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(USA πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ) Buyer's Checklist - Dogs and Puppies
(USA πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ) Buyer's Checklist - Dogs and Puppies

This important checklist will help you ask the breeder the right questions before you make a payment.

Adam avatar
Written by Adam
Updated over a year ago

When you're looking for the perfect dog/puppy to join your family, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of things you need to think about in order to make sure you are making the best decision for you and your furry friend!

  • Are you ready to be a dog or puppy owner?

    Before committing, you need to be aware of all the costs that come with owning and raising a dog or puppy. The cost might exceed $30,000 during the animal's lifetime, and with vets and health bills pushing this amount even higher, please ensure you can afford to keep an animal before you proceed with the rehoming process.

  • Research, research, research!

    You need to make sure that your lifestyle matches that of the dog or puppy you are wishing to rehome; this will help you avoid any behavioral issues. Your exercise levels must match the animal's needs; you need to dedicate enough time to spend with or walk with your dog. It may also be an idea to ensure your garden is fully enclosed and safe, removing any canine-unfriendly plants that the animal may like to chew on.

  • Visit your new family member in their own home!

    A dog or puppy should always be seen in its own home environment, and a puppy should always be viewed with its mother.

  • Consider rehoming a rescue center dog first!

    Before giving a dog a home, please consider searching local rescue centers to rehome an animal in need; there are thousands available!

We have also prepared the below checklist of a few things you need to ask the breeder/seller about before agreeing to rehome your new furry friend.

We hope this checklist makes it easier for you, so please go through each point with the breeder/seller before you proceed with any payment.

  • Is the dog a legal breed in the USA?


    If not, then you shouldn't consider rehoming it.

  • Have you visited the dog in its own home or was the mother of the puppy present? If you couldn't visit in person, could you at least do a video call to see the puppy and its mother?


    Reputable breeders should be able to show the mother of the puppies to potential buyers.


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  • Were you able to check the dog's medical records? Are the records up to date and from a licensed vet clinic?
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    It is important to ensure the puppy/dog has been checked by a vet prior to you attempting to make any payment, you should also ensure that the pet is vaccinated and their vaccinations are up to date, to make sure they are healthy.

    This is perhaps the most important point to check for prior to considering making any payment. So please don't skip this!
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  • Has the dog been dewormed and treated for fleas?
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    Worming and flea treatments are an essential part of preventative health care for any puppy/dog you rehome. Without these treatments, your furry friend may get ill, and treating this once they do could be quite costly and dangerous to their health.
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    Camlist has offers for this for our buyers at no extra cost. You can check out our special offer for buyers here.


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  • Has the dog been microchipped? If yes, does the breeder or seller have the chip number for you to check?
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    A microchip is important to make sure the puppy or dog hasn't been stolen from another owner and to register your new furry friend under your name. It also helps you cross-check the health records the seller provides to ensure they belong to the dog you are actually buying.
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  • Is the puppy older than 8 weeks?
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    It is illegal to rehome a puppy under this age.
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  • Is the current owner the breeder of the puppy, or did they buy it from someone else?
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    If they are the breeder, they should be able to show you the mother and answer all your questions. If they bought it from someone else, you must inquire about why they are selling it to ensure it is compliant with the laws and regulations.


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  • Is the breeder/seller accepting to receive their payments through Camlist, or are they insisting on PayPal or bank transfers?
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    Any payment you make on Camlist is protected by our Buyer Protection program. So your money is safe until you receive your new furry friend. If the seller insists on receiving their payment outside the app, this may be a warning sign of something fishy.
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If the answer to any of these questions is no, please consider a different breeder or seller. And if you are concerned about the animals' welfare, please report the matter to our team so we can investigate and take the necessary actions.

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