It’s very sad that even someone who wants to buy a puppy, can be victims of scams and greed.
If you’re looking for a Morkie, that magical blend of Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese dog, the search can be challenging. You want to avoid puppy mill dogs and unscrupulous breeds, and now there’s a whole new level of greed: the free puppy scam.
The more you’re aware of these despicable tactics, the better your chances of avoiding the free Morkie scam.
Four types of scams
Switching pictures
The first trick these people will do is feature gorgeous-looking little dogs on their website for sale. Should you actually buy one, you’ll notice that your puppy looks nothing like those you saw. That’s because the scammer has stolen pictures from the website and even books and portrayed these as the dogs he is selling.
Meanwhile your little dog has been bred and raised in the cruel conditions of a puppy mills, where animals are bred and bred for profit, with no regard to their comfort or safety. Imagine a dog spending her entire life in a tiny wire cage, having litters two or three times a year until she dies!
You can avoid this scam by visiting the prospective member of your family in person. Look around and ask lots of questions. If the person you’re buying from can’t answer them, seems vague and there is no sign of the Yorkie or Maltese parent around, chances are good you’re dealing with a puppy mill.
Registered and ‘approved’ dogs
Anyone can claim their puppies have been registered, implying they are high quality healthy specimens. Even crosses like the Morkie can be offered with designations from The American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) and International Designer Canine Registry® (IDCR).
Unfortunately, The American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) and International Designer Canine Registry® (IDCR) aren’t recognized by anyone in the animal world and they don’t even check the dogs they ‘certify.’ Once again, you get a very inferior animal for the price of a show dog. These designations mean nothing!
Free to good home, or super cheap Morkies
This one really hurts, because in all likelihood there isn’t even a Morkie behind this offer.
Instead, the scammers lure you in on price, and when the hook has been set they ask you to pay for shipping, which is suspiciously consistent at $400. Buyers are asked to send all payments via a Western Union wire transfer or money order. These methods are favorites among scam artists because they are the equivalent of sending cash—the money can’t be recovered by the victim.
Puppies in a basket, free-to-a-good-home?
Since you don’t suspect them, you send the money off – usually to another country, and the dog of course never arrives.
The ASPCA has identified another despicable scam. Sellers put up a website featuring terrible pictures of animal abuse, and claim they are rescuing dogs from a puppy mill. There’s no rescue; they ARE the puppy mill and the dogs are sickly, weak and nervous. Instead of doing a good thing by helping dogs, you end up with heartbreak on your hands.
You can tell this is a scam when you see the price tag — the “adoption fees” for these dogs often exceed $1,000! Breed rescue groups charge nominal fees—usually no more than a few hundred dollars—because their goal is not to make money, but to find wonderful homes for their rescues.
Avoid being scammed
- Be sure to deal directly with a breeder, not a broker.
- Always visit. Honest breeders and rescue groups will be more than happy to offer you a tour.
- Always pick your puppy up at the kennel or breeder. Do not have the puppy shipped or meet at a random location. If the seller suggests meeting at a mall or parking lot – run!
- Always ask for references, from others who have purchased dogs from this breeder and follow up on them.
- Ask for a reference from the veterinarian the breeder works with as well.
- Never send Western Union or money order payments.
- If you are told that there will be no refunds for a sick puppy, you are most probably dealing with a puppy mill. A reputable breeder or rescue group will always take the puppy back, regardless of the reason.
Armed with some knowledge, you can avoid being scammed in your search for the perfect little dog, the Morkie.
Read more: ASPCA’s stories about pet-related scams
Looking for a dog or cat? Adopt safely and ethically on Pet Finder.
kingsleyowen983@gmail.com
joneswalker258@gmail.com
both tried to scam me with the sad story and pay for delivery
luckily i googled “morkie scam” and your site came up thank you
guessing the site i listed below is mostly scams
Wow I’m so sorry you were nearly scammed! But glad my site helped. Cheers
How do I find a Micro Morkey for adoption that is not a scam, in Massachusetts?
