Buying Puppies Online- Puppy Scams

Many people, to include myself, search online classifieds and ads to find a new puppy to bring into the family. Most of the time, you find the puppy you want, contact the breeder, pay him a visit with cash on hand, and return home with a new puppy. That's what happened to me when I brought home my new blue pit bull puppy a few months ago.

I found MIA's breeder on the North Georgia classifieds. It was a simple add with the puppy information (11 puppies- 7 females and 4 males) and two numbers to reach him. Nothing more. I called, and met with the man the following day. Picked out my new pup, and brought her home to spoil rotten.

Many people on the other hand, aren't so luck. Some people get caught in puppy scams, where they are over-charged, receive the wrong puppy, do not get a puppy at all.

Before you commit to purchasing a puppy from online. You should contact any referrals that the breeder has. Ask for the name and number of his veterinarian or a fellow co-breeder. Ask for recommendations from previous customers.

You, also, do not want to send any money before you see the puppy. Many breeders want a down payment to hold the puppy for you. But, ask to come for a visit. Ask if it's ok for you to come by the kennels or his home to see the litter. Then make a decision.

If you send the down payment, more than likely you will not see the money again. Most down payments are non-refundable. In many cases if you send a down payment, and decide not to purchase a puppy from the breeder, you will not get the money back.

Many people do not agree with purchasing a puppy over the internet. I have only purchased a puppy from an online ad once, and it was a good experience. I will say that in now way shape or form, would I ever put money down on a puppy that I found on an online classifieds, online ad, or a breeder's website. I will always visit the breeder's home or kennel in order to see the litter and parents before putting anymore money on a puppy.

I will say that as with any internet purchase, you need to be careful what you are dog, where you're inputing your credit card information, and who you are dealing with.

If you choose to look for a new puppy on an internet classified or a breeder's website, make sure that it's a local breeder. Try to find a breeder in your state or in a nearby state.

For example, living in Georgia, I tried to find a breeder in Georgia, East Alabama, south South Carolina, or north Florida.

I will vouche for adopting puppies! By a long shot most shelter dogs and puppies tend to be the better behaved of the bunch. I have puchased dogs from breeders, adopted dogs from shelters, and received dogs from unwanted- oops litters.

In many cases, shelter puppies seem, almost, thankful, to have a loving home, and very much appreciate the home that you provide them versus a small kennel run.

Adopting dogs from local shelters can be a great experience for you and your family. Not to mention the dog. :-)

If you are interested in a particular breed. Don't hesitate to call all the local shelters, asking by any chance do they have one. Sometimes, you'd be surprised. I've seen cocker spaniels, Irish setters, golden retrievers, corgis, beagles, shepherds, schnauzers, rottweilers, Chesapeake bay retrievers, chihuahuas, amongst other purebred dogs come through the shelter systems.

If your local shelters do not have what you're looking for, try finding a breed specific rescue. There are many out there. More than you'd think.