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Do’s and Don’ts of purchasing a puppy When purchasing a puppy, only buy from people you can trust. Ensure that you fully research breeders and check that they have all of the relevant credentials. A list of licensed breeders in Doncaster can be found below, along with a checklist of what to consider when buying a dog. This is as much to protect the buyer as to protect the health and wellbeing of the dog, and clamp down on unlicensed breeders and the mistreatment of animals.Do’sDo your research – buying a puppy is a huge commitment. Check whether the seller is a licensed breeder. They will display their licence number and council name on any adverts. Licensed breeders are inspected initially by a vet and by the Council every 1-3 years depending on the star rating of the premises. Councils will have a register of breeders on their website. There is a star rating for animal licensed premises. Breeders with a 2 and 3 star are meeting the licence conditions. Breeders with 4 or 5 star rating are going above and beyond the licence conditions and achieving higher standards.Look online for reviews for the breeder and check whether there is a good history of sales and happy customers.When you respond to an advert and phone the breeder / seller, don’t rush in and say you want the dog, you need to ask them questions to see if the dog and seller is right for you. If they are a good breeder, they will typically interview you back to see if your home is a suitable environment for their puppy. Questions to ask include:The age of the mother of the puppies. Always ensure the mother is over 12 months old and ideally over 18 months old. Dogs should not be bred with if they are over 8 years old.Always ask when the mother last had a litter. There should be 12 month gap between litters to ensure they are not being over bred.Discuss when vaccinations, worming and flea treatment have been given.Ask where the dog lives e.g. inside a home or in a kennel. What social interaction has it had? Discuss its food requirements and whether the breeder will provide a sample of food. Will the puppy be checked by a veterinarian before sale and will they provide proof?Has the mother and father of the puppies been health tested? The Kennel Club website lists the health tests required for each breed of dogs. What documentation will be provided at the point of sale?Always visit the puppy and breeder before sale e.g. when puppy is between 3-8 weeks old. Never view and buy on the same day. You need to see where the dog was born and make sure you feel confident and comfortable with the breeder.?If you have any concerns just walk away.Always inspect the dog carefully prior to purchasing it. Is it a good size or does it feel underweight? Is the dog eating and drinking well? Is it playful and interested in things? Puppies should not be lethargic or frightened of people.Good breeders will provide you with the following written documentation at the point of sale:Receipt/ sales contract which both parties sign and receive a copy of.Vaccination card that includes the vets contact details and a vets signature Microchip transfer documentation. By law all puppies must be microchipped and registered to the breeder and then transferred to the new purchaser after sale.The puppies worming and flea treatment recordA Vet report detailing the puppies 8 week vet check, ensuring the dog is in good health.4 weeks InsuranceKennel club pedigree paperwork (if applicable)Written advice on socialisation, training guide and food requirements.Weeks supply of the puppies food.Copies of the health certificates for the puppies parents (if applicable)If you purchase from an unlicensed breeder- always make a mental note of identifying features e.g. description of the seller, vehicles present, features of the property, other animals present etc.Think about whether the house feels right, is it lived in or does it appear to be host address just used to sell puppies. Is the house clean? Do the animals looks well cared for?Don’tsNever buy from a seller is you don’t know their full name and full address. Never arrange to meet a seller at the side of the road or at a random postcode.Do not purchase a puppy if its mother is not present. You should see the puppy interacting with its mother and the other puppies in its litter.Do not give the seller cash for the puppy. Always insist on a bank transfer so the sale is traceable.Do not go ahead with the purchase unless you are provided with written documentation that links the puppy to the seller and their address. You wouldn’t buy a car or electrical item without a receipt, so do not buy a dog with a gaining a receipt.Do not purchase a dog if you think the seller doesn’t have the dogs best interests at heart. If the seller looks uninterested in the dogs and is only concerned by the price of the dog, then walk away.Don’t rush into purchasing the puppy. Good breeders will have waiting lists for their dogs. They will ask for deposits and holding contracts. So be patient and wait for the right breeder.If a dog appears unwell or you are uncomfortable with the seller. Do not purchase a dog thinking you are “rescuing it” you are just fuelling the industry. It is likely to cost thousands in vet bills and a lot of heartache. To make a complaint about an unlicensed breeder operating in Doncaster, please email Licensing@.uk. To view the law of dog breeding and the register of licensed breeders please view the Doncaster Council Animal Licensing webpage about animal cruelty should be reported to the RSPCA. Their website also has a usefully puppy buying guide. Kennel Club also offer valuable advice on caring for a new puppy you believe your puppy may have been stolen, please contact South Yorkshire Police by calling 111.If you believe you have been misled by an advert or want to try to reclaim money back from the seller then contact Citizens Advice by calling 0808 223 1133. ................
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