If it is, you MUST still verify that you are communicating with the true owner of the cattery. Not all breeders pay to be listed on TICA's website, which is why you should call them.
6. Verify the Breeder's Email Address Before Sending Money
It's not enough to just verify if the cattery is registered. I have had scammers on Craigslist actually steal pictures off my website and post them on Craigslist and elsewhere. They then make a fake email address that has the name of my cattery in it. They direct interested people to my website to verify that they are the legitimate breeder. People don't bother to look at the contact page with the real email because they think they are already talking to the real breeder. You must verify the email address TICA has for the breeder with the email address of the person you are communicating with.
7. Use Reverse Image Search to Detect Stolen Kitten Photos
Check to make sure the pictures they are using are really theirs. Use Google reverse image. Here's the link: https://images.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl . Just save the picture they are using and upload it. The search will show you other sites that the image is on. If you see the picture they are using on another breeder's website, it could be stolen. You would have to do some research and see who stole the picture, but it should be pretty easy to figure out.
8. Research the Breeder's Facebook and Instagram Accounts
If they don't have a Facebook page for their cattery, I would be extremely cautious!!! Everyone who has this type of business has a Facebook page nowadays. Check their Facebook and Instagram profiles. Look to see how old the page is and how many people have uploaded pics of kittens they bought from that breeder or made comments about how much they love the kitten they got from them.
9. How to Spot a Fake Kitten Breeder Website
If they don't have a website, I would be EXTREMELY cautious.
With today's AI tools, scammers can create an entire professional-looking website in just a few hours. Don't assume a breeder is legitimate simply because their website looks polished or modern.
Look at the pictures. If you see pictures that resemble each other, for example, taken in the same room or the same house, that's a good sign. Look at the kittens in the pictures; if they look nothing alike and vary greatly in age and size, that should be a red flag. You should be seeing "litters of kittens" and be able to see who the parents of each litter are.
Be cautious of websites filled with copied content, poor images, bad grammar, English not used properly, broken links, or pages that appear unfinished. Many scam websites are built quickly using stolen photos and generic text, so take a few minutes to carefully review the entire site before sending money.
Do not buy kittens off Craigslist or any similar site!!!!
10. Beware of Unrealistically Cheap Purebred Kittens
If the price of a purebred kitten is dramatically lower than that of comparable breeders, be extremely cautious.
A very common price that you will see from a scammer is $500, $800, or $1000 for the kitten, and that includes the shipping to your nearest airport. One reason they do this is that they would rather get a little money than none. People are more comfortable sending a smaller amount of money. They will also usually come up with some story once they claim the kitten has shipped, and you will need to send more money to get the kitten to its destination.
🐾 Scammers Can Steal Photos & Remove Watermarks
Unfortunately, scammers are becoming more sophisticated and are now removing watermarks from stolen photos and videos using AI and editing software. Never assume a picture is legitimate simply because it has a watermark or looks professional. Always verify the breeder using several of the tips above before sending money.
Here's one of many emails I've received about someone stealing my pictures to try and scam people out of money. I now watermark ALL my pictures and videos.
🐾 Common Kitten Scam Stories
Don't fall for the "one of our family members is sick scam. This one personally infuriates me. I was notified that a scammer had stolen pictures of my twin daughters holding our kitten, Abby, from my website and was using them to scam people. They would tell people that one of "their" daughters was undergoing chemo to treat her cancer and they needed to sell the kitten because they needed money to pay for treatment costs that the insurance didn't cover. So they weren't even claiming that they were a breeder. They were just this poor family in need of money to help their very young daughter who was fighting cancer.... disgusting.
🐾 Don't Support Backyard Breeding
Please do not support backyard breeding. It's very important that the cats are tested for genetic disease, given the best veterinary care, fed the best food, constantly interacted with, given proper medications and vaccinations, and treated with unconditional love. I can not even keep count of the number of people that have told me they bought an unregistered kitten from somewhere really cheap, and they either had major health issues, it died, or was so unsocial they could never earn the cat's trust and have them act like the loving, affectionate cats that you see from quality breeders.
🐾 Choose a Reputable Kitten Breeder
One of the biggest advantages scammers have is creating a false sense of urgency. They'll tell you that several people are interested, that the kitten will be gone within hours, or that you must send a deposit immediately to hold it.
A reputable breeder understands that bringing home a new family member is a big decision and will happily answer your questions, provide additional photos or videos, and give you time to verify their information. They want their kittens to go to wonderful homes just as much as you want to find the right breeder.
If someone pressures you to send money before you're comfortable, refuses to answer reasonable questions, or becomes defensive when you ask for verification, consider it a major red flag.
Trust your instincts. It's always better to lose the opportunity to purchase one kitten than to lose hundreds or thousands of dollars to a scam, or worse, bring home a kitten that was irresponsibly bred or doesn't exist at all.
There will always be another beautiful kitten, but taking a little extra time to do your research can save you a tremendous amount of heartbreak and ensure you find a healthy, well-socialized companion from a breeder you can trust.
