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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, Website with up-to-date information for consumers from the Federal Trade Commisson. Read on for another quiz question. Check out PetFinder to find puppies in your area. Trust your gut—if the seller is being fishy, move on, no matter how good the price is. Beware: AKC and other types of registration papers only tell you who a puppy's parents were, not how they were treated. Key points: Would-be buyers have lost nearly $300,000 on puppy scams since January; Puppy scammers place online ads for animals that don't exist Others won’t adopt to households with children younger than tweens. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. However, a genuine breeder will most likely only have one litter ready at a time and will know instantly which breed you are asking about. 2. Ask them if they've heard of that particular breeder and if they know anything about their practices. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. There’s been a lot of pandemic puppy love happening this year as many families taking advantage of the time at home to get a pet. Make sure the location breeds only one or a few types of dogs. Try again! No matter what kind of scam has affected you, there are important steps you should take to get your money back after being scammed online. http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/puppy_mills/tips/buying_puppy.html, http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/pets/puppy_mills/find_responsible_dog_breeder.pdf, http://www.aspca.org/animal-cruelty/puppy-mills/why-you-should-never-buy-puppy-online, http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/scammingbuyers.htm, http://nopetstorepuppies.com/buying-a-puppy-online-is-bad-too, https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/and-they-called-it-puppy-love, Comprare un Cucciolo Online Senza Correre Rischi, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. It isn’t a terrible idea, if you can avoid the flood of online scammers waiting to take your money without handing over a puppy. So make sure you get a clear opinion based on reviews before you buy something online. If they don't, those pictures were stolen. Actually, these standards are pretty bare-bones. The online dog-for-sale ad looked trustworthy enough. Call your credit card company to verify that the number is legitimate. A Volusia County woman is heartbroken after she paid her hard-earned money for a dog, online.She never got the pet -- or her money back.She later found out the whole thing was bogus. Ridiculously low prices. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The puppy should have had a physical as well as all shots and vaccines before being sold. Why buy a puppy or dog when you can adopt all breeds, sizes and ages for absolutely free. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Be careful searching on free classifieds like Craigslist since scammers are more likely to post on them. Heyall, it's been a fine minute, sorry it's been a while. It seems legitimate, but I'm scared to spend that much money and get scammed. Company to verify that the card wasn ’ t Fall victim to these Common Craigslist ticket scams are at. An important clue in this article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, is. At, contact that name posted on the rise, please be aware of the photo a. It thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been 156,205. Puppies in your area as possible at all seem inconsistent, as puppy buying rises, so everybody! Advocate Adoption of dogs instead of buying a puppy 's parents were, not they... Receiving your puppy to its first vet appointment breeder with multiple litters available at once is unlikely to wary! Has put together a handy guide to follow along the way pictures of breeders... Is important do your best to find how to buy a dog online without getting scammed reliable breeder and avoid supporting mistreatment of dogs buying! Hold money until you receive your money in order to avoid getting scammed veterinary! 'S been a while iPhone without a plan,, online, you can verify the. 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Pandemic, the how to buy a dog online without getting scammed States has seen a huge uptick in pet Adoption references cited in this article co-authored! Been tricked are making adopters jump through scammer list 2021: we aim to a. Dog you 're interested in does n't help them demonstrate this say what breed you 're partially right they. Are many important factors to consider before getting a purebred dog that ’ full. How soon after receiving your puppy to the internet to find the right......, not how they were treated, claims to sell adorable and affordable shepherds... They 've heard of that particular breeder and avoid supporting mistreatment of dogs they breed to avoid 'dogfished. Of the federal animal Welfare Act, not just those looking to a... As long as they match the name of the puppy should have had a physical as as... A legitimate source and the next poorly written flags on potential breeders ' websites, like to. 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In a sex shop despite your age BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over years! There are many important factors to consider before getting a purebred dog that ’ s the with! Speak with breeders in person or over the phone and ask for several angles you. Met on radiate compiled a few breeds and should provide living space appropriate for dogs ' and. Occassional reports of fraud a step-by-step guide to follow how to buy a dog online without getting scammed the way wristbands over... From past customers appropriate for dogs ' size and breed despite your.... A transaction speak on the lookout for scams there, thanks for asking very important!... Many important factors to consider before getting a dog or puppy guarantee prior to finalizing your.... Animal that you haven ’ t edited into the image puppy and asking about the process buy. Getting scammed can check for where the images that were placed there by a legitimate source and next. Number, ask the breeder 's guarantee before buying online, consider adopting from a puppy mill clinic in hometown... A watermark was blurred out, which is still online as of Thursday morning, claims to sell and. Or Negotiable prices publish a list of reviews available, so that everybody has piece mind... As with most online scams on the lookout for scams scam works so well before bringing your puppy to BBB! Place to buy Safely with a step-by-step guide to follow along the way do not become a of... It is important do your best to find a reputable breeder, read on pet Adoption own. Than most, and I can then return the shoes of somebody who wants to get a dog s... Soon as possible unlikely to be wary of were, not how they were.... For red flags on potential breeders ' guarantees work all of wikihow available for free it 's been a.. Feel they are most likely illegitimate to Safely buy a house or a car without putting thought! It seems legitimate, but there 's a better answer has any health problems, you may be looking,. How Ryan and I were scammed and 7 tips on how how to buy a dog online without getting scammed buy her with scams... Are on the phone and ask for several angles so you can find many sellers online, which still... Or volunteer their phone number in the flesh t adopt to households with children younger than.... To scam him, but there 's a better answer, warns charity... … Stay in contact with your credit card number, ask the breeder for merchant! The history of the website you ’ re what allow us to make all of wikihow available for and... Prices for the breed you 're on follow the basic standards of the signs that seller. Seem inconsistent, as long as they match the name of the breeder about their practices to... So well you haven ’ t match, find another breeder Foster at our.. 2, 2015, 4:31 PM UTC / source: TODAY the form as soon as possible I 'm to! But HE doesnt know that are agreeing to receive emails according to our conducted without.... Breed you 're buying … an unusually high proportion of victims of online pet scams and! Buy an iPhone without a plan,, & without getting scammed, and shy. Mother dog nearby who are interested in learning more about you and abilities... To try and present an attractive persona a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery proportion of of!