The internet really pisses me off.
May 12th, 2008Well, our lost kitty showed up this morning safe and sound. He was pretty dirty, so I’m guessing he was in someone’s garage hiding and got locked in. In the meantime, I’ve received no less than three e-mail solicitations for money from people who are willing to find my lost pet!
Someone named “Josh Thomas” sent me this little gem from josh_money.pets@yahoo.com:
Hi, my name is josh ..i am from Italy but i live in Untied State of America …i never ment to do what i have done ..but i just don’t have choice …so i am willing to tell you that your cat is with me..i stole it..and the reason why i did that is because ..my mum is dieing of cancer in Italy and with need some money for her treatment but no one seems to help me out so i decided to steal ..dogs and cats and gets some money from people to save my mum..so if you know want your cat back you will have to pay sum of $500 and i will also like you to email me back to this mail box below: gymestore2009@gmail.com so that i can reply and tell you were to get your dog back…
Hope to read from you….
Really? Wow. That’s at least up-front and honest blackmail. But then I get these e-mails:
Regarding your Petfinder’s ad
Dear Pet Guardian this is a bona fide offer.
The Pet Rescue is sad to hear of your lost pet and we would like to offer our professional organization to help you find your loved one.
Please check out our site: www.thepetrescue.com we want to help with the opportunity to place an ad on our site for free for 10 days with one picture (175×175 pixels maximum). Please visit the site for more information on this opportunity and its limitations (http://www,thepetrescue.com/gorescue.html).If you need reliable fast help, The Pet Rescue Team is available with the Premium Service(http://www.thepetrescue.com/gorescue.html). The Premium Service is a paid service ( $ 20.00) that includes the broadcast of the lost pet information and flyer to veterinarians, shelters etc., plus other services including user’s e-mail protection to avoid spam and con artists.
If your pet is registered with The Pet Rescue International Registry, Premium Ad is a free service.
The Pet Rescue LLC covers the entire United States and Canada and offers complete listing directories for Veterinarians, Shelters, Pet Sitters, and many other services.
Thank You
The Pet Rescue Team
thepetrescue@thepetrescue.com
From: PET DETECTIVE
To: washington8@msn.com
Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2008 9:04 AM
Subject: LOST DOG / LOST CAT.Missing Pet home in 24 to 48 hours after contacting Carl Washington.
TOP LOST PET TRACKER & ON-LINE PROFILER IN THE U.S., AS SEEN ON CNN & FOX TV, AND THE WASHINGTON POST and HEARD ON NPR Radio. Top trio of tracking dogs , just click his website for references.
http://www.petdetectiveusa.com, Emails: petdetective04@yahoo.com OR
carlwashington@bellsouth.net ; COAST-TO-COAST TRAVEL.I AM AVAILABLE FOR CALLS ,ALL HOURS OF THE DAY! YOU CAN REACH ME AT 706-339-2418 OR EMAIL ME IF YOU BELIEVE YOUR FAMILY MEMBER IS, LOST, TRAPPED, TAKEN IN, PICKED UP, STOLEN, OR INJURED.
There’s no telling how many of these people are out there ready and willing to take advantage of a grief-stricken pet owner. Lost your pet? No worries! Just send me money and I’ll find it for you! Oh, you already found your pet? Sorry, no refunds! Bwahaha! It’s actually kind of makes me sick to think about it. It’s like these “psychics” who claim to be able to find missing children, and then never do, while these grief-stricken families are pouring their money and wasting their time in a desperate attempt to find their child.
Be aware, fellow pet owners! These people are out there, and legitimate or not, they’re willing to make money off of your loss! They’re the Nigerian Prince e-mails of the pet world.

