A Beagle in a red collar with a round tag sitting on a concrete front step in front of a white door

October 5, 2026 Jessica Northrup

Pet Flipping: What It Is and How to Protect Your Pet

Pet flipping is when someone takes a pet and sells it to a new family. According to the American Kennel Club, “Dog flipping occurs when someone takes dogs away from their owners’ homes or offices, claims to be a lost dog’s owner, or gets a dog from a shelter with the intention of reselling the pup for a quick profit.”

Animal Law Update describes another version. A pet has been found and is held at an animal shelter, or has been advertised as found, and a person who claims to be the pet’s family turns around and sells the pet to someone else. In 2013, Time Magazine wrote that police say pet flipping has reportedly been on the rise in places such as Kansas City, St. Louis and Indianapolis.

What the law says about taking a pet

California’s Penal Code section 487e says: “Every person who feloniously steals, takes, or carries away a companion animal of another which is of a value exceeding nine hundred fifty dollars ($950) is guilty of grand theft.” The same section defines the term: “‘companion animal’ means an animal, including, but not limited to, a dog or a cat that a person keeps and provides care for as a household pet or otherwise for the purpose of companionship, emotional support, service, or protection.”

Section 487g covers taking an animal in order to sell it: “Every person who steals or maliciously takes or carries away any animal of another for purposes of sale, medical research, slaughter, or other commercial use, or who knowingly, by any false representation or pretense, defrauds another person of any animal for purposes of sale, medical research, slaughter, or other commercial use is guilty of a public offense punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or in the state prison.” Both sections are California law.

How pet parents can protect a pet

Identification is the first step. The ASPCA says all animal companions, even indoor-only pets, should always wear a collar with an ID tag that includes the pet parent’s name, current phone number and any relevant contact information. Humane World for Animals says “identification tags are your pet’s first ticket home.”

A yellow Labrador Retriever wearing a blue collar with a blank round silver ID tag

A microchip is the backup. Humane World for Animals says, “Microchips are an essential backup option for pet identification but should never be the main one.” It also says a microchip “isn’t the same as a GPS device, and it can’t be used to track your pet’s whereabouts.” Reading a chip takes a special scanner, which an animal services officer or a shelter will have. It says pets with chips are “much more likely to be returned” to their families than pets without one, and also, “microchips aren’t foolproof, and you shouldn’t rely on them exclusively to protect your pet.”

A chip only works when it is registered. Humane World for Animals puts it this way: “just getting a microchip isn’t enough. You also need to register your pet’s microchip to link the chip number to your name and contact information.” The ASPCA adds, “microchips are only as good as the information provided to the chip’s company. If you’ve moved or changed your phone number since registering your pet’s chip, be sure to submit an update as soon as possible.”

If a pet goes missing

Start close to home. The ASPCA says, “As soon as you notice your pet is missing, talk to your family members or housemates and ask where they last saw your pet.” It also says to search the home carefully, including under beds, in closets and behind bulky furniture, in case the pet is hiding or sleeping, and to ask neighbors to check sheds and garages.

Then make calls. The ASPCA says, “Calls should be made to the local animal control agencies, veterinary hospitals, shelters (both municipal and private) and rescue groups in your area. One of them may already have your pet in custody.” It also says to check in with shelters every day and to visit in person with photos of the pet. “If there are no shelters close to your home, contact the police.”

Next, make a flyer. This is the ASPCA’s advice for it: “Include a clearly printed, recent photo of your pet and list the breed, sex, coloring, age, weight, any distinguishing features and when and where he or she was last seen.” Humane World for Animals lists places to post notices: “grocery stores, laundromats, community centers, veterinary offices, dog parks, pet supply stores and other locations.” It explains why telling people matters: “When people know your dog is missing, they’ll want to help. Otherwise, they may assume the animal is abandoned and needs a home.”

Be careful with strangers who answer a lost pet notice. Humane World for Animals says, “If a stranger claims to have found your dog, ask them to describe your pet and send you a photo. Be wary of anyone who asks for money before they’ll return your dog.” It adds, “Many experts recommend that you omit one identifying characteristic when advertising a lost pet. Be skeptical of anyone who claims to have found your pet but can’t describe this characteristic.”

If you find a lost pet instead, the ASPCA says, “contact your local shelter for guidance on the best steps to take.” For a pet that stays missing, Humane World for Animals says, “Animals who have been lost for months (and even years) have been reunited” with their families, and “Persistence and a systematic approach are key.”

What to check before you buy or adopt a pet

The ASPCA warns about buying a puppy online: “A puppy bought online could be sourced from a cruel puppy mill, suffer from health and behavioral problems, or could not exist at all.” Its advice is, “The best way to avoid supporting cruelty or being taken advantage of is not to buy a puppy online.”

A white dog looking out through a rusty wire cage with another dog behind it

If a pet already has a microchip, Humane World for Animals says to use the AAHA online microchip lookup tool “to see if your pet’s microchip has been registered and to update the information. If the chip hasn’t been registered, you can simply register it with your name and contact information.” If you do not know the chip number, it says to ask your vet, animal shelter or local rescue group to scan the pet and give you the number.

The Canine Health Information Center was created by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. For buyers, the program “provides accurate information about the results of a breeder’s health testing.” It covers breeds that take part in the program.

Shelters and rescue groups

Upkeep for pets is very pricey, especially for certain breeds. Shelters and rescue groups are also places to find a new pet, and there are many reasons to adopt a pet from one.

Two dogs running across a grassy field, the black and white one holding a tennis ball in its mouth

Purebred dogs in shelters are very low in numbers, so it might be good to opt for a mixed breed instead.

Check out some of our cute dog rescue shirts to show your support for the victims of this practice. We ensure that a fourth of the proceeds are donated to no-kill animal shelters.

FAQ

Is dog flipping against the law?

In California, Penal Code section 487e makes it grand theft to steal a companion animal of another worth more than $950, and section 487g covers taking an animal of another for the purpose of sale.

How many dogs are stolen each year?

A 2021 Cronkite News report says the American Kennel Club estimates that nearly two million dogs are stolen each year.

Can a microchip track a stolen pet?

No. Humane World for Animals says a microchip “isn’t the same as a GPS device, and it can’t be used to track your pet’s whereabouts.” The chip holds an identification number, and a shelter or vet clinic that scans it can contact the registry for the pet parent’s name and phone number.

Sources

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