If you're ever unsure if you could be getting scammed or not, please reach out to me first! Yes, even if it's for a Miniature Schnauzer that isn't from me. I'm likely the worst sales person ever but I really hate hearing about hard working people getting scammed after the fact. Just send me the link or info of the puppy you're looking at and I'll check it out for you! No strings attached.
Below are a list of things to be aware of when searching for a puppy. This doesn't help weed out puppy mills or backyard breeders, just ensuring you don't get scammed.
1. PRICE- If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Reputable breeders don't sell their puppies cheap because it really does take a lot of time and money to breed quality puppies. I understand that people are on a budget, but if you find a cheap puppy, just know the person who bred them has to cut costs somewhere in order to make a profit. Breeding is definitely NOT cheap if you’re doing it the responsible way.
2. PICTURES. Ask for a picture of the puppy with a specific item. A piece of paper with your name and the date, a TV remote, or even a gallon of milk! Scammers will steal pictures of puppies off other breeder’s websites or social media. By having them take a picture of the puppy with a specific item, it helps prove they actually have the puppy. If they can't provide additional pictures, WALK AWAY!
3. GOOGLE—Do a Google search of the breeder or kennel to see if anything negative comes up. You can also copy and paste a section of wording from their website into the search bar. This might bring up another legitimate website they plagiarized from.
4. ONLINE PRESENCE- Most breeders have a social media account such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter account that you can follow and look through. Make sure it’s not a brand new account either. A brand new account or lacking a social media account should raise some eyebrows.
5. VET REFERENCE- Ask for the name of their vet so you can call and get a reference. A breeder without anything to hide should have no problem giving you the name of their vet and letting you call them.
6. THE 3 V'S - VISIT, VIDEO, VOICE - Visit their kennel/home, setup a video call, or call them on the phone. Not all breeders let you visit due to safety reasons for their family and dogs. Many breeders do it from their home and need to maintain some sort of normalcy. (I could go more in-depth about this but I’m keeping it short. I added three things just because a breeder should be able to do at least one of these. At minimum, they be able to talk on the phone with you if you're feeling unsure. If they're unwilling to do any of these things, WALK AWAY!
7. CONTRACTS—A lot of breeders have a deposit contract or puppy contract. Any contract should be read and signed by both parties BEFORE payment is given.
8. REPUTABLE SOURCES— Please do not ever use Craigslist! The puppies could be stolen, sick, or you could be purchasing from a pet flipper. (Someone who gets a pet for free or cheap, then sells them for profit.) Choose reputable sources! Check for Facebook or Google reviews.
9. LISTINGS ON AKC MARKETPLACE - Breeders on the AKC Marketplace don't automatically mean quality. It just means they have a litter of puppies from AKC registered dogs. Many of the best breeders aren't even listed on there!
IF YOU'VE BEEN A VICTIM
If you've been the victim of a scam, you can file a complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center.
The website is below. You can tell it's a legitimate website since it has ".gov" within the URL.
You can also click on the button below.