Buying Advice

Don't rush with your decision

Pet ownership requires a great deal of dedication.

Each breed has its own personality and physical characteristics, so analyzing the traits of each breed is the first and most important step in deciding what choice is appropriate for you.

Breed specifications can be found on the internet to an extent. Speak with friends and family to learn about their experiences, and contact the breed club for more information.

Be responsible and rehome pets humanely

You should consider your lifestyle and determine if you will have the time to provide care for the pet and its physical activity requirements. Your home needs to be pet-friendly and comfortable for your pet. A secluded space is a sense of security for them.

Protect yourself - don't fall victim to a pet advertisement scam

You should never put a deposit down for a puppy or kitten that you have not personally seen with its mother. If the seller is forcing you to do so, there might be a high chance that it's a scam and you are about to be victimized.

While we do our best to prevent scammers from using our website, we cannot guarantee that all adverts are posted by genuine people.

Report crime like this to Petify and Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Viewing of puppies and kittens

Puppy and kitten viewings must be done at the seller's home only. Refuse to have the pets viewed at any convenient or arranged location since that involves long-distance transportation, in addition to the puppy or kitten suffering life-threatening medical, surgical, or behavioural issues that will be passed along to the purchaser.

Ensure the mother is present - if she is not available at that time, please do not accept a seller's excuse that the puppies or kittens have been bred there without viewing the mother interacting with them.

Whenever you feel rushed or pressured into paying cash, that's a red flag.

Documentation and health check

Check the age of the puppies and kittens before separating them from their moms. They must be eight weeks old before they can be rehomed.

You should request all paperwork from the seller before purchasing a puppy or kitten, including vaccination records, flea and worm treatment records, and microchipping records. Microchips and registration are mandatory for puppies and dogs over the age of 8 weeks, for cats over the age of 20 weeks.

Report suspicious and illegal sellers

Do not support puppy and kitten farming. Unlawful sellers are those who can't show you the puppy or kitten mother and pressure you into making a decision. Even though it may seem tempting to save the puppy or kitten from its poor condition, thinking to do so will only promote the illegal sale. Be ready to walk away and report the situation, regardless of how difficult it may be.

Notify Petify and local authorities about any suspicious or unlawful sales. For England and Wales - call RSPCA's 24-hour cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 and, for Scotland - SSPCA on 03000 999 999.