Buyers Guide

This guide is recommended for people looking to buy/re-home a pet online in the safest and simplest way.

Owning a pet is a big responsibility, so if you are going to purchase/re-home a pet, you will need to make sure that you are making the right choice for you. You also need to make sure you stay wary as it's very easy to see great pictures of adorable purebred animals and feel confident that you are dealing with a reputable breeder/person, when in fact you're not. So here is an easy guide you can follow when you are considering buying/re-homing a pet online.

First of all, research!

Are you ready for a pet?

Owning a pet is a big responsibility; they require a lot of time and money. Here are some things you should consider before trying to find a breeder/rehoming centre:

• Could you afford veterinary care/pet insurance, weekly pet supplies, spaying and neutering, grooming, toys and more?
• Do you have enough time for a pet?
• Do you know someone who can look after your pet while you're on holiday?
• Do you own a house? If you rent, do you know if the landlord is ok with having a pet on their property?
• Is your home big enough?
• Remember - owning a pet is a lifelong commitment.

These are just some of the things you should research before buying a pet.

The Right Animal & Breed

When choosing a pet make sure you research which animal and breed will suit your lifestyle. Every animal and breed is different and has individual requirements. For example some breed of animals will require a lot of exercise, so if you have a very busy lifestyle you should consider alternative breeds that will be more suitable for you.

Here are some other things to consider...

• Do you have children?
• Are you looking for a pedigree or non-pedigree?
• Are you looking for a working animal?
• Are you looking for an animal that is intelligent and easy to train?
• Do you want a large or small animal?
• Do you want a breed of animal with temperament that's similar to yours?

The Best Pet Advert

We encourage everyone who lists a pet on mypettrade.co.uk to provide as much information as possible about the animal(s). Therefore, you should have a lot of information at hand with which to make your decision/begin contacting breeders and sellers. However, if you find a pet you like but have any remaining questions, use the link on the advert's page to send them an email or give them a call if they have left a phone number. Don't assume anything about the pet you're looking at - it's always best to check.

Some questions you should think about asking if they've not been answered already by the seller/breeder:

• Is the animal a pedigree?
• Are the parents viewable?
• What is the nature of the animal?
• What's their medical history?
• Are they offering free trial pet insurance?
• Are they providing any accessories with the animal?
• What food is the animal currently fed with?
• When are they available for collection?
• How old are they?

The Transaction

Don't give out your personal details.

Do not, under any circumstances, give out your personal information like bank account details, credit card numbers, etc.

First Contact

First contact with the pet owner should be done by email or phone. If you call them, have a list of questions to hand so you don't forget to ask anything. Whether you're communicating by phone or email, don't be surprised or offended if they ask you questions back; just as you are looking for the right pet(s) they too are searching for the right home for their animal(s) and it shows a healthy interest in the animal's welfare if they ask about it's potential future home/owners.

Meet up locally

When you meet up with the breeder/seller in person, for safety ensure you are not alone (take a friend with you) and that you meet in a public place. Once you have met and you feel they are a reputable seller, go to see the animal(s). If all seems as it should do, and you like the pet(s), arrange a time to return and collect it/them.

Seeing the animal(s)

When you go to meet the seller and, hopefully, your new family pet(s), make sure you go to the place where the animal has been living, so you can note the surroundings. If an animal has been living in very poor conditions make sure you report your findings to the RSPCA so they can take the necessary action. Also please contact us so we can remove the seller from our website.

Insist on seeing baby animal(s) with the parents so you can get an idea of what he or she will be like when they are fully grown.

It's also a good idea to visit the animal(s) more than once.

In the case of young puppies, be wary if a breeder is offering more than one breed. This isn't the case if you are getting a pet from a rehoming centre, or a family who unfortunately cannot look after a litter, but a professional dog breeder who doesn't specialise in one breed may be a puppy farm.

Don't Buy from a Puppy Farm

If you are buying a puppy, do not buy from a puppy farm as their puppies are usually bred commercially, indiscriminately, carelessly and are more likely to..

• Develop disease.
• Have temperamental problems.
• Be difficult to train.
• Find adjusting to family life hard.
• Suffer physical defects.

Pay by Cash

It's easier all round if you pay the full amount in cash when you go to pick up the animal(s). Don't be offended if the buyer/breeder won't accept a cheque or bank transfer, or if they won't let you take the pet(s) away without paying in full. This is just because many "scammers" operate in this manner and so sellers/breeders are advised to only accept cash, and ensure they are paid in full before the animal is out of their possession.

Do NOT use a Delivery Service

When the time comes to collect you pet(s) you should do so in person. Don't consider using a delivery, as you do not know the conditions in which your animal(s) will be transported. For the welfare of your new pet(s), go to pick it/them up in person.