By Amy Buttrell Crane
When you're looking for the perfect pet, turn to the Internet. There's no better place to find out about appropriate breeds and the best breeders.However, the Internet is full of traps for the unsuspecting pet lover. A loophole in federal law has spawned an upsurge in puppy mills, large-scale facilities that breed dogs or cats in often-unsanitary conditions without regard for the individual animal's welfare.
"What most people don't realize is that there is no regulation of the people who do large-scale breeding," says Stephanie Shan, director of companion animals for the Humane Society of the United States. "Just because someone is selling dogs over the Internet doesn't mean they run a reputable outfit."
Buying a pet from a puppy mill frequently leads to heartbreak for a pet owner, who must deal with the physical and psychological fallout experienced by animals raised in deplorable conditions.
The Humane Society and other animal welfare groups in support of the Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS), a bill introduced Congress in 2005. The bill would regulate puppy mills by requiring any commercial breeder who sells more than six litters of dogs or cats, or sells more than 25 puppies or kittens a year, to be licensed by the federal Department of Agriculture. The bill also would allow the government to regulate the flow of companion animals from overseas locations. Currently that trade is not regulated.
Where to start
Many Web sites are dedicated to helping consumers find the most appropriate pet. The first step is to make sure that your lifestyle is compatible with a particular type of companion animal. Different types of dogs and cats as well as other pets have different needs for companionship and exercise.
"You might think that since you are a busy, active family that an active dog might best suit your needs," Shan says. "But if your activities mainly consist of going to soccer and ballet practice while the dog sits at home by itself, that most likely isn't a good fit."
The American Veterinary Medical Association offers a guide to pet ownership and selecting the appropriate pet. The site lists questions to ask yourself before settling on a particular type of pet:
The Humane Society and other animal welfare groups in support of the Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS), a bill introduced Congress in 2005. The bill would regulate puppy mills by requiring any commercial breeder who sells more than six litters of dogs or cats, or sells more than 25 puppies or kittens a year, to be licensed by the federal Department of Agriculture. The bill also would allow the government to regulate the flow of companion animals from overseas locations. Currently that trade is not regulated.
Where to start
Many Web sites are dedicated to helping consumers find the most appropriate pet. The first step is to make sure that your lifestyle is compatible with a particular type of companion animal. Different types of dogs and cats as well as other pets have different needs for companionship and exercise.
"You might think that since you are a busy, active family that an active dog might best suit your needs," Shan says. "But if your activities mainly consist of going to soccer and ballet practice while the dog sits at home by itself, that most likely isn't a good fit."
The American Veterinary Medical Association offers a guide to pet ownership and selecting the appropriate pet. The site lists questions to ask yourself before settling on a particular type of pet:
· Do you have room for the pet?
· What activities do you enjoy?
· How do you spend your day?
· Do you have a no-pets clause?
· How much will your pet cost?
· What if a pet doesn't fit your lifestyle?
Costs are an important issue to consider before getting a pet. Even if you get a pet from a shelter or rescue group, there are still initial and ongoing costs involved in owning a pet. Veterinary expenses include checkups, immunizations and care for a sick pet. Some breeds of dogs and cats are more prone to certain medical conditions than others, which is another reason you should fully investigate a breed before you select a particular type.
Due diligence
Once you've narrowed down your search to a particular type of dog, cat or other companion animal, the Internet offers still more resources to aid in your search. For example, virtually all breeds of dogs have clubs affiliated with the American Kennel Club where you can find detailed information about a breed and registered breeders.
If you are set on purchasing a purebred cat or dog, make sure that you limit your search to qualified breeders affiliated with reputable organizations. The American Kennel Club offers classified ads that match registered breeders with prospective pet owners looking for a certain type of puppy, as does the Cat Fanciers' Association.
· What activities do you enjoy?
· How do you spend your day?
· Do you have a no-pets clause?
· How much will your pet cost?
· What if a pet doesn't fit your lifestyle?
Costs are an important issue to consider before getting a pet. Even if you get a pet from a shelter or rescue group, there are still initial and ongoing costs involved in owning a pet. Veterinary expenses include checkups, immunizations and care for a sick pet. Some breeds of dogs and cats are more prone to certain medical conditions than others, which is another reason you should fully investigate a breed before you select a particular type.
Due diligence
Once you've narrowed down your search to a particular type of dog, cat or other companion animal, the Internet offers still more resources to aid in your search. For example, virtually all breeds of dogs have clubs affiliated with the American Kennel Club where you can find detailed information about a breed and registered breeders.
