Because of the stay-at-home orders, many people are feeling isolated during this pandemic. Since being around other humans is difficult at the moment, one of the ways to have some companionship is to have a pet. There have been reports that animal shelters from around the nation have actually “run out” of animals, because so many people are looking to rescue one. Obviously, people are looking to buy pets as well, and are turning to online pet sellers.
Unfortunately, there has been a big uptick in the number of pet scams – particularly puppy scams – during the past couple of months. These scams have been around for a while; one 2017 report said that at least 80% of links found during an internet search for for-sale puppies were fraudulent. But, with the urgent need to have a companion for the lockdown more and more people are falling for these scams - sometimes losing several thousands of dollars in the process. People select a puppy online, pay for the animal, its vaccines, its shipping, and other fees, but the dog never arrives.
Some people dismiss Christianity as a scam. They say that we’ve been talking about Jesus’ return for thousands of years, happily taking people’s tithe and offerings along the way, but He has not arrived. While it’s true that we might not understand fully why Jesus has not returned yet, the Bible is clear that He is not on our schedule, we are on His. And as we look back on history, God always keeps His promises. “Most important, know this: in the last days scoffers will come, jeering, living by their own cravings, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? After all, nothing has changed—not since the beginning of creation, nor even since the ancestors died.’… The Lord isn’t slow to keep his promise, as some think of slowness, but he is patient toward you, not wanting anyone to perish but all to change their hearts and lives” (2 Peter 3:3,4,9). May we continue to put our trust in God and wait patiently for His return!