Avoid Kitten Scams
Pet scams cost Americans millions every year — and Maine Coons are the single most commonly faked breed. This guide will teach you exactly how scammers operate, how to verify any breeder, and what to do if you've already been victimized. GoodCattery exists to make this problem disappear.
The scale of the problem
Pet scams are one of the fastest-growing categories of online fraud. The Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Bureau have tracked a sharp rise since 2020, with purebred cat breeds — especially Maine Coons — at the center of it.
Lost annually to pet scams
The FTC reports over $5.5 million lost to pet-related scams each year in the United States alone. The real number is likely higher since most victims never report.
Increase since 2020
The BBB found that pet scams surged 80% during and after the pandemic, as demand for kittens skyrocketed and buyers moved to online purchasing.
Most commonly faked breed
Maine Coons top the list of breeds used in scams. Their high price point ($1,500–$3,000+) and massive demand make them irresistible targets for fraudsters.
Where scams happen
Scammers operate wherever buyers search. Each platform has its own set of tactics — understanding them is your first line of defense.
Facebook Marketplace
The most common platform for kitten scams. Scammers create fake profiles with stolen kitten photos, post in local buy/sell groups, and pressure you to pay via Zelle or Cash App before you can visit. They often claim the kitten is "ready now" and needs to be picked up immediately.
Read: Maine Coon scams on FacebookCraigslist
Classic scam territory. Fake listings are posted with prices far below market ($200–$500 for a "purebred Maine Coon"), designed to generate a flood of responses. The scammer then asks for a deposit to "hold" the kitten and disappears once paid. Ads are re-posted under new accounts weekly.
Read: Are Craigslist kittens legit?Fake Breeder Websites
The most sophisticated scam type. Scammers build professional-looking websites with stolen photos, fake testimonials, and invented cattery names. Some even register fake TICA/CFA cattery names. They accept deposits through untraceable methods and either deliver a sick, non-purebred kitten — or nothing at all.
Read: Breeder red flags to watch forInstagram & TikTok
Scammers create accounts filled with stolen Maine Coon photos and videos, building a following before DMing followers with "available kittens." They exploit the visual nature of these platforms to build fake credibility. Some accounts amass thousands of followers before being reported.
Read: Spotting cat breeder scamsThe scam playbook
Nearly every kitten scam follows the same six-step pattern. Once you recognize it, you'll never fall for it.
Stolen photos and videos
The scammer harvests photos and videos of real Maine Coon kittens from legitimate breeders’ websites, Instagram accounts, and Facebook pages. They may edit out watermarks or flip images to avoid reverse image searches. Some even steal entire litters’ worth of photos to create a convincing "available kittens" page.
Fake profile or website
They build a Facebook profile, Craigslist ad, or standalone website using the stolen photos. The website may include a fabricated cattery name, fake TICA registration numbers, and invented testimonials from "happy families." Some scammers operate dozens of fake catteries simultaneously.
Too-good-to-be-true pricing
The listing price is almost always well below market rate — often $500–$800 for a kitten that should cost $1,500–$3,000. This is designed to create urgency and excitement, making buyers overlook warning signs they’d otherwise catch.
Pressure tactics
Once a buyer shows interest, the scammer creates artificial urgency. "Three other families are interested." "I need a deposit today to hold this kitten." "This is my last one from this litter." They will not agree to a video call, in-person visit, or any request that would reveal them as fraudulent.
Untraceable payment demanded
The scammer insists on payment through Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency — all methods with little or no buyer protection. They will never accept credit card payments or any platform with built-in dispute resolution.
They vanish
After payment, the scammer either ghosts entirely, invents excuses to extract more money ("shipping fees," "vaccination surcharges," "USDA crate costs"), or in rare cases ships a sick, non-purebred kitten that bears no resemblance to the photos. The phone number stops working, the website goes offline, and the social accounts are deleted.
How to verify a breeder
Before you send a single dollar, work through this checklist. A legitimate breeder will have no problem with any of these steps. A scammer will fail on most of them.
Verify with TICA / CFA directly
Call TICA (956-428-8046) or CFA directly to verify a breeder’s registration. Important: TICA’s online directory is pay-to-list, so many legitimate registered breeders don’t appear on the website. Not showing up online is not a red flag — but being unable to be verified by the registry over the phone is. Do not ask breeders to share their certificates, as TICA advises against it because scammers have been caught using stolen certificates to impersonate legitimate catteries.
Reverse image search their photos
Right-click any kitten photo and search Google Images or TinEye. If the same photo appears on other websites or under different cattery names, the images are stolen.
Request a live video call
Ask the breeder for a FaceTime or Zoom call where they show you the kitten, the mother, and their facility in real time. Scammers will refuse or make excuses. Legitimate breeders are proud to show their cattery.
Visit in person
The gold standard. A real breeder will invite you to their home or cattery. If they refuse in-person visits or claim you can’t see the kitten until after payment, walk away immediately.
Check the GoodCattery scam database
Our community-powered scam database tracks known scam websites, phone numbers, and email addresses. Search before you buy.
Search scam databaseVerify health testing records
Legitimate Maine Coon breeders test for HCM (heart disease), SMA (spinal muscular atrophy), and PKD (kidney disease). Ask for copies of test results with the testing lab’s name — then verify directly with the lab.
Read the contract carefully
Real breeders provide a written contract covering health guarantees, spay/neuter requirements, and return policies. No contract = no protection. Be suspicious of breeders who want to skip paperwork.
Insist on traceable payment
Pay by credit card or through a platform with buyer protection (like GoodCattery’s Stripe-powered deposits). Never pay by Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
Learn about secure depositsWhat to do if you've been scammed
If you've already lost money to a kitten scam, act quickly. The sooner you report it and contact your bank, the better your chances of recovery. Take every step below — each one matters.
Report to the FTC
File a complaint at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FTC uses these reports to build cases against scam operations and track fraud patterns. Even if they can’t recover your specific payment, your report helps shut down scammers.
reportfraud.ftc.govFile an IC3 complaint
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov handles internet-based fraud. Filing here creates a federal record and can trigger investigation if the scammer has defrauded enough victims.
ic3.govReport to the platform
Report the scam listing or profile directly on Facebook, Craigslist, Instagram, or whatever platform you found them on. Include screenshots of your conversations and the listing. This helps get the scammer’s account shut down and protects future victims.
Contact your bank for a chargeback
If you paid by credit or debit card, call your bank immediately and request a chargeback. Explain that you were the victim of fraud. Credit card chargebacks have a high success rate for documented scams. If you paid via Zelle, Venmo, or Cash App, contact their fraud departments — recovery is harder but not impossible.
Report on the GoodCattery scam database
Add the scammer’s website, phone number, email address, and any other details to our scam database. Your report will help protect other buyers who search for the same breeder.
Report a scamFile a police report
Contact your local police department and file a fraud report. While local police may not investigate small-dollar internet fraud directly, the report creates a paper trail that strengthens your chargeback claim and any future legal action.
Don't trust — verify.
Search our scam database before you send money, or browse breeders who have been verified by GoodCattery.