If you are set on purchasing a purebred cat or dog, make sure that you limit your search to qualified breeders affiliated with reputable organizations. The American Kennel Club offers classified ads that match registered breeders with prospective pet owners looking for a certain type of puppy, as does the Cat Fanciers' Association.
It's best to buy as close to home as possible. If there are problems later, you might have a hard time getting help from a dealer or breeder hundreds of miles away.
"If there is a way to get the type of pet you want locally, that's a better way to make sure you have the right match between you and the pet than going farther away," says Gail Golab, a veterinarian and assistant director of public and professional outreach in communications for the American Veterinary Medical Association.
"You don't just order an animal like you would a dress or a book," she says. "You need to see that animal in person, to see the people who are retailing that animal as well as the conditions the animal is raised in."
Lisa Peterson, director of club communications for the American Kennel Club, notes that responsible breeders will ask you lots of questions before agreeing to sell a pet in an effort to ensure that the pet and customer are a good match. Peterson agrees with Golab that a visit to the breeder before buying a pet is vital.
"You need to see the conditions in which the puppy is being raised, how the puppy is being socialized and the conditions for the puppy's mother."
Look for red flags
Be aware of potential red flags when searching for a pet and finalizing a pet purchase. Red flags include:
Cash and carry. Be wary of Web sites that offer to ship you a pet immediately in exchange for a credit card number. "You want to establish a relationship with a breeder or a store," Peterson says. "The person who sells you a pet should be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer questions, and should be willing to take a puppy back if there are any problems."
"If there is a way to get the type of pet you want locally, that's a better way to make sure you have the right match between you and the pet than going farther away," says Gail Golab, a veterinarian and assistant director of public and professional outreach in communications for the American Veterinary Medical Association.
"You don't just order an animal like you would a dress or a book," she says. "You need to see that animal in person, to see the people who are retailing that animal as well as the conditions the animal is raised in."
Lisa Peterson, director of club communications for the American Kennel Club, notes that responsible breeders will ask you lots of questions before agreeing to sell a pet in an effort to ensure that the pet and customer are a good match. Peterson agrees with Golab that a visit to the breeder before buying a pet is vital.
"You need to see the conditions in which the puppy is being raised, how the puppy is being socialized and the conditions for the puppy's mother."
Look for red flags
Be aware of potential red flags when searching for a pet and finalizing a pet purchase. Red flags include:
Cash and carry. Be wary of Web sites that offer to ship you a pet immediately in exchange for a credit card number. "You want to establish a relationship with a breeder or a store," Peterson says. "The person who sells you a pet should be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer questions, and should be willing to take a puppy back if there are any problems."
High prices. A breeder or retailer may have a beautiful Web site and charge high prices, but that doesn't guarantee the quality of the pet or the reputation of the breeder. "Just because an animal is expensive doesn't mean anything," Shan says. "Lots of times a surge in prices is linked to the popularity of a breed." She also points out that dedicated breeders are in the business because of their love of pets, not just to make a huge profit.
Lack of paperwork. If the Web site you're dealing with promises to send the paperwork documenting a pet's purebred status later, don't proceed with your purchase. "Some breeders will say they have American Kennel Club puppies and that they will send you the papers later, but in that case once the sale is made you have little recourse if the papers don't come," says Peterson. In some cases, breeders who promise that puppies or other purebred pets have the approved certifications don't actually have them, and if you are planning to show your pet, you won't be able to in the best shows.
Lynn Ostrem, a small business owner in St. Michael's, Minn., purchased a standard poodle through a dealer she found on the Internet. "Most of the pups in my immediate area were 'show-quality' and selling for $1,000, while 'pet-quality' pups sell for $500," she says. "When a woman offering a blue standard poodle who was only 200 miles away offered to sell me a female for $450 if I was willing to drive half the distance, I readily agreed.
"The end result: our puppy, Lily, is absolutely adorable," she continues. "She's as healthy as an ox, but she's not blue. I believe we got what we paid for and that was because we bought from a fairly new breeder who didn't have a lot of references. But we're happy just the same."
Health issues. Retailers and breeders who are reluctant to discuss or disclose a pet's health history are waving a major red flag. You want to get some information about a pet's mother and father and look into health issues that may plague particular breeds.
Henry Childers, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, noted in testimony before the Senate the effects of poorly bred companion animals.
"Unfortunately, veterinarians are regularly confronted with pets that suffer the ill effects of irresponsible breeding and inappropriate transportation over long distances," he says. "Animal suffering compounds human suffering when heartache and financial burdens are thrust upon pet owners who have purchased these unfortunate animals."
