Buying pet supplies — or a pet itself — online should be simple and safe. Unfortunately, fraudulent pet websites and fake sellers are a growing problem in Australia, and it's easy for even careful shoppers to be caught out. Here's what to watch for, and how we're working with Perfect Pets to help.
Common warning signs of a pet scam
Prices that seem too good to be true, sellers who only accept bank transfer or gift cards, pressure to pay a deposit quickly, stock photos instead of real product or animal photos, and no verifiable business address or ABN are all red flags worth pausing on before you buy.
Check for independent verification
Perfect Pets, Australia's ethical pet directory, runs a Pet Scam Alert database of confirmed fraudulent pet websites and courier scams, updated every 48 hours and built from community reports. It's a great first stop if a seller or breeder looks unfamiliar. Perfect Pets also manually reviews every business before granting their Verified badge, rather than relying on automatic approval.
Where LoloPaws fits in
We're proud to now carry the Perfect Pets Verified badge ourselves, following their in-depth review of our business. It sits alongside the things we've always offered — thoughtfully designed products for cats, dogs and small pets, and free metro delivery — as one more independent signal that you're shopping somewhere legitimate.
If you're ever unsure about a pet website, it only takes a minute to search the Perfect Pets Scam Alert database or look for a Verified badge before you pay.