Community Alert:
Please be aware of this troubling scam that is impacting families who are searching for their missing pets.
Scammers are contacting owners of missing pets online and falsely claiming to be from the Arizona Animal Welfare League or another animal rescue organization. They tell families their pet has been found and needs emergency care, then demand payment over the phone.
We understand how stressful and emotional it is when a pet goes missing, which is why we want to help our community stay informed and avoid potential scams.
Please know that the Arizona Animal Welfare League doesn’t take in strays and will refer people to Maricopa County Animal Care & Control or Arizona Humane Society. Also, we would NEVER demand money over the phone.
If you do receive a suspicious call or text like this, please do not send money and contact your local law enforcement agency to report the scam.
The Arizona Humane Society has also seen a rise in this scam and has issued their statement here.
Please help spread the word and thank you for helping protect pet families in our community.
