Buyer Beware – Puppy Farm impersonates local animal charity to make money

11th February 2020

Oak Tree Animals’ Charity is horrified that a suspected puppy farm is using their identity online to sell puppies to unsuspecting buyers and is asking people to be very careful when purchasing any animal online. Puppy Farms breed puppies on a mass scale, in appalling conditions and owners are advised to be careful as animals bred in these conditions are likely to be sick and traumatised by their experience.

Potential buyers are being misled by being given a link to the charity’s website and address and then being encouraged to have the puppy “shipped” to them rather than visiting the charity itself. A variety of breeds are offered to the victim for over £500 per puppy with assurances that they come from the charity rather than the seller. 

Caroline Johnson, General Manager at Oak Tree said “When we were alerted to this Puppy Farm’s actions by a worried purchaser, we acted swiftly to alert the police and other animal charities who may also be affected by this. We are horrified that a Puppy Farm is posing as an animal charity to make a money from animal suffering.”

Caroline continued “We advise anyone considering getting an animal to check thoroughly the source of their animal and, if in any doubt, not to proceed. Animal Charities will never rehome an animal without meeting the potential new owners and Oak Tree ensures that owners and animals are a good “match” prior to rehoming.”

“Potential owners should always see the animal at the rescue centre prior to adopting, ask questions of the animal caseworkers and should be fully informed of any medical and behavioural issues. All animals from charity members of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) will ensure animals are vaccinated, neutered, microchipped (where appropriate) and fully assessed. Animal charities usually ask for a fee of between £75 and £200 (dependent on the animal). If you are being asked to pay over £500, alarm bells should be ringing. Oak Tree will never contact you from any unofficial email address.”

“We, like other animal charities, work hard to prevent the horrific animal welfare issues that we see in puppy and kitten farms including extreme sickness, fatalities and animal abuse and we hope that this will help alert the public to the lengths to which these unscrupulous sellers will go.”

Oak Tree advises owners to Google any email addresses that they receive emails from as dealers may use the same email address or contact number on more than one advert. It is also common that photos of the puppies may have been used on other adverts. Always right click on the photo, select ‘search Google for image’ and see if it has been used on any other adverts. For further information about how to avoid puppy farms please contact your local ADCH member Animal Charity who will be happy to advise you.

Oak Tree are asking for anyone who has suspects that they have recently received emails from this Puppy Farm posing as a rescue centre to get in contact with them on 01228 560082 or at info@oaktreeanimals.org.uk. All information will be passed to Action Fraud.

Picture below is of Walter, one of the genuine residents of Oak Tree, looking for a home.