MERRIAM, Kan. (KCTV) - A Kansas City animal shelter has an urgent warning for pet owners.

Great Plains SPCA said it is aware of criminals who claim to be with the shelter. According to the organization the criminals are preying on people who have a missing pet.

Great Plains said scammers are calling the animal owner and claim to have located the missing animal. The person on the phone claims the animal was injured and needs emergency surgery.

The scammers demand immediate payment to cover the procedure. In some cases it is thousands of dollars according to Great Plains SPCA.

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“We are heartbroken that scammers are preying on people during one of the most vulnerable moments a pet owner can face,”

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