We recommend you follow the advice below to ensure your experience is hassle free. Please use common sense - if it sounds too good to be true it probably is, so trust your instincts, and never send money to anyone you don't know. Our recommendation is that you purchase pets locally and in person. While many reputable breeders send animals interstate safely and without issue, we do not encourage this with online transactions.
- Don't buy a pet without seeing it first, ideally more than once.
- Never send money using a service like Western Union.
- If a pet is advertised as pedigree - make sure you see the certificates and other relevant documentation before paying.
- If the pet you're interested in is a puppy, kitten, or other young animal and you cannot see the mother, be wary. If the seller will not let you meet the mother, walk away.
- Before you visit, make sure you know exactly who you are dealing with (confirm details over the phone, if applicable - read website and reviews). Go with a friend.
- If in doubt about any details regarding the health/micro-chipping/vaccination of a pet ask for the contact details of the veterinary practice where the pet has been cared for. Similarly, any other information regarding health, registration, or other paperwork should be obtained from the seller or relevant authorities. Any seller unwilling or unable to produce documents that they claim to have should not be trusted and should be reported to Perfect Pets.
- Take note of the condition of the area the animals are housed and please report any instances that are worrying.
- If you suspect an advertiser is involved in puppy farming (or equivalent), please contact us, their veterinary practice (if possible), and the appropriate authorities in your area (eg. RSPCA, Local Council) .
- Do not proceed with advertisers that ask for payment via direct electronic money transfers that are untraceable/anonymous (for example, via Paypal or Western Union). Please contact us if you have been asked to make payment in this way.
- If you are asked to pay by bank transfer, ensure that it is a bank to bank direct deposit to an Australian bank account.
- Perfect Pets recommends cash payments or direct deposits to recognised Australian bank accounts as the safest ways to send payment for a pet advertised on our site. Cash is advised unless you are dealing with a well established breeder or business (for eg. with an ABN, website etc).
- And remember - a pet is a lifetime commitment. Read our advice on choosing a pet and do some research on the breed first - make sure it suits your lifestyle.
A note about puppy farms (or equivalent - eg. kitten farms)
Puppy farming is happening in Australia. For this reason we cannot stress the importance of visiting the place your pet was born to check the conditions - this includes meeting the mother to see if she is happy and healthy. A responsible and caring breeder will want to make sure you will care for the pet well, and will advise of any particular requirements and long term needs of your pet. If the seller or breeder is reluctant for you to visit and wants to meet you somewhere this indicates that they probably have something to hide. Don't buy a pet if the seller will not let you visit it's home.
