Broward County Animal Care (BCAC), Broward County’s official pet adoption and animal welfare agency, is warning residents of a recent scam involving individuals posing as BCAC staff to demand payment for the return of lost pets.
In some cases, the scammers are telling residents their pets are injured. These scammers use technology to disguise their caller IDs, making it appear that the calls are from BCAC. BCAC wants to reassure the public that we will never ask for payment over the phone or through any unofficial methods. If someone contacts you claiming to have your pet and requests money, it is a scam.
“While we work to reunite lost pets with their families, we never charge fees for this service via phone,” said Doug Brightwell, BCAC director. “If you receive such a call, please contact authorities immediately or give us a call at (954) 359-1313. We encourage Broward County residents to maintain current pet registration.”
Pet owners searching for their lost animals are encouraged to use verified BCAC resources, including the agency’s website (www.Broward.org/Animal), official phone lines, or call 311. For more information, please contact Zachary Rinkins, BCAC public information officer, at
Broward County Animal Care is dedicated to providing shelter, care, and adoption services for homeless animals in Broward County. The agency also enforces animal control regulations and offers various community programs to promote responsible pet ownership and animal welfare.
