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Animal Flipping is a New Trend, Lynchburg Woman Becomes Victim


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Lynchburg, VA - You've heard of flipping a house or car for profit, but have you heard about animal flipping? It's a way some are trying to make quick cash and it's happening right here in our area.

A Lynchburg woman says she's a victim of it. She was looking for a good home for her Pomeranian, and thought she found one. But no sooner did she hand over her pup for free, that she found it on Craig's list for sale.

Max isn't the typical looking Pomeranian.

"Oh they're typically fluff balls, but his hair never grew back like that," said Max's owner.

The 8-year-old is the short-haired kind, but has always been a wonderful, happy pet, until a baby came in the picture.

"Max is just scared of her toys and balls, anything that moves. And I wanted to give him a good home where he could just sit on someone's lap all day. So, I resorted to Craigslist and really wish I didn't," said Max's owner.

Max's owner did not want to go on camera, but agreed to tell ABC 13 her experience. She posted an ad on Craigslist to find Max a loving home. After deciding on the best owner, she gave him over for free.

"It was hours later she put him back on Craigslist," said Max's owner.

The young woman who agreed to care for Max, turned around and put him up for sale for $100. But by the time she found out, Max had already been sold. This is called animal flipping and it's more common than you'd think. There are even web sites dedicated to putting a stop to it. Unfortunately this practice is perfectly legal, but there are still ways to avoid becoming a victim.

The Lynchburg Humane Society suggests charging a fee or making a home visit before giving it up. The extra leg work could save you the heartache and money.

After giving Max away for free, his original owner bought him back for $100.

"It's hard to think that people would take an innocent, little dog just to try and make whatever amount of money on them; it's sick," said Max's owner.

The Lynchburg Humane Society hadn't heard of animal flipping before. But Campbell County says that this type of thing happens all the time.

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