Valerie Fitzgerald, a representative of United Paws Inc., a partner rescue with OCAS, received a call about her cat Bella after she posted on an online lost pet forum.
“The person on the other line said he was an OCAS employee, and that Bella was in the shelter,” Fitzgerald said in OCAS’s release.
The caller told Fitzgerald her cat had been hit by a car and paralyzed, and the surgery she needed would cost $5,400. They demanded Fitzgerald pay half the fee immediately, via Cash App, Venmo or Zelle. After the caller hung up, Fitzgerald called OCAS. The organization confirmed Bella had not been brought in, and the call was a scam.
“When we reach out to owners about reclaiming a pet, the first thing we ask them to do is visit the shelter, not send money,” Diane Summers, manager for OCAS, said.
Summers noted that scammers take advantage of truly vulnerable moments for pet owners. “It’s heartbreaking to know there are people attempting to take advantage of grieving and upset pet owners; people who are often so desperate for a chance to be reunited with their pet they miss suspicious behavior,” she said.
OCAS does not request money via mobile payment apps such as Cash App, Venmo, or Zelle. It has set pet reclaim fees — $40 for first impoundment, $60 for second impoundment and $80 for third impoundment. The organization also has a daily fee of $20.
“If someone is contacting you on behalf of our shelter and you have any suspicion about the legitimacy of the information, please visit our shelter in person to speak with our staff,” Summers said.
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This article appears in Nov 20-26, 2024.