I think it looks like a scam as well, but then again I think gambling and the lottery are scams too. I mean, the auction isn't a scam if you win, but it makes you think you are only spending a penny on the animal, when you actually paid $.55 for each bid you placed. The only smart way to go about it would be to wait till the very last second to bid, anyone bidding from the start is just wasting bids/money.