How to Avoid Puppy Scams
With puppy scams at an all time high, we understand that extra precautions are needed to ensure that you get a real, healthy, puppy. We unfortunately hear from our clients far too often that they have been scammed prior to purchasing a puppy from us. Even if you dont purchase your new fur friend from us, we would still like to help prevent you from being scammed. For that reason, we have listed some great ways to avoid being scammed below.
DO NOT SEND ANYONE MONEY!
Scammers will ask you to send them money for the puppy before even offering you to meet it. Usually in the form of gift cards, western union or any other money wiring service. They will also ask you to pay for a shipping fee. We will never ask you to send us a deposit for a puppy.
SELLER DOES'NT ACCEPT PHONE OR VIDEO CALLS
The seller prefers to handle communication by text message or email. A reputable breeder will always communicate with you via phone or video chat (if not in person) before selling you a puppy. Always make sure to ask to see the puppy either in person or through a video call. If the seller says they don’t have the puppy at the moment or puppy is with a nanny that is a huge red flag. If the seller agrees to a video call but only shows you the puppy and not their face that is another red flag.
ENGLISH AND FRENCH BULLDOGS CANNOT FLY ALONE
Most airlines do not allow brachycephalic ( Short nosed ) dogs to fly in cargo due to the fact that they are often at a higher risk during air travel than other “regular” breeds. Therefore, if someone is offering to send you a French or English Bulldog puppy on a plane by itself its more than likely a scam. When delivering our puppies nationwide we fly with them and hand deliver them to their new Pawrents at the nearest Airport.
ASK FOR A BILL OF SALE AND A DOCUMENTED HEALTH GUARANTEE BEFORE FINALIZING THE PURCHASE OF THE PUPPY
More than often breeders selling puppies will say they offer a health guarantee but it will only be a verbal guarantee nothing on paper. I wish I could say you can take their word for it but…..you cant. Yes, some of the horror stories are true, those of people buying sick puppies dying within a few days or hours. It’s an unfortunate truth and therefore steps should be taken to ensure that this happy moment of bringing a new puppy home isn’t turned into a really bad situation. We at My Baby Puppy give you a signed Bill of Sale as well as a signed health guarantee that ensures your new puppy will be healthy.
