Thinking of a New Puppy? Experts Highlight 7 Red Flags That Could Signal a Scam
So, you’ve finally made up your mind to get your first puppy — congratulations!
It’s easy to get lost in the excitement , only to end up overlooking key red flags that shatter your dreams of a furry happily ever after. So, before you dive headfirst into the puppy-buying world, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) — UK’s largest animal welfare charity — cautions aspiring dog owners to be keen on puppy scam red flags.
In a TikTok video, the RSPCA summarizes some of the common red flags to watch out for as you embark on your online puppy purchase journey. These red flags include: a seller who insists on delivering the puppy to you at a designated spot, selling you a puppy under eight weeks old, not letting you meet the puppy’s mother, and pressuring you to complete the purchase.
Recent findings compiled by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) revealed that in 2023 alone, Americans lost over $1 million to online puppy scams. In addition to online scammers, the market is also flooded with wannabe breeders in the form of “backyard breeders” and “puppy mill operators,” who are all about fattening their pockets at the expense of the dogs in their care.
6 Red Flags You Can’t Afford to Ignore When Buying a Puppy
To avoid being a victim of these never-ending scams as you browse the internet for the puppy of your dreams, keep these dog breeder red flags in mind:
1. They Don’t Want You to See The Dog Beforehand
If the seller you’ve bumped into online declines your request for a site visit to physically see the puppy they’ve advertised or is against video calls, you should run for the hills. Remember, pictures sent via email chats alone aren’t enough proof that the dog you’ve come across in an advertisement exists.
“Do not agree to purchase a pet before seeing it in person. 99% of the scams that are reported to us could have been avoided if that person saw that pet in question, or saw that the pet in question doesn’t exist,” explained expert Josh Planos of Better Business Bureau.
2. Too Many Ads on Social Media Marketplaces & Online Listings
Typically, you won’t find a genuine breeder flooding online platforms with adverts of the different breeds of puppies they have for sale, and that’s because these legit breeders often have a waiting list of potential buyers. If you come across frequent online advertisements of puppies for sale from the same seller every other day, they likely run a puppy mill or practice backyard breeding.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) also advises potential dog owners to dig deeper into any photos sent by an online puppy seller.
“Conduct a reverse image search of the picture of the pet you are considering. If the same picture appears on multiple websites, it’s likely a fraud. You can also search for distinctive text from ads or testimonials to see if the seller copied it from another website,” explained experts at BBB.
3. Pressuring You to Make a Deposit
Oftentimes, puppy scammers pressure their victims to put down a deposit without even giving tangible proof of the puppy’s existence. And usually, these scammers do not have in place a puppy contract that captures the terms and conditions of your deposit as well as the health guarantees you’ll get when you purchase the puppy (as is the case with legitimate breeders) So, consider pushy sellers a huge red flag.
4. Unable to Answer Hard-hitting Questions
Before purchasing a puppy from an online seller, it’s important to gather as much information as possible about the dog. A good breeder has this information at their fingertips because the dog’s welfare is their priority, and they want to ensure every puppy under their care finds a good home.
A scammer, on the other hand, will likely not be knowledgeable about the puppy under their care.
Ever wondered about “questions for a breeder” or “questions for breeder when picking out a puppy?” Well, here are some key questions to ask a breeder before purchasing a puppy from them, according to the American Kennel Club:
- What’s your experience with this breed?
- Has the puppy undergone genetic health testing? (Ask for documentation)
- What requirements do you have for those interested in getting a puppy from you?
- Can you provide up-to-date vaccination records?
- Do you provide a puppy sale/ puppy agreement contract?
5. Puppy Less than Eight Weeks Old
A puppy should be with their mother and littermates for at least eight weeks, as this is crucial for their early socialization skills and personality development. Beware of any breeder ready to sell puppies that are not over eight weeks of age.
6. They Don’t Want You to Meet the Puppy’s Mother
Before taking home your dream puppy, be sure to meet its mother and observe how she interacts with her puppies. If a seller seems to be avoiding questions about the mother, there’s a high chance she’s living in filthy conditions with her puppies or isn’t in the picture, both of which are red flags.
“Meeting the parents will let you see their temperaments, which will give you an idea of how your puppy may behave later in real life,” advise experts from VetsNow.
7. Price Too Good to Be True
Last but not least is the puppy’s purchase price. If a seller offers the puppy at an unbelievably low price compared to the standard market price for that particular breed, think twice about making a purchase. Chances are, the puppy doesn’t exist or has health problems that the breeder wants to pass on to you.
FAQ
What Is a Puppy Mill?
In the simplest terms, a puppy mill is a large-scale commercial breeding facility purely driven by profits. The sole purpose of puppy mill operators is to churn out as many puppies as possible to sell to unsuspecting individuals or pet stores without caring about the welfare, health, and temperament of the dogs. Puppy mill rescues often uncover dogs with significant hereditary defects, health issues, and behavioral problems.
What Is a Backyard Breeder?
Simply put, a backyard breeder is an irresponsible breeder who doesn’t adhere to the acceptable breeding and care practices required to consistently produce healthy, high-quality dogs. Backyard breeders often operate on a smaller scale. And just like puppy mill operators, backyard breeders are also largely driven by profit.
Hobby Breeder vs. Backyard Breeder
Unlike a backyard breeder, a hobby breeder is a responsible breeder whose motivation for breeding dogs is anything but money. It could be they engage in occasional breeding in an attempt to improve a particular breed, keep the breed’s lineage alive, or simply for fun (while still upholding acceptable breeding practices).
