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New breeders may not be familiar with how to sell puppies online. They may get into the business as reputable breeders believing it will be easy to sell their puppies. However, if they don’t have an online presence, it can be challenging these days to sell puppies.
In this guide, we’ve put together information about how to sell puppies online. We’ve done the research to find reputable platforms and more to help you sell puppies online. Let’s get started!
Is Selling Puppies Online Legal?
We weren’t able to find any information saying it was illegal to sell puppies online. However, it’s always a good idea to check the laws and regulations where you live. In some areas of the US, you may be required to have a commercial breeding license to sell puppies. The license may stipulate the number of puppies that can be sold, the number of breeding dogs you won, and more.
So, make sure you understand all the regulations and laws in your area before trying to sell puppies.
What are the Best Places to Sell Puppies Online?
When you’re selling puppies online, it’s necessary to find a reputable platform where you can advertise. It is possible to sell puppies word of mouth; however, today, it’s faster and easier to sell puppies on platforms, pet websites, and social media.
Here’s our list of reputable sites where you can sell puppies online:
American Kennel Club (AKC)
If you’re an AKC breeder, then you can use AKC’s Marketplace to sell puppies. We like this platform because to be an AKC breeder, it’s necessary to meet certain requirements set by the AKC. Once you’ve been approved, then buyers know you’re a reputable breeder and will have the reassurance your puppies are not coming from a puppy mill.
Social Media
As a breeder, you may also want to consider using social media to help sell your puppies. Sites such as Instagram and Facebook are perfect places to share adorable puppy pictures sure to grab attention! On these platforms, you can also create a profile letting others know you’re a reputable breeder. You can also include contact information for buyers to get in touch.
Puppy Spot
Licensed breeders are allowed to advertise their puppies on Puppy Spot. Advertising is free, and you can sell puppies at no cost. However, the site may increase the price of a puppy to make a profit.
Next Day Pets
This is a great place for reputable breeders to get in touch with potential buyers. The site offers both paid and free services.
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Ask a Vet Live NowHow to Write an Ad
Many breeders may not know how to properly create an ad for their puppies. The goal is to make your ad stand out over the many others that are also online. Your ad must grab the interest of potential buyers right away!
Start with Pictures
Nothing is more adorable than a litter of puppies! People searching for puppies to buy online may be interested in a specific breed, so pictures can be extremely helpful.
The key is to take clear, focused pictures of the puppies. It may be best to take individual photos of each puppy to make them look their best and to feature each puppy. You might also consider including photos of the parents. Buyers like to know what their puppy will be like, so photos of the parents can help with those questions.
Description
Next, you’ll need to write a great description of your puppies. Here, the key is to be thorough, concise, and short. Keep in mind that many people are busy these days. They don’t have time to read lengthy descriptions and other information. They want to find information quickly and easily. So, make sure your description is short and to the point.
Try to answer the most common questions with your description. Most potential pet parents want to know what the puppies’ personalities will be like, details about their appearance, and more. Also include information on whether the puppies are registered and have papers. You can also include the price here.
The Parents
Include the parents of the puppies in your description. Again, include a photo but also describe them. Tell about their personality and temperament and other traits the puppies may have when they become adult dogs.
Contact Information
Don’t forget to include your contact information in the ad! Include simple contact details, such as your phone number(s), email address, and other details.
Health Guarantees
Another important bit of information your ad should include is to provide a health guarantee for each puppy. The health guarantee specifies the puppies have had all their shots and been examined by a vet. It also lets buyers know the puppies are healthy and free of infections or other health issues.
What’s more, the health guarantee show you’re a reputable breeder who really cares about the puppies. It shows you’ve done everything possible to make sure the puppies are cared for in every way.
Finding the Right Pet Parents
Your ad will bring potential buyers to you; however, the goal is to find appropriate pet parents and homes for your puppies. Not every buyer will be a good pet parent, so you must weed through these to find the right pet parents for your fur babies.
You must look for certain things, including warning signs, that the buyer is not good for your puppy. Here are some things to watch for in people who respond to your ads:
Inexperienced Owners
These are the people who really don’t understand what it takes to be a pet parent. They have no understanding of the commitment involved. Some people may also be drawn to a puppy’s picture without considering the breed and what is required to raise and care for the breed.
As a breeder, it’s your job to educate potential buyers about the dog breed you’re selling. Be sure they understand what the dogs will be like as adults, the requirements for diet & exercise, and more.
