Florida

Scam sparks new warning for Florida pet owners

Published

2 years ago

May 29, 2024

Scam sparks new warning for Florida pet owners

Florida animal control officials are warning owners of lost pets that they may be targeted by a scam that preys on their desperation to find their missing companions.

The Palm Beach County Department of Public Safety’s Animal Care and Control division (PCB ACC) alerted pet owners to the scam in a Facebook post on Tuesday. The scheme apparently involves phone calls that fraudulently attempt to convince locals that their lost pets have been found while demanding money for their safe return.

Scammers target the owners of missing pets somewhat frequently. Those who publicly share details about their lost pets and contact information online are particularly vulnerable.

“It has come to our attention that scammers are targeting owners of lost pets,” the post reads. “Someone is representing themselves as an employee of our shelter and trying to collect money. PBC ACC will never and ask for money over the phone.”

“Please do not transfer funds or share account/credit card numbers with anyone representing themselves as us,” it continues. “If you have a lost pet, please post your pet on our SNAP website and continue to check the website daily.”

A person is pictured stapling a “missing dog” poster to a tree in this undated file photo. Officials in Palm Beach County, Florida, this week warned the owners of missing pets that they may be…

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In an additional Facebook post, public safety officials said that the targeted victims of the scam were “community members who post their information on lost pet websites” before receiving “calls from someone identifying themselves as an employee of ACC.”

Local ABC affiliate WPBF reported that some victims were targeted after sharing lost pet posts on the app Nextdoor. Scammers also reportedly targeted those who made similar posts on the Pawboost and Petco Love Lost websites and the Loxahatchee Lost and Found Facebook page.

Newsweek reached out for comment to PBC ACC via online contact form and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office via email on Wednesday night.

Palm Beach County’s “SNAP” website hosts a large number of listings for lost and found pets, primarily cats and dogs, alongside photos of the missing animals. The site also features a section listing unclaimed pets that have an “urgent” need for adoption.

Officials in Wake County, North Carolina, issued a similar scam alert last month, informing locals that someone was calling those with missing pets while claiming to be an employee of the Wake County Animal Center and demanding money for urgent pet surgery, according to The News & Observer.

Newsweek previously reported on a woman who said that she was targeted by a scammer who contacted her with claims of having found her missing husky. When she refused to pay $400 for the dog’s return, the scammer tried to extract money from the woman, who is straight, by threatening to expose an affair to her non-existent wife.

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Related Topics:animals cats crime dogs Featured Florida lost pets scams

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Florida

How to save your Florida plants after a winter freeze: A guide

Published

7 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Press Room

How to save your Florida plants after a winter freeze: A guide

If your yard was damaged by the freezing temperatures, don’t panic. Some plants may look worse before they get better.
Scratch the bark of a plant lightly with a fingernail or a coin. If the revealed area is green, the plant is still alive.
Water your plants. Moist soil holds more heat than dry soil and releases it slowly overnight.

Recent freezing weather may have damaged plants in your yard, but not all damage is permanent.

Some plants may look worse before they get better, according to Sara MacDonald at the St. Lucie County Extension office of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

We compiled a list of things residents should do with their plants after freezing temperatures to help them recover and avoid causing more damage, along with some tips for preventing damage before the next freeze. Here’s what to do to tell if your plant has been killed, and how to save it if it still has a chance.

How to tell if a plant is killed by freezing temperatures, or just damaged

Scratch the bark of a plant lightly with a fingernail or a coin. If the revealed area is green, the plant is still alive. If it is brown or black, the plant is likely dead.

Guidelines for watering Florida plants before and after a freeze

Here are some things to remember when watering plants:

Moist soil holds more heat than dry soil and releases it slowly overnight
Cold, windy weather can dry plants out
Water plants to help thaw soil and rehydrate roots
Container plants may need extra attention
Suspend irrigation during freezing conditions

What NOT to do after plants are frozen

Here are some things to avoid if your plants suffered during low temperatures.

Avoid heavy pruning right after a freeze. Cutting too early can remove living tissue and stimulate vulnerable new growth.
Don’t fertilize right after a freeze. Wait until warmer weather and active growth return
Don’t over-water. Watering is important to help plants that dried out in the cold, dry air, but drowning the plants will cause more harm than good.

How to protect Florida plants from the next freeze

Another cold front is moving through Florida on Thursday, Feb. 5., so here are some tips to protect your plants.

Cover your plants to trap heat from the soil, and make sure the cover reaches the ground, said Maria Quirico Bautista, a UF/IFAS Lake County residential horticulture agent via email Jan. 29. Secure the cover with bricks or pins, especially this weekend since very gusty winds are expected.

Recommended covers include:

frost cloth
burlap
old bed sheets

Additionally, apply 2 to 3 inches of mulch to insulate roots, but avoid piling mulch against the trunk.

You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://tcpalm.com/newsletters.

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Florida

FSU football recruiting: Florida High’s Keenen Jeune signs as a walk-on

Published

19 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Press Room

FSU football recruiting: Florida High’s Keenen Jeune signs as a walk-on

Florida State football picked up another local product during National Signing Day. Florida High’s WR Keenen Jeune announced on Wednesday morning that he will be a preferred walk-on for the Seminoles and officially on Wednesday afternoon.

Jeune had a career year as a senior after finishing the last season with 46 catches, 759 receiving yards and five touchdowns. As a three-year starter, he recorded 73 catches, 1,138 receiving yards and five scores. He made second-team All-Big Bend.

The Tallahassee native is the fourth local player to be part of the 2026 class. Jeune joins Godby’s linebacker Trenton Rogers, who also signed his letter on the same day, and Gadsden County’s Jakobe Green and Daylen Green, both of whom are already enrolled.

Florida High finished 5-7 last season.

Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.

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Florida

Florida warns of Amber Alert scam. Here’s what’s happening

Published

1 day ago

February 4, 2026

Press Room

Florida warns of Amber Alert scam. Here’s what’s happening

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