Buying A Puppy? Buyer Beware
As Covid variants threaten to extend our work from home experience, the pandemic puppy boom is still going strong. While it is always recommended to visit a local shelter in the hopes of finding that special little soul, there is still strong demand for purpose bred puppies. However. as reputable breeders run out of puppies, many buyers are turning to unlicensed hobby breeders selling puppies without the basic medical care needed to ensure they are healthy at the time of sale.
According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, dogs and puppies for sale must be vaccinated against Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus. If the dog is over three months of age, a Rabies vaccine must be given by a licensed veterinarian. Animals must be checked for intestinal parasites and dewormed. Dogs over six months of age must be tested for heartworm disease as well. Pets sold in Miami-Dade County are required to be implanted with a microchip. All work must be documented on a Veterinary Health Certificate and signed by a licensed veterinarian. If you are in the market for a puppy, and the seller cannot produce this certificate, or launches into an elaborate story about why there is no certificate...run. Sadly, the increased demand for pets is creating a market for improperly bred puppies with health problems that can severely impact their quality of life.