Beware of Animal Bunchers
Animal Welfare Federation of NJ
Anti-Buncher Campaign
The AWNFJ became aware of an apparent buncher scam operating in New Jersey through phone calls and emails from individuals who had either seen ads offering to find a home for ANY pet, or actually paid to have their pet rehomed and who, ultimately, we unable to track the surrendered pets. Some of the ads appeared in the classified sections of local newspapers.
The AWFNJ coordinated with local rescue groups, SPCA's, and Petfinder.com's email list to alert organizations to be on the watch for this and to alert the public about this type of scam. In order to reach the public, the AWFNJ developed a classified ad to alert the public. These ads ran in the same papers where the alleged buncher advertised. The ads were written so that they appeared alphabetically BEFORE the buncher's ads so that potential victims would see our ad before the buncher's.
The AWFNJ also ran a display ad in the newspaper to attract attention to the problem and raise funds to continue the program. A handout was developed with tips about what to watch out for when rehoming pets. The handout was offered for free and was included in the Petfinder library for further exposure. The story was also reprinted in the AWFNJ newsletter.
After the campaign began, the AWFNJ fielded hundreds of phone calls from members from the public and was able to successful direct these individuals to legitimate organizations or encourage them to keep their pets with behavior advice.
Courtesy
of
194
Route 10
East Hanover, NJ 07936
Contact: Karen Dixon, President
856-424-2288, ext. 109
kdixon@snip.net
EMAIL
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