If you have a few breeders in mind that you know are legitimate, here's some great information on how to choose a cat breeder to help you narrow down which one of them would be the best one to get your new furry family member from.
Everyone deserves a healthy, well-socialized, beautiful cat, and I hope this information helps you find the perfect new family member.
🐾 How to Report a Kitten Scammer
Over the years, I've received an overwhelming number of emails from people who were scammed or almost scammed while trying to buy a kitten online. Some lost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, while others caught the scam just before sending a deposit. It's heartbreaking because bringing home a new kitten should be an exciting experience, not a stressful one.
If you've encountered a kitten scammer or a fake breeder, reporting them can help protect other families from going through the same thing. Here are a few resources that I recommend:
PetScams.com
PetScams.com is dedicated to helping stop puppy and kitten scammers. They maintain a database of reported scammers and provide an easy way for victims to submit information about fraudulent websites, social media accounts, email addresses, and payment requests. Whoever took the time to create this resource is truly doing an incredible service for pet lovers everywhere.
Heads Up - SCAMMERS & Bad Bengal Buyers and Sellers (Facebook Group)
This Facebook group is another excellent resource for anyone researching a breeder or cattery. Before sending a deposit, use the group's search feature to look up the breeder or cattery name and see if anyone has shared concerns or scam reports. Members also post information about suspicious buyers and sellers, making it a valuable community resource for both breeders and families looking for a kitten.
Report the Scam to the U.S. Government
If you've been targeted by a scammer or lost money, consider reporting the incident through USA.gov's Stop Scams resources www.usa.gov/stop-scams. Reporting fraudulent activity helps authorities track scam operations, warn other consumers, and may assist with future investigations.
Every report matters. By taking a few minutes to report a scammer, you may save another family from losing their money or having the excitement of bringing home a new kitten turn into a heartbreaking experience. I hope these resources help you find a wonderful breeder, avoid scammers, and safely welcome the perfect kitten into your family.
🐾 Final Thoughts on Avoiding Kitten Scams
Finding the perfect kitten should be an exciting experience, not a stressful one. Unfortunately, kitten scams have become more sophisticated than ever, with scammers stealing photos, creating convincing websites, and pretending to be reputable breeders.
The good news is that most scams can be avoided by slowing down and taking a few extra minutes to verify the breeder before sending a deposit. Ask questions, request a current video, call their veterinarian, research their social media accounts, and trust your instincts if something doesn't feel right.
There will always be another beautiful kitten, but recovering money from a scammer can be extremely difficult. Taking the time to do your research today can save you thousands of dollars and the heartbreak of discovering that the kitten or breeder never existed.
I sincerely hope these tips help you safely find a healthy, well-socialized kitten from a breeder you can trust.
🐾 Frequently Asked Questions About Kitten Scams
How do I know if a kitten breeder is legitimate?
A reputable breeder should be willing to answer your questions, provide current photos and videos of their kittens, share their veterinarian's information, have an established website and social media presence, and be registered with a recognized cat association such as TICA or CFA. Never be afraid to verify everything before sending a deposit.
What is the fastest way to spot a kitten scam?
In my opinion, the fastest way is to ask for the breeder's veterinarian's phone number and call the clinic yourself. Confirm that the breeder is an active client and that they breed the type of cats they claim to breed. A legitimate breeder should have no problem providing this information.
Why should I ask for a new video of the kitten?
Photos and old videos can easily be stolen from another breeder's website or social media page. Asking for a brand-new video with your name spoken in the video is one of the easiest ways to confirm that the breeder actually has the kitten in their possession.
Should I trust a professional-looking website?
No. Modern AI tools make it possible for scammers to create beautiful websites in just a few hours. Never assume a breeder is legitimate simply because their website looks professional. Always verify the breeder using multiple methods before placing a deposit.
Are low-priced purebred kittens a red flag?
They certainly can be. While every breeder sets their own prices, extremely low prices combined with free shipping, pressure to send a deposit immediately, or limited communication should make you proceed with extreme caution. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
What should I do if I think I've found a kitten scammer?
Stop communicating with them and do not send any money. Save screenshots, emails, payment requests, and website information. Report the scam to resources such as PetScams.com and USA.gov, and consider sharing the information in breeder scam awareness groups to help protect other families.
What is the fastest way to verify a kitten breeder?
Ask for the breeder's veterinarian's phone number and call the clinic yourself. Confirm that they are an active client and that they breed the type of cats they claim to breed. It's one of the quickest and easiest ways to verify a breeder before sending a deposit.
Why do reputable breeders ask so many questions?
A responsible breeder isn't just selling a kitten—they're placing a family member into a lifelong home. Many reputable breeders use adoption applications, phone conversations, or interviews to make sure their kittens are going to loving, well-prepared families. In my opinion, a breeder who allows anyone to instantly click a button and reserve a kitten without any conversation isn't taking the placement process seriously.
Can scammers steal photos and videos from real breeders?
Absolutely. Scammers regularly steal photos, videos, testimonials, and even entire websites from legitimate breeders. That's why it's so important to verify the breeder, ask for a current video, call their veterinarian, and research their online presence before sending a deposit.