Ask questions about the buyer’s lifestyle and whether there are kids and/or other pets at home.
All of this information can help you determine which buyers are right for your puppies.
Potential Dog Flippers
Just as there are house flippers, there are dog flippers. These are buyers who are only interested in making money by reselling your puppy for a profit. This type of buyer may try to talk down the offering price. Or they may not seem really interested in the puppy at all. Their goal is to buy the puppy quickly and then turn around and sell the little fur baby quickly for a profit.
Dog flippers may even use guilt-tripping to get you to sell the puppy for a lower price. And if you require a home visit before finalizing the sale of a puppy, they will come up with some excuse about why they can’t do it.
These are all red flags that the buyer isn’t interested in the puppy. They want to sell the puppy for a profit without caring for its wellbeing or happiness.
Time Wasters
Then there are people who just want to ask a bunch of questions with no intention of buying a puppy. They are a waste of time.
Unsuitable Lifestyle
You’ll also come across pet parents who are set on buying a puppy; however, their lifestyle isn’t right for the dog. They may buy the puppy, only to realize later it wasn’t the right choice. These dogs usually end up in a shelter or worse.
So, it’s best to ask about the lifestyles of potential buyers. See if they have the right-sized home and backyard (with a fence!). Do they have the time to take the dog for daily walks and play with him? Do they have the means to provide regular checkups with the vet? Do they have enough energy for the puppy as it grows into an adult?
It’s crucial the pet parent match up well with the puppy before you send the fur baby home with these buyers.
How to Find the Best Homes for Your Puppies
It’s challenging to find the right homes for your puppies; however, with a few steps, you can try to ensure their new home is their fur-ever home!
Advertise Upcoming Litters
When there’s a litter on the way, you can advertise this fact. You can line buyers up for the puppies; however, do know that some buyers will fall away. Even so, by placing ads, you’ll have plenty of buyers interested in the puppies, even if one or two back out at the last minute.
Applications
Next, once the puppies are born, and you know the gender of each one, then you can take applications for each puppy. Just create the application and include questions that are important for the well-being of the puppies.
For instance, you can ask about the buyer’s lifestyle, their home, if they have a vet and more. This is a good way to find the best buyer for each puppy in the litter.
Take Deposits Before Eight Weeks
Another way to weed out potential problem buyers is to require deposits before the puppies are eight weeks old. The deposit may cover part of the cost of buying the puppy. You can also use it in case someone would like a puppy of a specific color, gender, and more. The deposit ensures they can get the puppy of their choice.
Meet & Greets
Another way to meet the potential buyers is to have meet and greets! This is when you can invite potential buyers to come and visit to choose their puppy. They can also meet both parents.
This is also a great opportunity for you to get to learn more about each buyer to ascertain whether or not they’re the right people for your puppies.
Home Visits
Home visits are a great way to ensure the puppy’s new home provides the right environment for a growing dog. You can check the home and the yard, watch other pets and kids, and more.
It’s also another opportunity to ensure the potential pet parents are knowledgeable about the puppy and what it needs to grow up strong and healthy.
Transporting the Puppy
Once the vetting and buying process has been completed, it’s time to decide how to transport the puppy to his new home. Some breeders ask the new pet parents to come and get their dogs. However, some may be willing to meet the new parents at an agreed place to meet and get the puppy.
Shipping the Puppy
Shipping the puppy is another option when selling puppies online. But how does it work? It’s possible some new pet parents may live out of state and not be able to travel to pick up the puppy.
This method of transport does carry extra costs. It may cost anywhere between $120 to $300 to ship a puppy. In this case, the pet parents are responsible for paying the shipping costs. Your job is to ensure the puppy is properly prepared.
However, some breeders don’t like to entrust their puppies to this method of transportation. That’s understandable, considering the puppies are so young. So, you have to make a choice about whether this option works for you or not.
Meeting
As mentioned earlier, some buyers and breeders choose to meet at a designated place to exchange the puppy. You might agree to meet halfway, for instance.
In this case, however, it’s essential to ensure the pet parents have a pet carrier or traveling crate that is the right size and safe for the puppy.
Summing It Up
By using the tips in this article, you’ll find ways to sell your puppies online and help them find the right fur-ever homes for them!
It does take a lot of time and effort to sell puppies online; however, with the right process in place, it can be done. You’ll have a process that’s efficient and stress-free for you, the puppies, and the potential pet parents, too!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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