But that doesn’t always apply if a breeder or a dealer offers to bring a puppy to the customer or meet somewhere other than the breeding facility. Those transactions aren’t regulated as pet “dealers” because the breeder, dog, and buyer are all in the same place, even though the customer isn’t able to see the place the puppy came from.
Sheila Goffe, vice president of government relations at the American Kennel Club, and other experts warned that exchanging money for an animal in a random location can be a red flag in these transactions, because it could indicate sellers don’t want you to see conditions at the breeding facility.
“That’s a big flashing light, ‘buyer beware,’ if somebody wants to meet you in a parking lot,” she said.
Experts recommend consumers visit a breeder in person to see the facility, and meet the animal’s parents to evaluate their health and temperament. Goffe said that some breeders may not want customers in their home if it’s a small operation but should still be willing to answer questions or offer alternatives to see the conditions where the puppy was raised.
The Better Business Bureau told ABC News that online pet sales are one of the main type of scam complaints they get, either from consumers who say they got a puppy that’s sick or different than advertised, or that they never receive a puppy they paid for at all.
(MORE: Congress pushes USDA to reinstate public animal inspection reports)
While there isn’t much national data available on how many puppies are bought online or how many of those have health problems, the Humane Society of the U.S. says they’ve received more than 5,000 consumer complaints from people who bought puppies between 2007 and 2017.
Breeders are regulated on the state and federal level, but standards of care can vary widely, according to Croney.
That’s why she recommends that prospective pet owners ask if animals received high standards of veterinary care, training and socialization, which will set them up for success in their new home. Both consumers and breeders should have a lot of questions of each other, and expectations for how to care for a puppy, she added.
“If you’re asking reasonable questions and they’re not willing to answer those questions, that in and of itself should give you pause,” she said.
Consumer advocates say there are steps prospective pet owners can take to make sure they’re getting a healthy animal if they choose to look online or use a breeder directly.
(MORE: Animal welfare laws and concerns over enforcement lead to warnings for pet buyers)
The most important thing to do is try to impartially research a puppy the same way you would any other big decision like buying a car, according to Better Business Bureau spokeswoman Katherine Hutt.
“It’s a very emotional purchase and odds are that you’re going to live with whatever you end up with, and so doing your homework before you’ve got that little bundle of fur in your lap is the best way to go because once you do, it’s all over,” she said.
“Be as cold and calculated as you can be before you go see your dog because it will become your dog pretty quickly,” she added.
Even though inspection reports are no longer publicly available, online pet breeders or pet stores can still voluntarily provide them to consumers who ask. Asking how often females are bred or how puppies are socialized will also get you more information about your prospective puppy.
The Better Business Bureau has profiles for many breeders to show if they’ve chosen to be certified or if other consumers have filed complaints, according to Hutt.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) also works with small-scale breeders and can help connect people looking for a puppy to reputable sellers, according to Goffe. The AKC also has a voluntary program for breeders who agree to maintain health standards for puppies allow inspections of their standards.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
