Then you wouldn't get one. Taking a deposit is the norm. Often breeders who have puppies available already of age don't have the best dogs. I'm not saying always, but that is often the case.
Sorry, not what I meant.
Man, that's a tough one. I guess just go and meet them. Ask where their location is, and whether you can come out. If they refuse, they're most likely either not real or a bad place to get a puppy from.
From the wifey:
I bought my dog from a breeder. Luckily, no scam. I've had her for 8 years and she's my riding buddy when I take my Stingray for a spin. That said, I've grown to appreciate the importance of adoption. I took two of my cats to get fixed at a local animal shelter and saw many poor abandoned dogs and cats. My heart broke. My next pets will come from a shelter, God willing.
I was very glad when the pres passed the law making animal cruelty a felony. Should've been all along.
I wonder how much of a deterrent it's actually been.
No idea, it's only been a few months. However, it will eventually matter.
I hope so.
It was a minor slap on the wrist in most states, I believe.
Really? Maybe they just rarely enforced it then.
They definitely didn't prosecute. Maybe they will now.
Not often anyway.
