Reports have surfaced of scammers targeting pet guardians through deceptive phone calls. These fraudsters claim to represent an animal shelter that has found a missing pet, or that has an injured pet in their care that requires emergency medical care, and demand immediate payment over the phone or via online payment platforms like Venmo/PayPal.

It is crucial to recognize these calls as phone scams or phishing attempts. Guardians are strongly advised against sharing personal information or making any payments to these callers. When in doubt about if a phone call is really from The Humane Society of Boulder Valley (HSBV), you can always hang up and then call us directly at (303) 442-4030.

Please keep the following information in mind:

Lost animals: We never ask for money over the phone for lost animals.

Veterinary care: If a pet is brought to us in distress by someone other than the guardian, our first priority is to stabilize that pet if possible, and we act immediately in those cases using the best judgment of our medical team, with the pet’s best interest in mind. If we ask for payment for something over the phone, it is only after the guardian has had a conversation with the veterinarian about the treatment plan and estimated charges, and we will always provide a written estimate if requested. If someone is pressuring you to make a payment urgently, without speaking to a veterinarian or being provided a written estimate or treatment plan, that should be a flag that you are being scammed. Urgency and fear tactics are some of the most potent weapons in a scammer’s arsenal.

If you receive what you believe to be a scam call, take note of the phone number and any relevant details, and promptly end the call and report the incident to your local police department. For direct assistance from HSBV, please contact us at (303) 442-4030.