November 16, 2024, 7:23 am | Read time: 6 minutes
In the age of online shopping, animals are increasingly being purchased over the internet. However, extreme caution is advised. The trade in pets such as dogs and cats is so lucrative that many criminals have entered the business.
Anyone looking for a dog or cat will quickly find offers online. While eBay has now significantly restricted the trade in pets (as PETBOOK reported), there are plenty of other animal adoption portals where you are inundated with photos of cute puppies and cuddly kittens. This often leads buyers to make quick decisions.
But beware! No matter how cute the photo is, you can’t tell where the animal comes from or its health condition. Documents such as vaccination certificates can also be forged. Stiftung Warentest (“Finanztest” 12/2024) advises caution. So what should you look out for when acquiring an animal online?
Animal Trade is Extremely Lucrative
Adopting a pet should never be an impulsive decision but rather carefully planned. Ideally, you should prepare for several months. This allows you to acquire enough knowledge and clarify in advance: Who will take care of the animal if I am sick or on vacation? Where can I find help with training (dog school, animal psychologists)? Where is the nearest veterinarian?
If you consciously decide to buy an animal online, don’t be fooled by the photos and keep emotions out of it. Not all images are “real.” Among the many offers, there are also many unscrupulous sellers, as the business with puppies has become so lucrative that criminal organizations have discovered it for themselves.
Recognizing a Legitimate Offer
While it was relatively easy to spot a dubious offer ten years ago, today it is not easy even for dedicated animal rights activists and authorities. Nevertheless, there are some things you can check in advance as a prospective buyer. This is evident even during a phone call: Legitimate breeders do not push animals on interested parties but offer nutritional and behavioral tips. They also inquire about the conditions under which the animal will be kept.
A quick check via Google Image Search can also help. If the picture of the cute kitten appears multiple times online, it has likely been “stolen” from other sellers’ sites or photo agencies.
Check the Seller
Legitimate breeders, as well as private individuals, usually offer only animals of one breed or just one litter for sale. It’s worth doing a quick seller check. What else does this seller offer? If they list puppies from several breeds for sale, it’s likely they are just acting as a middleman. If multiple breeds or litters are available, this is a clear warning sign when buying a puppy, and you should be skeptical.
Sign a Purchase Agreement
The purchase of pets like dogs and cats should always be contractually secured, even if adopting a furry companion is an emotional moment. Many believe that buying an animal online through platforms like Tierwelt or Quoka automatically provides security. However, this is not the case, as these platforms only serve as intermediaries and do not assume liability for the purchase.
Especially for expensive animals like horses or purebred dogs and cats, a purchase agreement makes sense. The following points should be included:
- Place and date of purchase
- Name and address of the breeder or seller
- Name and address of the buyer
- Breed, name, and birth date of the dog
- Pedigree of the dog, if available
- Existing vaccination papers
- Confirmation of veterinary examinations already conducted
- Identification of the dog by chip or tattoo
- Health condition of the dog
- Purchase price
Price is No Longer an Indicator
Previously, the advice was to pay attention to the price. Purebred dogs from a reputable breeder typically cost more than 1,500 euros in this country, and purebred cats more than 800 euros. However, even unscrupulous sellers now demand such prices, as the demand remains high, especially for certain “trendy breeds.”
Never Buy Animals Unseen
Just because you buy animals online doesn’t mean you should only see them after the deal is closed. You should never transfer the purchase price without ensuring it’s a legitimate transaction. This is especially important when buying puppies. You should always insist on seeing the parent animals as well. At least the mother should be available, as the father may have only been present for mating.
The reason: In so-called breeding stations, female dogs are used solely as breeding machines, having one litter after another and sometimes not even seeing daylight. Sellers then show pictures of any female dog of the same breed or even have a fake mother animal on site for viewing. When inspecting the female dog, you should assess the animal’s condition. Is it healthy? Is the udder developed? Learn more in this article: Watch for These 7 Warning Signs When Buying a Puppy.
Common Mistakes People Make When Choosing a Puppy
Decline in Puppy Numbers Among Breeders! VDH: “Buyers Want Cheap, Immediately Available Dogs”
Do Not Agree to Advance Payments
Especially on online portals, sellers often demand an advance payment before you even see the animals. This is usually justified by claiming there are many interested buyers for the puppy, and a reservation fee is required to ensure the buyer is serious. You should not let this pressure you. Reputable breeders always meet their buyers in person first. A fee or deposit should only be due when you are seriously interested in a puppy and have had the chance to meet the mother animal and see the nursery.
Seller Should Be Reachable After the Sale
If you get a dog or cat from a reputable breeder, they will be available to assist you long after the purchase. You should expect the same when buying animals online. It should be ensured that you can contact the seller in case of problems, such as if the animal becomes ill within the first six months. The seller may need to ensure the animal is treated or cover the treatment costs.
However, this does not apply if the animal contracts an illness like a cold, diarrhea, or an injury in its new home. Or if it was purchased from private individuals, as they can contractually exclude liability.
With material from dpa