A kennel registered to a Fort Collins address is likely a scam preying on customers' love of animals, according to the BBB of Wyoming and Colorado.

Ace Kennels, registered at 3458 Carlton Ave. in Fort Collins — a fictitious address — is allegedly selling puppies for about $600 to out-of-state buyers, then seeking nearly $2,000 more for specialized crates to fly the dogs to their new homes.

The BBB has received six complaints about Ace Kennels since January, said Shelley Polansky, vice president of communications and outreach. Three complaints have been closed because BBB has been unable to contact Ace; three are still pending, Polansky said.

Two complaints involved buyers from Florida and Kentucky, who reported paying more than $600 for a pitbull puppy that was to include shipping via air.

The Florida customer wrote that on Jan. 12, the seller called to say he was at the airport and needed an additional $1,600 for an air-conditioned dog crate. When the buyer asked what airline the dog would be shipped on, the seller said he didn't know and that the buyer had to pay for the crate first, according to the complaint.

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The Kentucky customer was asked for $1,900 to buy an "electric crate" for the puppy.

All but 2 percent of the money, the seller told them, would be refunded by the airline once the puppy arrived.

The seller "used different tactics so it seemed to the buyer there had to be a specialized crate to justify the dollar amount," Polansky said. Both buyers declined and contacted the BBB.

Ace Kennels' website is no longer active; it does not have a Fort Collins sales tax license and is not registered with the Colorado Secretary of State's Office.

Contacted by the Coloradoan on an almost inaudible phone line, a man who acknowledged he worked for Ace Kennels said he would call back, but as of deadline had not responded.

Other buyers or potential buyers got concerned about Ace Kennels' tactics and reported them, according to complaints on the BBB's website.

"I contacted the company about buying a dog and it seems fishy to me ..." one complaint stated. "After questioning (the seller) about my suspicions, he ceased contact."

Another wrote, "These people are trying to sell pitbull puppies and taking your money and making up excuses for more money needed and they don't have any puppies to sell."

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A quick scan of United, Southwest, Frontier and Delta airlines' pet-shipping policies showed different rules, but none lists specialized kennels or air-conditioned kennels needed to fly within the U.S.

Delta warns of potential animal scams. "The scammer will say the airline is requiring a temperature controlled crate, shipping insurance, additional paperwork or money for shots," the airline says on its website. Delta will not ship animals during extreme weather, over 80 degrees or under 20 degrees, while the animal is on the ground at any point in the routing.

United only requires approved shipping kennels made of hard plastic and vents on three sides.

Neither Southwest nor Frontier allow animals to fly as baggage, according to their websites.

Pet scams are prevalent throughout the U.S., Polansky said. "Especially for members of our communities, dogs and pets are very popular."

Polansky warned that many online pet listings are fake. She warned that a sale is likely a scam if the buyer is asked to pay more than the original price, "especially if the buyer has never met the puppy or seller in person."

To avoid becoming a victim of a puppy scam, Polansky advises buyers to pay by credit card so the charge can be disputed if they don't get the puppy. "As a consumer, it gives you additional protections."

Visit bbb.org/scamtracker/us to report a scam or potential scam.

Pat Ferrier is a senior reporter covering business, health care and growth issues in Northern Colorado. Please support her work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by subscribing: See Coloradoan.com/subscribe to learn how.