How to Avoid Online Kitten Scams
Why kitten scams happen
A beautiful kitten photo can make you want to act quickly, and scammers know it. They copy photographs, business names and even legitimate-looking documents, then ask for a deposit from a buyer who never sees a real animal. I'm Tamira, and I wrote this guide so families who are looking for a pedigreed kitten know what to check before sending a single dollar.
The good news is that a few simple checks protect you almost every time. None of them take long, and a real breeder will be glad you asked.
Red flags to watch for
Unusual payment requests. Be careful if a seller asks for MoneyGram or Western Union. These services have weak dispute policies, so it is very hard to get your money back. Credit cards and PayPal offer more protection. If you pay with PayPal or Venmo, send it as a business or goods-and-services payment, not as "friends and family," which removes your dispute rights.
Vague contact information. A legitimate cattery shows a name, a phone number and an address. If the only way to reach a seller is by email, and there is no business name or location anywhere, treat that as a warning.
A price that is too good to be true. Compare the price with what other registered breeders charge for the same breed. A kitten priced far below the usual range may turn out to be a different cat, or it may not exist at all. Our own kittens are priced openly on our Kittens page.
No way to see the kitten. If a seller refuses an in-person visit or a video chat and insists you pay first, walk away. They are probably using another cattery's pictures.
How to verify a real cattery
Start with the license. In Georgia, breeders are licensed through the Georgia Department of Agriculture, and you can check that the details on a seller's website match the issuing state's records. TMZ Kittenz N Katz is licensed with the Georgia Department of Agriculture, and we are TICA registered.
Next, look the business up with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB verifies a business before listing it, and you can read the rating and reviews. You can see our profile on the About page.
Search for the business on Google and read the reviews carefully. Look at how many there are and what they say, and look for photos of kittens with their new families. Also check Facebook and Instagram. Real catteries post photos, litters and updates over time. You can see ours on our Blog and social pages.
The most important step
Ask to see your kitten in person or by video chat. Most scammers pretend to be breeders and do not actually have the animals they advertise. At TMZ, we are happy to set up a video call, and you are welcome to visit our home cattery in Gainesville by appointment.
What a real purchase looks like
A real sale has clear, written terms. At TMZ the process is simple: you choose a kitten, pay a $500 holding deposit, and we email a Sales and Health Agreement that you sign and return within 24 hours. Kittens go home between 11 and 16 weeks, litter box trained, microchipped and already registered with TICA. You can read everything on our Sales Terms page before you decide.
Common scam scripts to recognize
Scam sellers often follow a pattern. They message you first, send a lot of cute photos and a quick price, and then hurry you to pay a deposit through an unusual method. After you pay, new fees appear: a special crate, insurance, a "pet transport permit" or a vaccination charge. Each new fee is followed by another, and the kitten never arrives.
A real breeder tells you the full cost up front. At TMZ, the kitten's price, the $500 holding deposit, the shipping fee and the balance schedule are explained before you send money, and they are written down in the Sales and Health Agreement.
Reverse-check the photos
If you are suspicious, save the kitten's picture and run a reverse image search. Scammers often use photos taken from real catteries or stock sites, and the same picture can show up on many websites under different names. Ask the seller for a fresh photo of the kitten holding a piece of paper with today's date, or ask for a live video of the kitten. A real breeder can do this in minutes.
What to do if you have been scammed
If you think you sent money to a scammer, contact your bank or card company immediately and ask about disputing the charge. Report the seller to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, to the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker and to your local police. Keep copies of messages, receipts and the seller's website. Quick action gives you the best chance of recovering funds.
Help others stay safe
If you see a listing that uses our photos or our name, please tell us. Our official contact details are on this website only: phone and text 678-617-1034, and emails tmzkittenznkatz@gmail.com and tamira.nickerson@tmzknk.com. We will never ask you to pay by gift card or a wire service.
A quick checklist before you pay
Check the license and BBB listing. Confirm the address and phone number. Read the written terms. See the kitten in person or on video. Pay only by a method with buyer protection, and only after you have confirmed payment details by phone with the seller.
If anything feels off, trust that feeling. Questions are always welcome. Call or text me at 678-617-1034 or contact us. You can also browse our FAQ for answers to common questions.
