SCAMS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

 Buying a kitten should be exciting—not stressful. Unfortunately, online kitten scams are common. Before sending a deposit or payment, take the time to verify the breeder, the kitten, the paperwork, and the payment arrangements. The steps below can help you recognize warning signs and protect yourself from losing money.  

 Before sending money, independently verify who you are dealing with.

Search the breeder or cattery name, website, phone number, email address, and location. Look for consistent information across multiple sources, and speak with the breeder by telephone or live video when possible.
Check for:
A verifiable name and location
A working telephone number
A consistent online presence
Realistic, consistent information about the cats
A willingness to answer questions and communicate directly
Important: Don't rely solely on a breeder's website, social media page, reviews, or association logos. Verify important claims independently.

 If a breeder says they are registered with a cat association, verify it yourself. Don't rely on a registration logo or link displayed on the breeder's website.
Contact the association directly and ask whether the breeder or cattery is registered and whether the information provided by the breeder matches the association's records.
You can also ask the association about:
The breeder's registered cattery name
Registration or membership status
The breeder's registered contact information
How to verify pedigree or registration documents
Before purchasing, verify the information directly with the association..  

 Before sending a deposit, make sure you are seeing the actual kitten being offered for sale. Ask for current photographs and a live video showing the kitten, its surroundings, and, when possible, the mother and other cats.
For additional verification:
Ask the breeder to show something current during the video, such as today's newspaper or a live television broadcast.
Ask for several photographs of the kitten. Photos of kittens from the same litter should make sense together, including consistent surroundings and backgrounds.
Ask to see the kitten interacting naturally rather than relying only on posed photographs.
If possible, see the kitten and breeder in person.
Never assume a photograph proves ownership. Scammers can copy photographs from legitimate breeders and use them to advertise cats they do not own.  

 Scammers often steal photographs from legitimate breeders and use them to advertise kittens they do not own. Compare the photos you receive and look for consistent backgrounds, surroundings, and details.
You can also use Google Lens to search a kitten's photograph and see where the same or similar image appears online.
Before sending money:
Ask for several current photos of the kitten.
Look for consistent backgrounds and surroundings.
Use Google Lens to reverse-search the photographs.
If the same kitten photo appears under another breeder's name, STOP and investigate before sending money.  

 Don't rely on statements such as “DNA tested,” “healthy parents,” or “vet checked.” Ask to see the actual documentation and make sure you understand what was tested and what the results mean.
Before sending money:
Ask for veterinary records appropriate to the cat's age.
Ask what genetic tests were performed and which cats were tested.
Request copies of the actual test results when available.
For Maine Coons, ask about breed-relevant health testing, including HCM and other appropriate genetic and health screening.
If something doesn't make sense, ask the breeder or your veterinarian to explain it before purchasing.
Important: A genetic test is only one part of evaluating a cat's health. A responsible breeder should be able to explain the health screening performed on the parents and provide appropriate documentation. 

 If a cat is being sold as registered or pedigreed, verify the paperwork before you send money. Ask to see the kitten's pedigree and, when appropriate, the parents' pedigrees and registration information.
Especially for an international purchase:
Contact the registry yourself before purchasing and ask what documentation you will need to register the cat.
Don't assume the pedigree supplied by the seller contains everything required.
A pedigree showing four generations may not provide enough ancestry for a registry that requires five generations.
Additional certified pedigrees for the parents or earlier ancestors may be necessary.
Important: Registration requirements differ between associations. Verify the requirements directly with the registry before you purchase.  

 Always read the complete sales contract before sending a deposit or payment. Make sure you understand exactly what you are agreeing to before you commit to the purchase.
Make sure the contract clearly explains:
The kitten or cat being purchased
Purchase price and deposit
Whether the deposit is refundable or nonrefundable
Health guarantee
Registration and pedigree paperwork
Breeding or show rights and restrictions
What happens if the purchase cannot be completed
If you don't understand something in the contract, ask questions before you pay—not afterward.  

 Be cautious when sending money or making arrangements for transportation. Scammers may use legitimate-looking payment requests, fake courier companies, or fake shipping documents to convince buyers to send additional money.
Watch for:
Pressure to pay immediately
Wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other difficult-to-recover payments
Sudden requests for additional money after you've already paid
Claims that a kitten is being held at an airport, customs facility, or shipping facility
Requests for unexpected insurance, special crates, temperature control, customs, clearance, or release fees
Courier information that you cannot independently verify
If you're told that another payment is required, STOP. Contact the airline, courier, government agency, or other organization directly using contact information you find yourself—not contact information supplied by the seller.
Important: PAWS N TIME does not purchase, sell, arrange, book, or provide courier or shipping services. This information is provided solely as a buyer-safety resource. 

 Buying a cat from another country can involve additional requirements, paperwork, veterinary care, transportation, and expense. Research these requirements before you commit to the purchase.
Before purchasing an international cat:
Check the current import requirements for the country where the cat will be going.
Ask your veterinarian about required examinations, vaccinations, testing, and health certificates.
Check the airline or transportation provider for its requirements.
Research the full transportation cost before purchasing. International courier or transportation costs can sometimes approach or even exceed the purchase price of the cat.
If you intend to register the cat with a different registry, contact that registry before purchasing and determine exactly what pedigree documentation will be required.
A four-generation pedigree may not provide the five generations required by some registries. Additional pedigrees for the parents or earlier ancestors may be necessary.
PAWS N TIME does not purchase, sell, arrange, book, or provide international or domestic courier services. This information is provided to help buyers recognize potential costs and scams.
Important: International requirements change and vary by destination. Always verify current requirements directly with the appropriate government authority, registry, veterinarian, airline, or transportation provider.  

 If you encounter one or more of these warning signs, STOP and investigate before sending money.
Photos that appear stolen or are found under another breeder's name
Refusal to provide a live video of the actual cat or kitten
The breeder cannot be independently verified
Pressure to send a deposit or payment immediately
A price that seems unusually low or too good to be true
Large numbers of unrelated kittens advertised as immediately available
Vague or inconsistent information about the cat, breeder, pedigree, or location
Requests for gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or other difficult-to-recover payments
Unexpected requests for additional shipping, courier, insurance, airport, customs, or release fees
The seller becomes evasive or angry when you ask reasonable questions or request documentation
Trust your instincts.
If something doesn't add up, don't send money just because you're afraid of losing the cat. A legitimate purchase should withstand reasonable verification.  

  Want to keep a copy while you ivestigate breeders?

Download or print our simple one-page checklist and

use it for each breeder you are considering.