Finding just the right pet for you or your family can be an overwhelming challenge, but don’t lose your hope or desire to find your perfect pet!

Variety Pets is here to help.

Collectively, we have compiled a list of common questions to ask any Buyer or Seller before making the Purchase.

Variety Pets encourages you to have several conversations via email with your perspective Buyer or Seller. Once you feel comfortable and your questions have all been answered, ask for a phone number. If they refuse to give a phone number or they tell you their phone is out of service, walk away from the sale.

Please be aware that going from one breeders residence to another may put pets at risk of disease. Breeders will often want to limit visits to the day of purchase due to the risk, heartache and cost of loss of animals. This is a valid request and buyers should not take this as a sign that the Breeder is hiding something.

Variety Pets wants you to arm yourself with information…doing so allows you to purchase with confidence!

Questions to ask the Breeder or Individual selling the Pet?

• When was this animal born?
  
• Is this animal good with children?
  
• Is this animal an indoor or outdoor pet?
  
• Are there any common health problems associated with this breed?
  
• What personality traits should I be informed about?
  
• What grooming requirements are there with this breed?
  
• May I see / visit where the animals are raised on the day I am ready to purchase my pet?
  
• Do you have references?
  
• How many litters do you have per year?
  
• What happens to your retired breeding animals?
  
• What type of food do you feed your animals?
  
• At what age can the animal go to it's new home?
  
• What immunization protocol do you follow for your breeding animals?
  
• Do the animals have any type of socialization prior to being sent to their new home?
  
• Do the animals have any type of training prior to being sent to their new home?
  
• What guarantees do you offer with your animal?
  

Questions to ask the potential Buyer?

• Are you an Individual or a Breeder?
  
• Do you have a house with a yard or do you live in an apartment?
  
• Are their children that this animal may come in contact with?
  
• Do you plan on studding this animal out?
  
• Do you have a Veterinarian in mind for this animal?
  
• If out of state, will you need a Clearance to Fly?
  
• Are there any other animals in the house to which this one will coexist?
  
• Are you aware of my preferred methods of payment?
  
• Are you aware of my return or no return policy?

How to protect yourself when Buying Online

Email

Variety Pets encourages you to have several conversations via email with your perspective Seller. Once you feel comfortable and your questions have all been answered, ask for a phone number. If they refuse to give a phone number or they tell you their phone is out of service, walk away from the sale.

Making the Purchase

Never send cash. Avoid sending money through Western Union. There is no way to protect the funds in case a problem of fraud arises. Consider using Paypal or an escrow service when purchasing an animal.

Every listing on the site will show the location of the Breeder. The location is something that the Breeder designates upon their account creation. If they ask you to send money to another country (i.e. Nigeria, Africa, London, etc.), or even a different state than the one shown on the listings, discontinue the purchase and report them to Variety Pets.

Asking for Proof

Ask the Breeder to send additional pictures of the animal you are interested in. Require a specific item to be in the photo, like a piece of paper with your name on it. If they refuse to send additional pictures or state their camera is broken and are unable to send additional pictures, discontinue the sale.

Clearly Defined Contract

Once you feel ready to make your purchase, ensure that you have a clearly defined contract prior to the purchase. The contract should be specific & clearly stated. We recommend a third party Of your choosing take a look at it, too.

A clearly defined, signed, contract will protect both the Buyer and the Breeder and will avoid any problems that could arise from miscommunication. If you or the Breeder make an agreement that is not included within the contract, get it in writing.