The pandemic has led to a lot of people buying a puppy. Puppies are often sold online, and plenty of respectable breeders make their sales this way. They may not be Kennel Club registered or have their own websites, but they are caring and honourable and do all the right things when it comes to homing their lovingly bred puppies.
Unfortunately, however, there are also dodgy dealers and wholesalers in the puppy market who are acting illegally. Using online channels they try to sell:
- Puppies that are a different breed or pedigree from what’s advertised
- Puppies that have been stolen
- Puppies that have been brought into the country illegally, despite whatever story a prospective owner is told
For prospective owners, it can be challenging to spot a dodgy dealer. To help, we’ve put together a 3-point checklist you might want to run through before committing to the transaction.
1 Ask to see the puppy’s microchip registration
- If the pup has had a previous owner, ask to see the microchip registration document showing the microchip number. The seller should send the document by email if you can’t see it in person. No reputable breeder will turn down this request.
- Breeders often wait to have a puppy microchipped once it’s had its first vaccinations at 8 weeks; and a microchip may not be registered to an owner until the puppy reaches that age, or until after completion of the sale. Even so, make sure you see proof that registration has taken place before you part with any money. Be suspicious if you’re told this can’t be done for any reason.
- Before you settle the final bill for your puppy, it’s worth checking the microchip number using one of the microchip database websites (eg https://www.pettrac.co.uk), or asking your vet to check that the microchip number matches what you’ve been told.
2 Ask to see the puppy’s vaccination card
- Ask to see the puppy’s vaccination card. The seller should send the document by email if you can’t see it in person. No reputable breeder will turn down this request.
- Make sure it’s an official card that shows the name of the vet who carried out the vaccinations and any other treatments, worming and so on.
- Consider calling the vet named on the record card to check they really did the work.
3 Pay in a way that lets you reclaim your money
- Make sure you pay in a way that allows you to claim your money back, in case you become suspicious about the sale and change your mind. Be especially cautious if the seller asks you to pay by money transfer (eg Western Union) as there’s no reclaim route.
- Reputable breeders generally don’t ask for the full amount upfront; instead you’ll pay a deposit, followed by the balance once the final vet check has taken place.
Finally — report dodgy dealers to Trading Standards
If you’re suspicious about a puppy sale, or you’re sold a puppy without any documentation to back up what the seller tells you, contact Trading Standards, who have powers to deal with unscrupulous dealers.
Wonderful info…….there have been a lot of unscrupulous puppy-sellers coming out of the woodwork with the pandemic. People should very carefully do their searching and only use reputable breeders who can be researched and checked out thoroughly. These are dear little lives being dealt with – the animals being sold deserve only the very best “forever homes”…..and people adding a new pet to the family deserve to get what their hard-earned money is paying for!!
Pam
We have come across a few sad cases since the pandemic started and feel very strongly about the animal welfare side of things. People should do their homework!
It’s heartbreaking for people that are sold an unhealthy puppy. it’s important to check what you can.
Checking everything is fundamental in getting a happy, healthy and legal puppy!
Dodgy doggy dealers can be a dilemma.
Glad you spotted our bout of alliteration but you managed to take it further 😀
I’ve wanted a golden retriever for years now; sadly I’m not convinced it’ll ever happen, but it’s good to know what to be thinking about before getting a puppy. When we got my first and only dog many years ago when I was a kid, we used a couple who’s dog had puppies, who weren’t typically ‘breeders’. I don’t think we really knew what to be looking for but thankfully the people we saw were very open and loving towards their dogs, and they seemed to be on top of the vaccinations and health of the puppies. That was before microchips were a requirement, but I actually had no idea at what point that should happen with a puppy. Getting the information on the microchip, matching up the information with the chip number you’ve been told, and seeing the vaccination card would be so important. A good point on how to make a payment too. I imagine without a card reader, some people will be tempted to pay cash or use a cheque. Making sure there’s a way to set a dispute or put in a reclaim would potentially save a lot of headaches should there be a problem. Contacting Trading Standards if you have concerns is also so important to protect the puppies and future potential buyers. Fantastic tips!
Caz xx
Good to hear from someone who’s considering getting a puppy! We do feel strongly that people should go and meet a puppy in situ before buying one. Obviously the pandemic has made that hard/impossible so we though we’d give some tips.
Right from the beginning I felt secure in who I had chosen to bring back my babies from Holland. Everything was clear and precise, very professionally led and very reasonably priced, kept informed along the journey by the courier.
My babies arrived safely on the day expected, all went without any hiccups. Would definitely use again and would definitely recommend.
In these times it’s good to be promised something and actually see it come together.
Thank all the team you are doing a brilliant job.
Thank you Tricia for being a client who listened and patiently educated NL vets!
Great pointers. I am always a rescuer!
tx for visiting my blog. wishing you the best here 🙂
Very much our pleasure!