Be Cautious About Purchasing a Pet on Internet

If you are considering buying a dog from the internet, then you should be very cautious. The internet has given birth to some of the largest dog breeding operations. Many unethical dog sellers are using the internet because the are able to avoid many of the federal licensing and inspection requirements. Most states do not have a puppy lemon law that will allow you to return an ill or misrepresented pet. There are many buyers that have been duped into purchasing a pet that is not in the best of health and end up not getting what they paid for.

The majority of the puppies are kept in unsanitary and disease ridden facilities. It only takes one infected animal to infect the others kept in the same location. Some animals have severe genetic defects because of inbreeding and unsafe breeding practices.

Veterinarian Helen Hamilton of Fremont, California, was successful in leading a rescue mission of poorly treated dogs at an Arkansas auction. She and her loyal supporters were able to raise $12,000 to purchase 71 dogs. The dogs were predominantly older females used specifically for breeding. After the rescue, the animals were placed in a variety of safe shelters in California, Florida, and Georgia.

Legitimate dog sellers will be able to provide every potential buyer with a written statement that allows the return of an animal if defects are discovered. The states that do provide an animal buyer with some protection on their purchases are Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and Vermont.

If you decide to purchase an animal over the internet, do your research beforehand. This will save you from a lot of pain and regret. Knowing your seller's reputation and speaking to former customers will help you make the right decision. Although the internet provides you with a convenient way to obtain a pet, being knowledgeable is beneficial.

Some reliable sellers will provide buyers with pictures of the animals so they can see what they are buying ahead of time. Asking to see the pet in person before buying is also a great way to make sure you are not being scammed. If you are unable to travel, then find someone available in the area of the purchase to scope out the surroundings first. Advocates for animal welfare suggest that potential buyers also meet the parents of the dog they will purchase. This will allow they to see the conditions of the breeder's kennels but also the temperament of the puppy.