![]() This will also help you so that you have the proper medical information when you bring your puppy home and you will know what shots are needed next. You should be sure that the puppy has been seen by a licensed veterinarian and know where the puppy is on their shot-schedule. Ask for proof. Don’t be shy - responsible breeders will be happy to share information about your puppy’s parents, and proof of health records and screenings.How big are the parents? What do they look like? What kind of temperament do they have? Have the parents achieved any AKC titles or awards? Ask about the breed and how your pup’s parents compare to the official breed standard and other breed traits. Ask anything and everything that you might want to know about the breed, the breeder, and the available puppies. Ask questions. Responsible breeders and puppy sellers love to chat and educate about dogs.Meeting in person is great whenever possible. Meet your breeder or puppy seller. Always ask to talk on the phone or video chat.Analyze reviews and referrals. The best sources for purebred puppies will have ample positive reviews or referrals from satisfied puppy owners proving they are legitimate and reputable.While scammers are likely to start talking money immediately, legitimate sources will always take time and diligence to make sure the dog you are choosing is a good fit for your family. “The excitement of buying a new pet can cloud good judgement, and victims can be hurt financially and emotionally when they realize they have lost their money, and hopes for a new pet.” How Can I Safely Find a Breeder or Puppy Seller Online? ![]() “Scammers love to try to take advantage of people when they are in high emotion situations,” said Steve Bernas, president and CEO of BBB serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. Sixty percent of these reports indicated the consumers never received the pets they purchased, and others received pets that had health or genetic problems and did not receive documentation for their pet. The FTC estimates that only about 10 percent of victims report these crimes, so this number could be much higher. How Many People Have Been Affected by Puppy Scams?Īccording to BBB data, nearly 10,000 scam reports and complaints have come in during the last three years about “businesses” selling puppies and dogs. Breeder “badges.” AKC does not distribute badges to breeders.If the seller says they register their dogs with a specific organization, you can call the organization to confirm. Purebred dogs sold at deeply discounted prices are typically frauds. Research the prices for the breed you are considering ahead of time. Paying by credit card or PayPal are typically the safest options. Avoid paying a stranger using apps such as Venmo, as it is harder to get your money back if you don’t get what you paid for. Be aware that if you choose a non-secure method of payment, it is highly unlikely that you will get your money back. The seller asks for wiring of money or payment by gift cards. Search for the text in the listing to see if the seller copied and pasted it from another site. Photos of the dog or ad text can be found on multiple websites. and may be hiding their phone number by only communicating by email. Fraudulent sellers are oftentimes outside of the U.S. A reputable breeder will always communicate with you via phone or video chat (if not in person) before selling you a puppy. The seller prefers to handle communication by email and not the phone. Luckily, it’s easy to know what to look for to ensure your puppy buying experience is both safe and enjoyable. While many times these fake listings appear on websites like Craigslist, some scammers find ways to position themselves as reputable breeders by stealing personal info from them. This means that if you aren’t careful, you could find the perfect puppy, send the ‘breeder’ your money, and never receive a puppy or any follow-up communication in return. Puppy scammers post fake litters online or pretend to be someone they’re not, usually an existing breeder, to take advantage of rising puppy sales. Here’s everything you need to know before starting your online puppy search. And it’s even easier to find a good breeder when you know what questions to ask. In today’s digital world, almost everyone uses the internet for shopping, including finding a new puppy! Don’t worry - it’s easy to spot puppy scams online if you know the red flags. But unfortunately, as more people look to buy puppies, puppy scams are also on the rise. Puppy buying is at an all-time high - so it’s no surprise that you may be on the search for a new dog right now.
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