Kitten Mills and Scams: Red Flags When Buying a Kitten Online

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

Cute kitten photos sell. Unfortunately, scammers and mass-breeding operations know this, and use them to attract buyers. Falling for either can cost money, heartbreak and a sick kitten. Knowing the signs protects you, and the animals.

Two different problems

Scams. Fake sellers advertise kittens that do not exist, take deposits, shipping fees or insurance payments, then disappear or demand more.

Kitten mills. High-volume breeders keep cats in poor conditions, breed them repeatedly and sell kittens early, often through pet shops or online. Kittens may be sick, unsocialized or carry genetic problems.

Signs of a scam

• The seller will not meet or video call, or the video looks staged.
• Stock or copied photos. Run a reverse image search to see if pictures appear elsewhere.
• Prices are unusually low, or the kitten is free except for shipping.
• Pressure to act fast, or claims of many other buyers.
• Requests for payment by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency or payment apps with no protection.
• Excuses for not meeting, such as being out of country, or a medical emergency.
• Extra fees, such as insurance, special crates or customs, after payment.
• Poor writing, inconsistent stories, new accounts or no reviews.
• A third-party shipping company that is unknown.

Signs of a kitten mill

• Multiple breeds, or many litters available at all times.
• No access to the mother or the place where kittens live.
• Kittens under eight weeks, or sold through pet stores.
• No veterinary records, or vague vaccine details.
• Kittens look sick, dirty or underweight, with runny eyes, sneezing, diarrhea or fleas.
• Mother is thin, shy or unwell.
• No questions about your home.
• No contract, no health guarantee, no return policy.

Verifying a breeder

• Ask for breed club membership, and check with the club.
• Request references from past buyers and the breeder's vet.
• Ask for proof of health tests for parents, such as heart screening or genetic tests. See hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats.
• Search the breeder's name and phone number with the word scam.
• Ask for a live video call showing the kitten, mother and home.
• Visit in person, if possible.

Safe buying practices

1. Meet in person, or at least see a live video of the kitten with its mother.
2. Use secure payment methods with buyer protection, such as credit cards, and never gift cards or wire transfers.
3. Get a written contract with details of the kitten, health guarantee, return policy and spay or neuter conditions.
4. Get records of vaccines, deworming and vet checks.
5. Take the kitten to your vet within a few days. Many contracts require this.
6. Never pay for shipping to a seller you have not verified.
7. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, walk away.

Alternatives

Shelters and rescues are often less risky, and kittens are vet checked. See adopting vs buying a kitten and adopting a cat from a shelter. Local breed clubs can refer you to responsible breeders. See how to choose a cat breed.

What if you were scammed?

Stop contact, keep records, and report the seller to your national consumer protection agency, your local police, the platform and your bank or payment service. Warn others. Do not pay any more fees.

If you bought a sick kitten

Take it to a vet at once, and keep records. See kitten sneezing and eye discharge. Contact the seller and, if applicable, use the contract's health guarantee or legal remedies. Report mills to authorities and welfare groups.

Costs

A kitten from a responsible source may cost more upfront, but often saves money in veterinary bills. See kitten cost first year.

Choosing well

Look for a transparent, caring source. Check the kitten's health. See how to choose a kitten.

A buyer's checklist

Before paying anything, tick off the following: you have met the kitten, in person or on a live video call. You have seen the mother. You have the vaccination and deworming records. You have a written contract. You have checked reviews and references. You have a plan to take the kitten to a vet within days. If any box is empty, wait. A kitten is a fifteen-year commitment, and an extra week of checking is a small price.

Why it matters to the animals

Every purchase from a mill or scammer encourages more of the same. Choosing a transparent source helps cats everywhere, and gives your kitten the best start.

Trust your gut and your vet

If a seller makes you uneasy, you are probably right. A local vet can often tell you which breeders and rescues in the area have a good reputation, and may be willing to look at a kitten's records before you commit.

When to see a vet

Take any new kitten for a health check within days. Use the US vet directory to find a clinic.