Beth Shaw, a pet owner in Hermosa Beach, Calif., agrees. "My partner bought one of our dogs online -- a Boston terrier from Tennessee. She has mange and has a very skittish and insecure personality. I am just glad that we got her because she is very sensitive, probably was not treated right in her first nine weeks before we got her. She is an emotional basket case but we love her."
How to find a pet
Whether you are looking to get a purebred dog or cat, another type of companion animal or a shelter animal, there is a Web site out there for you. Here are some sites:
· Adoption sites, including Petfinder and Pets911, offer information on pets available for immediate adoption. Leah Ingram, an etiquette consultant from New Hope, Pa., took this route and was very pleased. "We logged onto petfinder.org daily for about two months and eventually found the cocker spaniel/golden retriever mix (Buffy) who has been our dog for the past three years," she says. "Because Buffy was at a rescue place in New Jersey that I'd never heard of, if it hadn't been for Petfinder, we never would have found him."
· Rescue groups care for abandoned or neglected pets and frequently specialize in a particular breed. Petfinder lists rescue and shelter groups by ZIP code and location.
· Local pet shelters are an underused resource when it comes to finding a pet. The Humane Society offers a guide to adopting a pet through a shelter and how to find a local shelter.
· The American Kennel Club, a not-for-profit organization that maintains a purebred dog registry, sanctions dog events and promotes responsible pet ownership, has a dog-buying guide on its Web site. Breeders who sell through AKC classifieds must meet certain requirements.
· The Cat Fanciers' Association provides a list of breeds and includes information about their personalities, histories and characteristics.
Lack of paperwork. If the Web site you're dealing with promises to send the paperwork documenting a pet's purebred status later, don't proceed with your purchase. "Some breeders will say they have American Kennel Club puppies and that they will send you the papers later, but in that case once the sale is made you have little recourse if the papers don't come," says Peterson. In some cases, breeders who promise that puppies or other purebred pets have the approved certifications don't actually have them, and if you are planning to show your pet, you won't be able to in the best shows.
Lynn Ostrem, a small business owner in St. Michael's, Minn., purchased a standard poodle through a dealer she found on the Internet. "Most of the pups in my immediate area were 'show-quality' and selling for $1,000, while 'pet-quality' pups sell for $500," she says. "When a woman offering a blue standard poodle who was only 200 miles away offered to sell me a female for $450 if I was willing to drive half the distance, I readily agreed.
"The end result: our puppy, Lily, is absolutely adorable," she continues. "She's as healthy as an ox, but she's not blue. I believe we got what we paid for and that was because we bought from a fairly new breeder who didn't have a lot of references. But we're happy just the same."
Health issues. Retailers and breeders who are reluctant to discuss or disclose a pet's health history are waving a major red flag. You want to get some information about a pet's mother and father and look into health issues that may plague particular breeds.
Henry Childers, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, noted in testimony before the Senate the effects of poorly bred companion animals.
"Unfortunately, veterinarians are regularly confronted with pets that suffer the ill effects of irresponsible breeding and inappropriate transportation over long distances," he says. "Animal suffering compounds human suffering when heartache and financial burdens are thrust upon pet owners who have purchased these unfortunate animals."
Beth Shaw, a pet owner in Hermosa Beach, Calif., agrees. "My partner bought one of our dogs online -- a Boston terrier from Tennessee. She has mange and has a very skittish and insecure personality. I am just glad that we got her because she is very sensitive, probably was not treated right in her first nine weeks before we got her. She is an emotional basket case but we love her."
How to find a pet
Whether you are looking to get a purebred dog or cat, another type of companion animal or a shelter animal, there is a Web site out there for you. Here are some sites:
· Adoption sites, including Petfinder and Pets911, offer information on pets available for immediate adoption. Leah Ingram, an etiquette consultant from New Hope, Pa., took this route and was very pleased. "We logged onto petfinder.org daily for about two months and eventually found the cocker spaniel/golden retriever mix (Buffy) who has been our dog for the past three years," she says. "Because Buffy was at a rescue place in New Jersey that I'd never heard of, if it hadn't been for Petfinder, we never would have found him."
· Rescue groups care for abandoned or neglected pets and frequently specialize in a particular breed. Petfinder lists rescue and shelter groups by ZIP code and location.
· Local pet shelters are an underused resource when it comes to finding a pet. The Humane Society offers a guide to adopting a pet through a shelter and how to find a local shelter.
· The American Kennel Club, a not-for-profit organization that maintains a purebred dog registry, sanctions dog events and promotes responsible pet ownership, has a dog-buying guide on its Web site. Breeders who sell through AKC classifieds must meet certain requirements.
· The Cat Fanciers' Association provides a list of breeds and includes information about their personalities, histories and characteristics.
