Key takeaways
- Do not rush because a listing looks popular or cheap.
- Ask welfare, paperwork, age, health-check, and parent/previous-owner questions before arranging a visit.
- Walk away from pressure, unclear photos, inconsistent details, or sellers avoiding basic checks.
Step 1
Before you enquire
Read the advert closely, check whether the age and ready-to-leave details make sense, and prepare questions before sharing personal details.
Step 2
Questions to ask
Ask about daily care, diet, health checks, vaccinations, microchip status where relevant, paperwork, temperament, and why the animal is being sold or rehomed.
Step 3
Red flags
Be careful with rushed handovers, delivery-only offers, missing paperwork, copied photos, vague locations, and sellers who avoid welfare questions.
