I understand the appeal. Your dog brings you joy. You want to take him (or her) everywhere. You’re not happy that so many places ban pets, but then you see the solution online—you can buy a service dog vest—with no documentation. All of a sudden, Feisty Fido can go anywhere!
Stop right there. This isn’t just wrong; it’s illegal. Worse, it damages the reputation of legitimate service dogs trained to remain silent unless alerting their handler to danger. Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop companies from selling these vests and other paraphernalia to anyone who wants to dole out the cash. One company even has the gall to claim that they now sell to anyone (without any type of proof that the dog is legitimate) because it was too hard to obtain service dog vests.
A word of caution, though. It’s illegal to say anything to someone you believe is violating the law. No matter what you think may be going on, you should not interfere.
How the Service Dog Scam Works
Training a real service dog costs thousands of dollars and takes years because the dogs are trained and socialized from the time they are puppies. Because it takes so much time to train dogs, waiting lists can stretch on for years. Enter the scammers. They’ve seen the opportunity and have jumped on it. Here’s how to avoid losing money to these guys.
Tip #1
Scammers will claim their dog has specialized training for medical alerts when it doesn’t. One 2020 scam convinced a mother to raise $20,000 for a dog the “breeder” promised would help her autistic son socialize. The dog arrived untrained. You’ll want to verify that the dog can do what you’re being told he can do.
Tip #2
Fake documentation is critical to the scam—certificates, registration papers, official-looking vests. Under ADA law, none of these items carry legal weight, i.e., there’s no penalty for buying a vest for your pet. However, in some states, it is illegal to misrepresent your dog as a service animal when it’s not. Scammers are well aware of these loopholes and use these types of identification to get thousands of dollars for a dog who may turn out to be nothing more than a pet.
Tip #3
Scammers flood websites, social media, and forums with aggressive marketing aimed at vulnerable people. They demand substantial fees while promising quick results with minimal training. Red flags should wave when you hear “guaranteed results” or “instant certification.” Remember, the process to get a real service dog takes time, and when someone tries to tell you otherwise, they’re most likely lying. (There could always be the rare exception, but…really?)
Tip #4
The truth will become evident when the dog arrives. Real service dogs perform specific disability-related tasks. Fake ones bark, jump on people, and show zero focus or obedience. Just be sure you haven’t parted with your hard-earned cash before you find out if the dog can do what you want it to.
Steps to Protect Yourself from Fraud
First, investigate any breeder, trainer, or organization thoroughly. Second, meet your service dog in person before committing money. Third, consider using an escrow account that handles live animal transactions (this might get expensive but could be worth it if you’re dealing with the wrong person). Finally, resist emotional attachment until you confirm the dog meets your needs.
If you’re interested in obtaining a service animal, I recommend familiarizing yourself with the ADA guidelines through the ADA National Network. Contact legitimate providers like Canine Companions. Check out magazines like Whole Dog Journal for advice on identifying scams.
Service dogs change lives. Don’t let scammers take advantage of your hope.
If you enjoyed this month’s scam tip, please leave a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for being here!
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