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If you are looking to fill that void in your life without creating one in your wallet, classified ads can be a great resource for buying your next pet. Often times the perfect fuzzy friend can be found with ease and, when compared to buying from pet stores, at a considerable bargain.
Within seconds of opening the newspaper or hopping online you are presented with dozens of cute, cuddly, adorable pets for sale by people who have ignored Bob Barker and have neither spayed nor neutered their prolific little animal friends…
If you need help with buying a pet from the classifieds, here is a good place to start.
Homework = Good
You don’t need to know exactly what you want before searching the classifieds for pets, but after you find what you want to adopt, it’s time to dust off the thinking cap and squeeze into your research pants.
It’s smart to hold off on contacting the seller until you are an expert on the species and breed you want to adopt. First, try to find out what kind of responsibility you are taking on and be completely sure you can handle it. It’s also good to familiarize yourself with national and state laws regarding the pet (e.g. ownership, legal weaning age, breeding, etc), especially if it is an exotic species or breed. Another thing to know before shopping is the average price of the animal you want in the area you live because the more reputable sellers will price their pets at the market price. If it looks like it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
Questions = Also Good
The National Broadcasting Company’s iconic public service announcements featuring some network star talking passionately about a topic of great import always ending with the popular “The More You Know” catchphrase cannot ring truer than when shopping the classifieds for pets.
You’ve found out all you can from the wonders of the Interwebz and its superhighway; now it’s time to find out everything you can from the seller. Although the first contact might be via email, it is highly recommended you get the seller on the phone and start asking questions before making any decisions!
Some of the best questions to ask when buying pets from classifieds:
- “What are the vet records of the animal? Has the pet been immunized? Can I have the vaccination certificates or any other health records?”
- “Is the animal registered and does it have papers confirming registration?”
- “What environment has the pet gotten used to? What type of food does it eat and at what time of day? What does the animal sleep on and how often/well? What kind of training has the animal had so far? Is the pet good with children/other pets?”
- “Can I meet the animal’s parents? If not, can you describe the temperament of the parents? Have they been tested for or known to have any hereditary diseases?”
- “Can we contact you, Mr. and Mrs. Seller, for tips, advice, or questions after buying the puppy/kitten/whatever?”
Meeting the Seller/Animal = The Best
It’s ideal to meet the seller and see the animal before handing over cash. Be exceptionally leery of any seller who refuses to meet you in person, or even talk on the phone, and also of any transaction that involves shipping or mysterious third parties. Though sometimes it’s unavoidable, classifieds are inherently a local experience and keeping it local is the safest way to buy pets—for you and the animal!
So, as long as you take your time, ask questions, and do your research, the classified ads for pets is a great place to look! Start checking the classifieds for pets now and if you don’t see what you are looking for, have patience. The animal will depend on you the minute you take on the responsibility of ownership and he/she cannot afford your buyer’s remorse!
Good luck and happy classifying!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
BE LEERY of people that advertise in the “Little Nickel” pure breed animals. I got really burned. I ended up with a dog that had Giardia when he came home. The only way to get it is to drink water that has been contaminated or to live in a damp place that is contaminated. I nursed him for a year and then we found out that he had Mega Esophagus. His esophagus had lost all muscle tone. I had to hold him upright for him to eat and leave him in that position for 20-30 minutes. He got aspiration pneumonia and I put him down. Because it was time.
When I went to get this dog the breeder would not let me see where he had been raised and also did not let me see either of the parents.