Please don't buy a pet over the internet

[lady_bug_888]

I bought my pet online and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. I think there is nothing wrong with it as long as you do your research. I certainly would never meet someone in a parking lot to buy a pet.

When we bought our dog we drove to the farm where she was born, met the mother met the owners, inquired about the father and asked to see documents. We also saw where the puppies were being kept and saw the puppies together. We made sure they were being socialized and we selected our beautiful puppy and named her on the spot. We left her on the farm until she was 8 weeks old and then went and picked her up. She is healthy and happy and the most well behaved dog you will ever meet and she is not even 7 months old yet! We've already had her spayed and are thrilled with her.

I think being a responsible pet owner is your duty as an owner. That means keeping up to date with vet visits, training your dog, spending time with your dog AND doing all your homework initially before adopting/purchasing your pet.

In the past my family has adopted rescue dogs but I am really happy with my choice to purchase this time around!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

But it solved this dogs future

Here is the problem... Anytime an activist goes too far - and this was IMO they turn me off what they are trying to say.

Are you saying that that statement from christiane went too far?

 

[Liberty Belle]

We got our beagle off Craigslist. We went to the farm where he was born and saw his dad (mom was on a neighboring farm). He was kept outside with his sisters (was 8 weeks old) and had fleas and worms, but other than that he was healthy.

He's a pain in the neck, but the most lovable dog we've ever had. He loves to please and give us hugs all the time (arms around our necks). I'm very glad we found him online.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I think there's a difference between buying a pet online (e.g. having it mailed to you, or meeting someone in a parking lot based on a Craigslist ad) and doing research online that leads to you doing research in person (e.g. meeting the dog's parents, seeing where the dog was raised, etc . . . ).

I almost got a dog through online research. I thought I wanted a specific breed, and a specific age and so I emailed the local breed club for the AKC, got the names of breeders, and began talking to some who had what I wanted. Several of them said "No, it doesn't seem like you have the right set up for my dog, but I can set you up with someone else" and then the someone else asked me to come meet them, see their home, and interview me and then they'd consider whether I was good enough for their dog. I really don't think they were puppy mills.

We ended up with a rescue in the end, but I am quite confident that the breeders I spoke to were legit.

 

[Planogirl]

There are people who have lost jobs or have illnesses or other issues that resort to places like Craigslist too. Sometimes the shelters won't take the animal for various reasons.

I wish that there was a way to weed out the creeps but I don't see how.

 

[Swalphin]

O/P thanks for posting the warning to people, it is such a shame there are so many unwanted dogs out there. People making decisions on the spur of the moment and not realizing the true commitment pet ownership entails.

I personally cringe when I see a designer dog, I always hope it is a rescue from a puppy mill. I can understand why people like to have a dog of a certain breed but, I think many of these designer breeds can and do keep these mills in business.
Here is a link I got this morning from the HSUS of a Pupy Mill raid in TN.
The video is dated 2/2/11 so very recent.

http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2011/02/tennessee_puppy_mill_rescue_020211.html

As hard as it is to watch I think it is really important for people to see what these puppy mills in fact are doing.


Like I said I understand people wanting a certain breed for their own reasons,
allergies or whatever it may be. I also understand many of the smaller dogs are used as service dogs for children and adults, that is wonderful.

I am most concerned with the people who are not informed about where their dog is produced and the conditions, abuse, neglect that is inflicted upon many of those dogs before it gets to them.