Missing cat scam targets Peninsula pet owners

Published 6:00 pm Friday, March 6, 2026

A suspected scammer is targeting owners of missing cats on the Peninsula, asking for money in exchange for information about their pets.

The scam surfaced after a cat named Thunder went missing and the owners received a message from someone claiming they knew where the cat was. The person said someone else had the animal and would reveal the location if the owners paid $100.

Lesli Steeves, an administrator with Reuniting Owners with Animals Missing (ROAM), said Thunder’s case was not a the first.

“We had two other instances yesterday of the same person,” Steeves said. “In all three cases, it was the same email address.”

According to Steeves, the scammer appears to be finding phone numbers posted publicly on missing pet notices and contacting owners directly.

“People are very vulnerable when their pets are missing. Their emotions are high,” she said. “He’s playing with people’s emotions.”

One of those contacted was Elisha Mieeni, a 21-year-old Peninsula resident whose 10-year-old cat Mila went missing on March 2.

Mieeni said she received a message from someone claiming they had seen her cat shortly after she posted about the disappearance online.

“I was expecting to get a tip from someone around the area,” she said. “But they made up a story saying the cat was with somebody else.”

The text message said the person could provide Mila’s location if Mieeni paid a reward in advance.

When she asked if they could meet in person instead of sending money, the response raised further suspicion.

“They said they wouldn’t be here until next week and asked if I was okay with my cat being gone that long,” she said.

After becoming suspicious, Mieeni contacted ROAM volunteers, who confirmed that similar messages had been reported by other pet owners in the area.

“It was very frustrating because I realized this person was preying on people going through a very stressful situation,” she said. “I’m thankful I didn’t fall for it, but someone else might.”

In Thunder’s case, a police complaint has been filed regarding the suspected scam.

Thunder’s owners say they received a text that said ‘I saw your cat,’ which they immediately responded to and ultimately turned out to be an exact scam story that happened with Mieeni.

“If someone really has your cat, they should be able to send a picture or give specific information about the animal,” Steeves said.

While the incident caused concern, Mieeni said Mila was safely found days later after being spotted resting in a nearby yard.

“She wasn’t in anyone’s house,” Mieeni said. “She was sleeping in someone’s yard and they saw her and called me.”

Although relieved to have her pet back, she said she hopes the person behind the messages stops targeting worried pet owners.

Thunder has been missing for over a week. Volunteers say while the situation is worrying for owners, it is not uncommon for cats to disappear for several days before returning home.

For now, the family continues searching the neighbourhood and putting up posters while hoping for a legitimate sighting. “Mostly, right now, they just want their cat back,” Steeves said.