Safety Tips

Tips for Buyers

Purchasing a pet is a significant commitment. Taking these precautions will help ensure you have a positive experience and bring home a healthy, well-cared-for animal.

• Visit in person before purchasing. Always arrange to see the animal and meet the breeder at their location. This lets you observe the living conditions and confirm the animal matches the listing.
• Ask for health records. A responsible breeder will readily provide vaccination history, veterinary check-up results, genetic testing documentation, and a written health guarantee.
• Research the breed. Make sure you understand the breed's exercise needs, grooming requirements, common health issues, and temperament before committing.
• Avoid wire transfers and cryptocurrency. Never send money via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Use traceable payment methods that offer buyer protection.
• Be cautious with shipping. Reputable breeders prefer buyers to pick up animals in person. If shipping is necessary, verify the breeder uses a licensed and insured pet transport service.
• Trust your instincts. If something feels off about a listing or a seller, walk away. There are always other options.

Red Flags to Watch For

These warning signs may indicate a fraudulent listing or an irresponsible breeder. If you encounter any of these, proceed with extreme caution or report the listing.

• Prices that seem too good to be true. If a purebred animal is listed at a fraction of the typical market price, it is likely a scam or the animal may have undisclosed health problems.
• Stock photos or no photos at all. Legitimate breeders will have multiple original photos of the specific animal, often showing it in their home or facility.
• Pressure to act fast. Scammers create urgency with claims like "someone else is about to buy" or "price goes up tomorrow." A responsible breeder wants you to make a thoughtful decision.
• Refusal to allow visits. If a breeder will not let you visit their location or meet the animal before purchase, this is a serious red flag.
• No health documentation. Breeders who cannot or will not provide veterinary records, vaccination history, or health guarantees should be avoided.
• Requests for unusual payment methods. Insistence on gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or cash-only transactions is a common indicator of fraud.
• Multiple breeds always available. Operations advertising many different breeds with animals always "in stock" may be puppy mills or kitten factories prioritizing volume over welfare.

Tips for Sellers

Protecting yourself as a seller is just as important. These practices will help you find the right homes for your animals while staying safe.

• Screen potential buyers. Ask buyers about their living situation, experience with the breed, and why they want the animal. Serious buyers will appreciate the diligence.
• Meet in safe locations. If you prefer not to have buyers visit your home, arrange to meet in a public place such as a veterinary office or a pet-friendly community space.
• Document everything. Keep written records of all communications, agreements, health records provided, and payment received. Use a bill of sale that both parties sign.
• Use secure payment methods. Accept payments through traceable methods. Confirm funds have cleared before handing over the animal.
• Set clear terms in advance. Discuss pricing, health guarantees, return policies, and spay/neuter agreements before finalizing the sale. Put everything in writing.

Platform Safety Features

Pets & Plus has built-in safeguards designed to protect both buyers and sellers throughout the process.

• Verified breeders. Our verification program confirms a breeder's identity, location, and breeding practices. Look for the verified badge when browsing listings.
• Secure messaging. All conversations happen through our platform, keeping your personal phone number and email private until you decide to share them.
• Buyer reviews. After a transaction, buyers can leave reviews on breeder profiles, helping the community identify trustworthy sellers.
• Listing moderation. Our team reviews listings for accuracy, appropriate content, and compliance with animal welfare standards before they go live.
• Report and block tools. If you encounter suspicious activity, you can report a listing or user and block them from contacting you. Our trust and safety team investigates all reports.