Animal charity warning over Facebook pet scams

An animal charity is warning islanders to be aware of scammers trying to sell puppies on social media that do not exist.

The GSPCA said it was "extremely concerned" after receiving reports of dog-selling scams on Facebook.

It warned the animals "either may not exist or could be from puppy farms".

Manager Steve Byrne said people could consult either the GSPCA or a vet for tips on how to safely find pets.

Mr Byrne said pet scams were still catching people out following a surged during the pandemic.

"Around 400-500 households in Guernsey look for a new dog and about the same look for a new cat every year," he said.

Mr Byrne said living on the islands presented "many challenges" for sourcing pets but people still needed to ensure they were not deceived and animals were bought from reputable breeders or rescue groups.

He said it was "extremely important" people verified who they were dealing with before handing over money.

"Often the best way to find an animal is to be referred by a friend [or] vet," he said.

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