I have been doing searches for dogs on several websites, such as TradeMe (like Craigslist) and PetsOnTheNet. My criteria: a fairly small, apartment-sized dog; a mild-mannered breed (purebred or mixed, not important); a dog in need of a home (owners can't take care of the dog, "pound puppy", etc.).
I went to the Auckland SPCA one time to see what kind of dogs they had. First of all, the Auckland SPCA is really NICE. There are not that many pets in New Zealand, so they have really large, well-kept pens. They don't have any bars, they have giant windows. Most dogs share pens, too, so they all play with each other. The problem is, all of the dogs at the shelter are large dogs. A lot of people own working dogs, and I don't have anywhere to put a large dog. So, back to the Internet. A lot of the dogs that people are selling / putting up for adoption are being bred for profit. Not ideal. So I keep looking for pets that need homes. Again, a lot of them are large and need to be adopted by people who live in the country.
One day, after 2-3 weeks of searching, I find a young Pug that needs a home. I try to call the phone number, but it doesn't work. I'm not sure what the area code is, so I try responding to the ad by e-mail. I ask if the dog is still available. No answer. I give up and continue looking at other websites.
A few days later, I get an e-mail. The Pug is still in need of a home. I describe my living situation and start to make arrangements for the possible adoption of the dog. I do a lot of research about Pugs, make sure that I can get copies of the vet records, etc.
The dog owner / poster of the ad asks me when I would be available to come to their home to see, and possibly, pick-up the dog. I ask them where they live and they give me the city and neighborhood. I look the area up on Google maps. Bad luck- South Island.
I send the person an e-mail and apologize. I can't make it to South Island, so I won't be able to adopt the dog. The person replies and says that they understand, but if I want, it would be possible to ship the dog to North Island.
I do more research and decide that shipping the dog might work out. The shipping fee is very low ($150NZD) and the dog needs a home. I am finally going to have a dog!
We discuss how to pay the shipping fees. Most people in New Zealand do money transfers through the bank. This is how Jon bought his car from the dealer, and how we pay rent. I buy a couple of dog toys and make a list of other supplies that the dog will need (a bed, potty pads, food, a coat, etc.). I research local vets and doggie daycares.
Then I get an e-mail. "Can you do me a favor?" The dog owner's daughter is overseas at school and needs some money. Could I send the money to the daughter instead? Also, can I provide information for the shipping company so that I can pick up the dog this weekend.
Things don't feel right. For one, the "daughter" is in Cameroon. Who goes to Cameroon- seriously? But I have been preparing for this dog, so I try to convince myself that it's right. Not possible. I do a web search for the account details that were provided and find other posts. Pet scammer. There is no dog. I have dog toys and no dog.
It's good that I didn't give them any money, but I am really sad. I was going to call the dog Booger / Sultana / Tater Tot (I couldn't decide).
If you're looking for a pet (or property, I've heard), look out for the following:
Peter Wartes, wartes222@yipple.com
Western Union transfer details
Receiver name: Darla Wartes
Address: 501 St Theresa's St, City: Douala, State: Littoral, Country: Cameroon.
Test question: who to
Answer: my daughter
Today has been a sad, sad day.
POOR LIZZY!!!!
ReplyDeleteI hate scammers =-(