FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2025
SPCA Wake Alerts Triangle Pet Owners to Scam Targeting Lost Pet Owners
Raleigh, NC – SPCA Wake is alerting the community to a distressing scam targeting pet owners seeking their lost companions. Scammers are impersonating SPCA Wake and other reputable organizations to exploit vulnerable individuals during emotionally challenging times.
Scammers, using caller ID spoofing to appear legitimate, are impersonating SPCA Wake, local law enforcement, or other local veterinary hospitals to contact pet owners who have recently reported a missing pet, falsely claiming that the pet has been found with severe, life-threatening injuries requiring emergency surgery. The scammer then demands a large payment, often thousands of dollars, threatening that the pet will be euthanized if the funds are not received right away.
“This scam is particularly heartbreaking because it preys on people who are already experiencing the distress of a missing pet,” said Samantha Ranlet, communications manager. “These pet owners just want their pets back safe and sound. The scammers create a sense of urgency, knowing the owner may not be willing to risk being wrong and seeing their pet lose their life.”
SPCA Wake urges pet owners to take the following precautions:
- If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately. Do not engage with the caller.
- Verify the claim by contacting the organization directly. Use a publicly listed phone number from an official website, not the number that called you.
- Report the scam to 311. If you receive a fraudulent call, reporting it can help authorities track and investigate these incidents.
“SPCA Wake will never call you demanding payment for an animal’s care, and we want to ensure that pet owners in our community know how to recognize this scam and protect themselves,” says Ranlet.
Similar scams have been reported across the country, and numerous cases have recently been identified in the Triangle, in some instances costing pet owners thousands of dollars. SPCA Wake encourages the community to remain vigilant and spread awareness to prevent further victims.
For more information and updates, visit spcawake.org or SPCA Wake’s social media.