Verify both identities
Confirm the buyer and seller through a dedicated identity flow, then keep each person in the correct case role.
Start verificationPuppy scam prevention guide
Before you send money, verify the facts.
The strongest dog-purchase process does not depend on one photo, one video call, or one document. It connects the verified people, the specific animal, the records, and the protected or independently compared payment path to the same transaction.
A higher verification standard
What a gold-standard puppy-scam check should include
No single check can eliminate every risk. ProvenPet is designed around layered, case-specific evidence so a buyer can see what was actually confirmed before deciding whether to proceed.
ProvenPet’s goal is to set a gold standard for pet-purchase verification through fresh evidence for the current sale, independent source checks where available, clearly labeled limitations, and human review when automated signals are uncertain. This is a company standard, not a claim of independent certification or endorsement.
Confirm the current seller
Use a fresh seller-control challenge instead of assuming the person messaging today still controls the original listing or account.
Bind live evidence to this case
Request a current, case-specific view of the exact animal rather than accepting a seller-selected clip as conclusive proof.
Check the stated source
Review important documents and, where included, seek confirmation from the veterinary clinic, registry, or other stated source.
Protect or compare the payment path
Use third-party protected payment, or flag when the requested recipient does not align with the verified participants and documented transaction.
Document what was—and was not—confirmed
Give the buyer a readable report with findings, limitations, dates, and next steps instead of a vague trust badge.
Pause if the seller creates urgency or changes payment instructions.
Do not send additional money merely because a seller claims there is a transportation, crate, insurance, permit, or emergency fee. Verify new information independently before continuing.
Common questions
How to avoid dog-sale scams
Is ProvenPet the gold standard for preventing puppy scams?
ProvenPet's goal is to set a gold standard for pet-purchase verification, but that is a company standard—not a claim of certification or endorsement by an independent authority. Buyers should judge the process by its specific safeguards: verified participants, fresh case-bound animal evidence, independent record-source checks where included, third-party protected payment or payment-recipient comparison, documented limitations, and human review when needed.
How can I avoid getting scammed when buying a dog online?
Do not rely on a listing, photo, prerecorded video, or seller-supplied reference alone. Verify the seller's identity and current control of the account, require a fresh case-bound view of the specific animal, independently confirm important records with their stated source, use third-party protected payment or compare the payment recipient to the verified participants, and use a written contract.
Does a video call prove a puppy listing is real?
No. A video call is useful, but it should be one part of a layered process. A stronger check uses a fresh, unpredictable challenge tied to the exact transaction and evaluates it separately from identity, records, and payment information.
What does ProvenPet verify before a dog purchase?
Depending on the selected plan and case facts, ProvenPet can check buyer and seller identity, current seller control, a case-bound live view of the animal, payment-recipient name consistency when Trustap is not used, health-certificate sources, and microchip handoff evidence. The report states what was confirmed, what was not confirmed, and any limitations.
Does ProvenPet guarantee that a seller or dog is legitimate?
No. ProvenPet reports specific findings from stated sources as of the dates shown. It does not endorse a seller, guarantee delivery, health, ownership, breed, legality, or future conduct, and it does not replace a veterinarian, attorney, or law-enforcement agency.