What to look for when purchasing from a breeder (2024)

Be extremely cautious if you purchase a dog or cat from a pet store. Good breeders do not sell animals to pet stores. Some pet store animals come from puppy mills or other abusive backgrounds. These animals are likely to have major medical issues and purchasing them helps to perpetuate a cycle of abuse by the puppy mills that breed them.
A good breeder will provide the purchaser with a contract of sale which states that if any genetic defects or preexisting diseases are found that the breeder will refund the purchase price and/or pay for treatment. Many states have laws which require breeders to be responsible for genetic defects and preexisting disease. Be aware of your state’s laws. Be aware that purchasing a puppy outside of your state may nullify this protection. When you purchase an animal, be aware that you are taking personal responsibility for that animal and be prepared to pay for its medical expenses.
A good breeder will always allow prospective pet owners to tour the breeding facilities. These should be clean and spacious with adequate shelter from both heat and cold, and no breeder should have more animals on the premises than they can safely care for properly. Good breeders have nothing to hide with respect to their breeding facilities. This is also a reason to never buy animals sold from the back of a truck, in front of stores, or anywhere where the facilities are not viewable. When used, cages must be spacious, clean, and well bedded. Animals should have adequate exercise time outside of the cage.
A good breeder will always provide you the paperwork for your dog or cat, which must include not only breed registration papers but also paperwork from a veterinarian demonstrating that the animal has had an examination as well as all the appropriate vaccinations and dewormings. For large breed dogs, breeders should also provide proof that a veterinarian has examined the parents of the puppy for hip dysplasia. Do not pay for the animal unless you receive the paperwork at the same time, including a copy of the medical history. Good breeders often have a list of references of previous clients whom you may call.
Good breeders will often want to get to know you before selling you a puppy or kitten. Although it may seem intrusive, good breeders feel responsible for the animals they are selling and want to make sure they are going to a good home.
Beware of “discount” pets sold online or from ads in the paper. Good breeders will charge more for animals whose pedigree warrants the expense. Backyard breeders who sell dogs and cats cheaply are not able to afford proper care for those animals and may possibly sell you an animal with serious medical problems.
Good breeders bring their animals to vets to receive vaccinations and exams. Beware of breeders who claim to have vaccinated the pets on their own. Your cat or dog may not have received the vaccines at all, or may have been inadequately vaccinated. Also, if you need to board the animal for any reason, you may be required to re-vaccinate the dog or cat because you will have no proof that a vet provided the vaccines.
Good breeders are aware of the potential genetic issues certain breeds face. If your breeder is not serious about screening for hip dysplasia in German Shepherds, for example, they have not researched the problem sufficiently and are likely to evade responsibility for treating the dogs if the problem arises. Work with a breeder who is educated enough to be able to implement good breeding practices.
Do not agree to become co-owner of a dog or cat with the breeder. While some breeders may insist on this clause in a contract, agreeing to this situation may bar you from having legal rights to your animal and may prevent you from being able to make medical decisions on behalf of your animal. You may even lose permanent custody of your animal if you agree to this arrangement.
It is illegal for a breeder to sell or give away a cat or dog under 8 weeks of age. If you encounter a breeder selling animals younger than 8 weeks of age, contact Animal Control Services and report them.
Good breeders will provide you reliable and current contact information. If a breeder seems unwilling to provide a phone number or is in the process of moving, do not work with them. If you need to find them later to deal with medical problems, it will be much harder to locate them.
Avoid making your decision based solely on information from a breeder’s website. A bad breeder may have a good website and unhealthy animals.
Do not “rescue” an animal from a bad breeder. Paying a bad breeder for a dog or cat who is clearly being abused may save that animal, but will ensure that the breeder continues to profit by abusing or neglecting other animals. Instead, contact Animal Control Services in your area and try to adopt the animal from the shelter if the breeder’s animals are impounded.