San Antonio families hoping to bring home a new furry friend this winter instead found themselves out hundreds of dollars, no dog in sight, and plenty of regret. Across Texas, would-be pet owners say they paid up-front for puppies that never arrived, as fake listings and phony shippers spread across social media feeds and classified sites. The promises sounded cute; the aftermath was anything but.
The Better Business Bureau says complaints spiked during the December through February window, with a noticeable winter wave of bogus breeders and sham delivery companies. From December 2025 through February 2026, more than 35 complaints were filed, and reported losses topped $31,000, a 107% jump from the same stretch a year earlier, according to WOAI. Scammers have zeroed in on in-demand breeds like Yorkshire terriers, dachshunds, and French bulldogs, banking on buyers willing to shell out top dollar in a hurry.
How the scam typically plays out
The playbook is depressingly simple. First comes the polished online ad for an impossibly adorable pup. A seller collects an initial deposit and promises shipment, then brings in a supposed shipping company that suddenly needs “extra” money for crates, insurance or other surprise fees. Those charges keep coming until the buyer stops paying and, like magic, the seller, the shipper and the listing vanish.
Red flags show up early if you know where to look. Scam reports describe sellers who refuse to meet in person, insist on communicating only by text or email and push for payment through gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency, according to BBB Scam Tracker. The fake-shipping-middleman routine makes it especially hard to claw back any money once it is sent.
San Antonio victims' stories
Local complaints collected by the BBB and media outlets show how quickly hopeful pet shopping can turn into financial whiplash. In one San Antonio case, a couple says they paid a deposit with gift cards for a Boston terrier and were given a pickup address where the residents had no idea who the alleged seller was. Similar stories have surfaced from buyers in Corpus Christi and Midland, who say listings disappeared after they paid down payments or shipping fees, per WOAI. Those accounts track closely with Scam Tracker entries that outline the same pattern of repeated payment demands followed by non-delivery.
What to do if you're shopping for a pet
Consumer advocates have a simple message: slow down. Prospective buyers are urged to meet breeders in person when possible or insist on a live video call to confirm the dog actually exists. Reverse-image-searching puppy photos, using secure and traceable payment methods like credit cards instead of gift cards or unprotected transfers, and keeping written records of conversations can all help cut off fraud before money changes hands.
The City of San Antonio's Animal Care Services has also urged residents to be cautious and to consider checking shelters and local rescues first, according to a city news release. If you suspect you are dealing with a scammer, officials recommend filing a report with the Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker and submitting a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission so investigators can spot patterns and, when possible, take action.
Puppy scams sting twice, hitting people in the wallet and in the heart as they lose both cash and the dog they thought they were welcoming home. For San Antonio buyers right now, sticking to local transactions, insisting on verification and reporting shady listings quickly remain the strongest tools for keeping that next pet purchase from going horribly sideways.
