Public Announcement
Beware of latest lost pet phone scam
July 10, 2026
Sacramento residents are urged to be aware of a distressing scam targeting pet owners. Scammers have been responding to lost dog postings by contacting the pet owners and falsely claiming that their lost pets are in the care of the Front Street Animal Shelter. The scammers will ask for payment in order get their dogs back.
In addition, the scam may appear to be very convincing, as scammers have been utilizing caller ID spoofing, making it appear as if the calls are coming from the legitimate phone numbers associated with Front Street Animal Shelter. This deceptive technique may mislead pet owners into thinking that they are receiving a genuine call from the shelter.
The Front Street Animal Shelter will never call pet owners to request money or any financial information over the phone.
If you receive one of these calls, do NOT provide your personal or financial information. Hang up immediately and report it to the Front Street Animal Shelter by dialing 311 or 916-808-7387.
Injured pet phone scam
If you receive an urgent call from anyone claiming to be staff from a Sacramento-area animal shelter (even if it looks legitimate on your caller ID) and they are demanding you pay them money over the phone or via text to treat or reclaim your injured pet, hang up immediately and call your local shelter directly.
Families in Sacramento who have lost a pet and posted on the various lost/found pet social media groups are being targeted by this phone scam. These scammers use details from the lost/found pet post to contact the owner and legitimize the call by describing the injured pet and location it was found.
If you receive one of these calls, do NOT provide your personal or financial information. Hang up immediately and contact your shelter directly to avoid being a victim of this heartbreaking scam.
- Front Street Animal Shelter -- 311 or (916) 808-7387
- Sacramento SPCA -- (916) 383-7387
- Bradshaw Animal Shelter -- 311 or (916) 368-7387
- City of Elk Grove Animal Services -- (916) 691-2489 or (916) 714-5115