Reply Instead of falling victim to one of the online scams involving pets, try making an adoption from one of the animal shelters in or near Decatur. (Shutterstock) DECATUR, GA — Online scammers have been busy as the holiday season has collided with the COVID-19 pandemic in Decatur. One type of scam that is particularly alarming, and gaining strength, involves puppies and other pets such as kittens, iguanas and lizards. A spike in the number of reported pet scams has been noticeable since the pandemic started and is likely to grow as the winter holidays approach, according to the Better Business Bureau.