​
We are receiving an increasing number of calls from Bichon lovers who have encountered unscrupulous people on the internet allegedly offering puppies for “sale” or “adoption.” Their methods differ but here are some things to watch out for:
Checklist to Spot a Puppy Scam
​
Be very cautious if a “breeder” or “rescue”:
-
Will not let you meet the dog (or parents) in person, even by live video.
-
Refuses to send recent videos or additional photos of the specific dog.
-
Will not share vaccination records, vet reports, or contact information for their veterinarian.
-
Charges far less than the typical price for a purebred Bichon or asks for “fees” that keep changing.
-
Insists on shipping only, with no option for safe local pickup or meeting point.
-
Pressures you to “pay today” or “lose the puppy” and discourages you from taking time to think.
-
Refuses to provide a full name, physical address, phone number, or any verifiable references.
-
Uses photos or descriptions you find copied from other sites or ads.
-
Does not ask you any questions about your home, experience, or how you’ll care for the dog.
-
Demands payment by gift cards, payment apps sent as “friends and family,” wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
-
Sends payment details that don’t match the name of the person or organization you thought you were dealing with.
​
If something feels “off,” stop, do more research, and never send money you can’t recover.
As a rescue devoted to the Bichon breed, we are shocked by these tactics and our hearts go out to those people who have been affected by them. We’re also deeply troubled that scammers are misusing our photos and content on Facebook and are doing what we can to stop them.
​
There are millions of abandoned, surrendered and homeless dogs available for adoption every year in rescues like ours and animal shelters. Please consider rescue first. We currently have Bichons awaiting forever homes and needing fosters. Please check out our website (https://www.bichonrescue.org) for information about our organization, descriptions of currently available dogs and an adoption application when you are ready to bring a new Bichon family member into your home.
