If you’ve received an email claiming your pet business, rescue, or veterinary practice is listed on petshops1.com, you are not alone, and you should proceed with caution. Based on widespread reports from pet professionals, rescues, and consumer watchdogs, petshops1.com is widely reported as a scam website designed to exploit pet-related businesses and organizations.
After reviewing reports from the Better Business Bureau, scam trackers, and firsthand accounts from pet businesses, the conclusion is clear: this site should be avoided entirely.
This article explains what petshops1.com is, how the scam works, and what to do if you’ve been contacted.
⚠️ TL;DR: Scam Warning
Petshops1.com is widely reported as a scam.
The site allegedly uses unauthorized listings of pet businesses, rescues, and veterinarians to send phishing emails and solicit payments. Reports indicate risks of data theft, malware exposure, and fraudulent charges.
Do NOT click links, do NOT claim listings, and do NOT send payment.
If contacted, delete the email and mark it as spam or phishing.
Summarize This Content With AI
What Is Petshops1.com?
petshops1.com presents itself as an online directory for pet-related businesses, breeders, rescues, and services. On the surface, it appears to function like a listing or promotion platform.
However, reports indicate that listings are created without consent, using scraped information from legitimate businesses and organizations. Once listed, businesses are contacted and pressured to interact with the site, often under the guise of “claiming,” “verifying,” or “promoting” their listing.
Why Petshops1.com Is Considered a Scam
Unauthorized Use of Business Information
One of the most consistent complaints is that petshops1.com scrapes contact details from legitimate pet businesses, breeders, rescues, and veterinarians and publishes them without permission. This includes business names, addresses, and email information.
Many organizations only discover their listing after receiving a suspicious email claiming they are already featured on the site.
Phishing and Malware Risk
Multiple reports identify petshops1.com as a phishing operation. The goal is not legitimate promotion, it is data extraction.
Clicking links in emails associated with the site, including “unsubscribe” or “claim listing” links, may:
- Expose login credentials
- Install malware
- Compromise email or business accounts
This is a common tactic used by phishing scams to trick recipients into thinking they are opting out or correcting information.
Soliciting Payments Under False Pretenses
Once a business is listed without consent, scammers reportedly contact owners requesting payment to:
- “Verify” the listing
- “Promote” the profile
- Remove incorrect information
These offers do not provide legitimate services. Paying does not secure protection and may instead confirm your business as a target for further scams.
Fraudulent and Deceptive Emails
Veterinarians, rescues, and small pet businesses have reported receiving emails that:
- Appear urgent or official
- Claim listing ownership
- Imply missed opportunities or reputational risk
These messages are designed to provoke quick action, another hallmark of phishing schemes.
Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker Reports
The Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker includes multiple reports associated with petshops1.com, including:
- Stolen business information
- Unauthorized listings
- Attempts to solicit payment
- Data misuse
This reinforces the conclusion that the platform is not a legitimate pet directory.
What You Should NOT Do
If you are contacted by petshops1.com:
- Do not click any links
- Do not reply to emails
- Do not attempt to claim or correct a listing
- Do not provide payment or personal information
Even attempting to “unsubscribe” can trigger further exposure.
What You SHOULD Do Instead
- Delete the email immediately
- Mark it as spam or phishing in your email provider
- Warn other pet businesses or rescues in your network
- Monitor your business email and accounts for unusual activity
If your information appears publicly on the site, do not engage directly. Engagement often escalates targeting.
Why Pet Businesses Are Common Targets
Pet-related businesses, rescues, and breeders are frequent scam targets because:
- Many are small operations with limited tech support
- Public contact information is easy to scrape
- Emotional industries are easier to pressure
This is why awareness and education are critical.
Frequently Asked Questions About Petshops1.com
Is Petshops1.com a legitimate website?
No. Multiple reports from pet businesses, rescues, and the Better Business Bureau confirm that Petshops1.com is a scam. The site scrapes listings without permission and uses them to send phishing emails and solicit payments.
Can I safely click the “unsubscribe” link in their email?
No. Do not click any links in emails from Petshops1.com. Even links that appear harmless (like “unsubscribe”) have been reported to lead to phishing pages or install malware.
Why is my business or rescue listed on their site?
Scammers behind Petshops1.com reportedly copy public information from breeder and rescue websites to create fake listings. This is done without permission and may be used to lure in unsuspecting visitors or pressure businesses to pay for removal or “verification.”
What should I do if I already clicked a link or provided information?
If you interacted with the site or shared personal details, take immediate action:
- Run a malware and antivirus scan on your device
- Change passwords for any linked accounts
- Monitor for suspicious activity
- Report the incident to the FTC or your country’s cybercrime unit
Can I report the site?
Yes. You can file a report through:
- Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker
- FTC Report Fraud
- Your country’s cybercrime reporting portal
Final Verdict on Petshops1.com
Petshops1.com is not a legitimate directory or marketing platform.
It is widely reported as a phishing and scam operation that:
- Uses unauthorized listings
- Solicits payments under false claims
- Poses security and data risks
Avoid interaction entirely.
If you’re looking for legitimate ways to promote a pet business online, focus on platforms you control, your website, trusted directories, and reputable marketing tools, not unsolicited listings.
If you want help learning how to grow a real online presence the right way, that’s exactly what I teach here at Internet Incomes, without shortcuts, scams, or risk.
Looking For a Proven Way To Build Income Online?
If you’re tired of piecing together advice and want a clear path, this is the platform I used to learn how to build income online from the ground up. It gave me the structure, training, and support I needed to keep moving forward.
👉🏾 Read my full Wealthy Affiliate review to see how it works