Hi Betsy,
Thanks for writing. Be careful getting a Morkie that’s TOO small. Below 4 pounds, they’re most likely runts of the litter, or even a second or third generation runt. So the pup’s health is not good; he’s not a strong strong and he’ll likely have medical issues throughout his life. PLUS, he’ll live a much shorter time. A Morkie 4 to 5 pounds fill grown is absolutely the smallest I would recommend because of those factors. That’s pretty small.
The #1 protection you have against being ripped off, or getting stuck with a truly inferior puppy mill dog, is to VISIT the person who is selling the puppy. There’s no other way to be absolutely sure you’re not falling into the hands of someone unscrupulous, only out to make a buck. Please read more, on my page here: http://www.aboutmorkies.com/getting-a-morkie/
Thanks again Betsy and happy hunting for your Morkie!
Deb
BIG PUPPY. SCAM: This is ADRESS!!!
Our names and address for the payment below…
First name: Anderson
Last name: Joe
Address: Sandra and Joe Anderson Family
1760 S Calvert St, Baltimore, MD, 21202,
Ph: (410) 656-9329
Amount: $550
THIS IS A BIG BIG ONLINE SCAM !!!
BE CAREFUL!!!
SHE STOLE MY MONEY!!!
AND I DID NOT RECEIVE MY PUPPY NEVER EVER!!!???
SANDRA WILLIAMS
SANDRA YORKIES
Meet Cutie babies attached to this mail.
They are small, super cute, best looking,
and a top quality Yorkies. They are home raised, well socialized with other pets
and kids, potty trained, and pups that will make every family happy. .
They are up-to-date on all age appropriate shots and deworming. Will
come along puppy kit with food, wee-wee pads and some of her favorite
play toys. They are 14 weeks old now and a mini pup that will stay small
in size…:).
As concerns the shipping proper,
every efforts is made by us to ensure that
the puppy is transported and delivery in the must perfect and sound
condition. Thus to eliminate not only stress on the new puppy but also
you the new puppy owner, we make sure we locate the most
accommodating airline taking into considering the quickest flight to you.
Our puppies travel along side a 1 yr health GUARANTEE,
complete sets of documents, starter food stuffs with feeding manual
and some favorite play toys just to mention a few.
Requirements.
You are required to send forward
– your address ( home delivery address )
– your full names for paperwork and your contact number.
With the above information and the payment,
i will put all necessary papers together, change the ownership and
later drive down to the airport for delivery arrangements. Please
note that you will be picking the puppy from you local city airport.
If you require home delivery then you will pay an additional $70
for that.
Thanks and looking forward to hearing from you..
Sandra.
He tried to get me…omg I found his English so bad could not understand him. I asks so many questions half went unanswered. He called me then the information on the western union was strange. I was I want to use paypal or chase quickpay he pretended I never asked. I will give you his information if you like. I am guessing it is a fake number. I google his number and came up as a scam. His website is very well done. Just his verbiage was very off. It went from adoption, how his family relocated and no long can take care of them. Then it was an cooperation and I must follow details as he said. myadaobi2@aol is my email. Will provide you will all the information I have to sue him. Good Luck.
Well Yes I was scammed by joseph miller; united pet transit – mpls minn. 495.00 via western union; and ten wanted another 995.00 for a special transit crate. teacupminipuppies.com. I since have tracked him; and he has taken down the site, his ph #, and has locked me out of his facebook page, Watch for him………….. he probably has setup under another website.
scum scammers===== remember these names: joseph miller, Mr. Paige, Breanna owens. all part of his scam. I have since been able to adopt thru All Paws; but the $495.00 really hit my pocketbook and my lack of good judgement.
I’m so sorry you went through this. Nothing worse than being taken advantage of AND not getting what you love! It can certainly happen to anyone, so please be careful out there. Wherever possible, visit the mom and pups before buying. Deb