Purchasing an animal from a complete stranger can be a huge mistake. Some health problems can seem dormant, then after the transaction is complete and you own the animal you are responsible for any vet bills that may occur. So it is extremely important that you get a detailed and complete list of all vet visits and health concerns before paying for the animal you are interested in. You do not want to fall in love with an animal that may end up passing before the check clears the bank.
There are several health problems that can be masked by a stranger telling you that the animal is not very outgoing. There are many ways to mask health problems, particularly in dogs. Parvo is one disease that can kill the animal yet be masked long enough for you to purchase and fall in love with the animal before it dies. Luckily if you follow these few tips, you can save yourself money and heartache.
- Before you hand over the check, ask for a “good health certificate”. This should be offical and directly from a licensed veterinarian. This will help alleviate any worry you might have over the health of the animal you are buying.
- Ask if it would be okay to take the animal to your vet. If they do not allow you to do this, it is likely the owner has something to hide.
- If you do not have the time to take the animal to the vet of your choice, make sure that you at the very least get a good address and phone number for the owner. This way if your animal does get sick, you will be able to hold the owner accountable if something goes wrong.