Pinellas County officials are warning residents to hang up on callers posing as emergency animal control officers who demand immediate payment over the phone.
According to Pinellas County Animal Services Director Jennifer Renner, scammers are spoofing the county’s official caller ID so calls appear to come from a legitimate government number. The callers claim a resident’s lost pet is undergoing emergency surgery under anesthesia, then pressure the person to pay immediately by phone.
Animal Services says that scenario doesn’t match how the agency actually operates. Renner said that when the department takes in a lost or stray pet, staff bring the animal to the facility, stabilize it, and provide pain management if needed. The agency’s first priority is locating the pet’s family, and once that happens, owners are asked to come to the shelter in person to identify their pet. Renner said nearly all agency business is conducted face-to-face, and the department does not request payment over the phone when a pet is receiving emergency treatment.
Officials say the scam is designed to exploit the emotional bond between owners and their pets. Renner said she’s angered that scammers are preying on something as personal as concern for a family pet.
Pinellas County Animal Services is urging anyone who receives a suspicious call about a lost pet to hang up immediately. Residents are advised to call the agency back directly using its verified phone number or to contact local law enforcement to report the incident.
The information in this story comes from a public safety warning issued by Pinellas County Animal Services.
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