Lily on Petfinder. Is this guy for real?

**Zippy** · 07-09-2006, 10:13 AM

This person sounds like a nutjob.

**moosmom** · 07-09-2006, 10:34 AM

Go with your gut instincts. Just say no!

**QueenScoopalot** · 07-09-2006, 10:37 AM

For some reason this guys name rings a bell as one who's on D.N.A. (do not adopt) lists due to either animal mutilations, or using adopted animals to train fighting dogs. I would never let an animal go via the internet until references were provided, and confirmed.

Ask who their vet is, and follow through with a call to them to assure it's an actual vet clinic, and not someone posing as one. Find out if any other pets in the house are spayed etc. Ask if they've had pets before, and what happened to them if they don't have them any longer. I'd be highly suspicious of someone so eager to adopt a never seen animal!

You're probably better off placing an ad on the vet clinics bulletin board to find adopters. And spreading the word via friends. Hope Lily gets a good home, and I'm sure there's more cautionary words to add here.

**jazzcat** · 07-09-2006, 12:25 PM

Thanks for the pictures, I remember her now. She's really getting big already. Ashame you can't keep her.

I have a question. You said you put her on petfinder, did you do a classified ad? Is there anyway you could get a rescue or shelter to do a courtesy listing for you? I just think if it's tied with a group you might get better response and mabye fewer of the nutcases.

**boscibo** · 07-09-2006, 12:53 PM

This is a classic scam letter - he doesn't want the cat at all - he wants your money. The scam is he pays the adoption fee and shipping cost by cashiers check and overpays you, and instructs you to send a third party (also in on the scam) the overpayment. The check bounces, and you're out the overpayment.

This type of scam has been going on for years, usually for big ticket items like cars, boats, motorcycles...etc. Any way to make a buck, I guess.

**catnapper** · 07-09-2006, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by boscibo

This is a classic scam letter - he doesn't want the cat at all - he wants your money. The scam is he pays the adoption fee and shipping cost by cashiers check and overpays you, and instructs you to send a third party (also in on the scam) the overpayment. The check bounces, and you're out the overpayment.

This type of scam has been going on for years, usually for big ticket items like cars, boats, motorcycles...etc. Any way to make a buck, I guess.

Ah, now the email makes sense! He only edited certain words, like change the word "CD player" to pet... no wonder the line about working condition! LOLOLOLOL

Yup, I have received this scam about my artwork, someone wanting to buy my stuff from Bermuda and wanted to know if I could ship it at my expense, etc.

**jazzcat** · 07-09-2006, 01:22 PM

Oh wow Boscibo, I had no idea that scam was going on. Sounds like you nailed this one.

Years ago I sold on ebay to clean out the junk in my house and really enjoyed it but now that I hear about all these scams I'm too afraid to try again. I guess I'll just have to breakdown and have an old fashioned garage sale (which I hate). Better yet, just drive to Goodwill.

**RedHedd** · 07-09-2006, 01:37 PM

Anything that badly worded, with all the misspellings and grammar errors - (I'm anal about that kind of stuff too). I wouldn't even bother responding even if I COULD figure out what they were trying to say.

**momcat** · 07-09-2006, 03:44 PM

When I first started in my present job 24 years ago, my boss at the time said if you get a gut feeling about something go with it because 99 times out of 100 you're going to be right. Go with your gut feeling on this one. This guy is sending up several red flags in my mind. He didn't ask how old she is, is she litter box trained, are there any health concerns, how is she with other pets and children, is she best suited for being an only cat, we all know the questions as well as the answers a true pet lover would present. Lily deserves nothing but the best - the life of a PT kitty - full of love, caring, attention, and spoiling. As for "mr smith", I don't know that I'd give him a peanut butter sandwich in the middle of the Sahara desert. The purrfect home is waiting for adorable Lily, they'll find each other. I congratulate you for seeing through this guy and not letting him adopt such a beautiful kitty girl! Thanks for caring so very much.....