How To Safely Buy A Puppy Online
Thinking of purchasing a puppy online? It is actually a brilliant idea because it is very convenient. Nonetheless, finding the right little furry friend online isn’t a straight forward process. First, there are plenty of many scam websites that purport to sell puppies on the web. Secondly, even the legitimate sites that claim to sell puppies on the web are from breeders that don’t sell the best breeds. So you can’t trust every site that promises to sell you pups. Simply put, it isn’t safe to purchase your pup from every site you come across.
Fortunately, you can purchase your pup online safely. Just be careful of the site you choose your adorable new companion from. To assist you with purchasing your pup safely on the web, below are helpful tips to get you started.
Are you ready to Purchase a Pup Online?
Most people choose to purchase pups online for different reasons. Some opt to purchase due to the convenience that comes with purchasing online. Others buy because they expect to see a wide selection of puppy breeds. From the research previously done by KC (Kennel Club), 10% of puppy buyers purchased their pups on an impulse.
Others reported buying their little furry companions online simply because they never actually had a good dog facility in mind. Others choose to purchase their pups on the web because they deemed it suitable to purchase online. But before embarking on your journey to purchasing a pup on the web, ensure you understand what you are up to. Ensure you are committed to purchasing a healthy pup. Be certain that you can safely get a pup from a reputable site.
Get References
Some of your coworkers, friends, and family members might have safely purchased their pup online in the past. Start with getting references from them regarding the site they bought their pup from. Get all the important details about the site. Don’t forget to enquire from them whether the site sells a wide array of puppy breeds for buyers to pick from.
With references from people who have actually bought their pups on the site they are referring you to, you are assured that purchasing your pup is safe. Nonetheless, don’t seek references from people who are affiliated with the dog sites they are recommending to you. Again, references should strictly be from people who have recently purchased puppies that you can actually see for yourself.
Do your Research
Just like you wouldn’t purchase a car or home online without thinking about it carefully, the same goes for purchasing a puppy online. Do in-depth research on the site you intend to buy your lovely pet from. The more research you do, the high the possibility of getting the right breed will be. First, research on accredited sites. These sites are certified by the Kennel Club organization. They sell the best puppies from all breeds. There are simply not puppy mills.
Unlike other sites, these sites don’t sponsor online ads. More importantly, they don’t sell dogs and pups that are illegally smuggled. In the UK for instance, there are thousands of legitimate sites that sell pups. Most of these pups are from rescue centers and reputable breeders. But before purchasing a pup on the internet, do research on the site you plan to buy the pup from. Ensure they are legitimate and that they aren’t from suspected dog mills.
The preferred site should further list all the breeds they have in store. They must also be working with legitimate breeders. Be cautious of pups that are sold by commercial breeding facilities. Such facilities are riddled with poor conditions and quick breeding. Furthermore, research on sites that are licensed. A license offers buyers with a solemn proof that the puppies sold are of good health, and that their breeding history can be easily traced.
Be cautious of sites that use online ads to promote the pups they are selling. The pups sold by such sites are usually smuggled, ill-treated or stolen before they are advertised to innocent dog lovers. The ads are mostly misleading. They are intended to lure unsuspecting pup lovers into purchasing pups.
Contact the Site
Once you settle on a couple of legitimate sites, call them via the number on their site. Prior to buying a pup online, ensure their representatives can speak to you directly via phone regarding the choice of pup you plan to buy from them. Sites that give their numbers are most trustworthy. They are also easily accessible and ready to provide their contact information.
Is there anywhere on the site where you can check testimonials from previous buyers?
A site that doesn’t give testimonials is most likely a scam. With testimonials, you can easily clarify whether the site sells the best pups going by past clients’ testimonials. Some testimonials are negative although others are positive. Although clients have different opinions on every site, there are some that will definitely give a clear indication as to whether the site is worth buying from or not. If the testimonials are overly positive, it shows the dog lovers who purchased puppies from them were pleased with the pups they sold them. However, if a particular site has negative testimonials, their likelihood of selling good pups are low. Just like you would check on clients’ reviews if you were to purchase any item online, check whether the testimonials give an indication as to whether the site is worthy buying your furry friend from.
Does the Site Encourage Personal Visits?
The site should allow you to visit their facility before purchasing your pup. Visiting their facility is the surest way to learn more about the pups they are selling. If a site encourages personal visit before purchasing from them, the possibility of them being legitimate is high.
The site should be ready to showcase their facility to prospective buyers. Once you visit their facility, check their breeding conditions, and further see to it that the pups they have in stock are raised in good conditions. Check whether the breeder has several types of pups. Request to see the license and further seek to verify their certification upon visiting their facility. Most importantly, the facility should give proof that their pups are genetically tested for all breed-related problems.
Avoid Getting Scammed
Rogue puppy sites masquerade as genuine puppy sellers. They usually post photos of cute pups to lure unsuspecting buyers. They are certain that buyers will be attracted by such photos. Such sites will deploy every tactic to ensure innocent animal lovers purchase their canines. For instance, some unscrupulous sites will contact you to inform you they will deliver the pup to your home upon paying a certain upfront fee. Others will rush you into purchasing a pup, noting that there is just a single pup. To avoid getting scammed when purchasing your pup online, below is what you should do.
- Pay for the pup after confirming that a site is legitimate
- Visit their facility to confirm their pups are real
- Refrain from sites that demand you pay before the pup is delivered to your home
- Make plans to visit their facility when the puppies are a few weeks old, instead of when they are ready for sale. It is vital to ensure that the pup isn’t smuggled and that you can trace its breeding history.
- Never purchase from a site that uses fake ads.
Insist on Seeing Personalized Photos
Avoid getting lured by sites that use photos to advertise their puppies. Instead, ask the site to send you photos of puppies from different ages. Insist on getting photos that offer details of each pup the site has in store. The photos should be taken from various angles for you to verify they aren’t edited whatsoever. They should also include both the mother and the pup. Genuine sites won’t hesitate to post photos of their pups and their mothers. Nevertheless, scam sites will always give an excuse as to why they can’t provide the photo of the pup alongside its mother. They can’t post the photo of the mother simply because they know she is kept in a deprived environment.
Looks for Signs of Illegally Bred Pups
Some sites are infamous for selling illegally bred pups. As a potential puppy buyer, you must be alert to any signs of illegally bred puppies. Even when a site is reputable, it doesn’t mean they are selling legally bred puppies. A clear sign that site could be selling illegally bred furry little ones include the absence of the puppies’ mothers. Secondly, the seller doesn’t provide details of the pups’ past history. The problem with purchasing illegally bred pups is that you risk taking part in fueling illegal trade that breeds pups for profit. The sites that support this trade has no concern for the dogs’ welfare. This exposes their pups to suffering in the near future.
Conclusion
Concern buyers always wonder whether it is safe for them to purchase pups online. Purchasing online can be safe depending on where prospective dog parent purchases their pup from. Again, it depends on whether the site you are purchasing from is reputable. Nonetheless, ensure you don’t rush to purchase your pup online unless you are sure you won’t be ripped off your cash.
