The Montgomery County Humane Society (MCHS) is warning residents about scammers targeting people who have reported lost pets.
According to MCHS, the scammers impersonate the organization or Hanna’s Clinic and falsely claim that a missing pet has been found and requires emergency surgery or other care.
Victims are then asked to pay a deposit for surgery in advance or cover the cost of a procedure that scammers claim has already been performed before the pet can be picked up. MCHS said it does not accept stray animals and will never request payment by phone, text or online to reunite someone with a pet.
Under county procedures, stray animals must be taken to the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center. Anyone with questions about a stray pet can contact the center at 240-773-5900.
