Buying a pet

Buying a pet can be a happy time but sometimes pets can be sold with significant health issues or concerns. Just like other products pet purchases come with automatic consumer guarantees. 

Tips to avoid online pet scams

Verify the breeder or seller’s identity

Before you decide on a breeder or seller, do some research into the breeder and verify if they are registered and a responsible breeder. Be cautious about making payments until you can verify the breeder or seller is legitimate.

Here are some signs that the breeder or seller may not be legitimate:

• The pictures being used can be found on multiple other pages.
• Customer testimonials and other sections of text are identical to content listed on other sites and listings.
• The asking price for the pet is a lot lower than other sellers.
• The seller is offering a diverse range of breeds to choose from.

Seek advice from a reputable breeder’s association or your local vet if you have doubts. 

Meet before agreeing to purchase the pet

Scam websites can look quite convincing. To avoid being scammed, only buy or adopt a pet where you can meet in person. It can be difficult to get your money back if anything goes wrong.

If the breeder is hesitant for you to visit or wants you to meet the pet in another place other than where the pet was raised, find another breeder.

Check the standard of care and living conditions of the pet

Check the environment where the animal and its parents (if being sold from a litter) are kept is of a high standard of care and living conditions.

If you have concerns about the living conditions or welfare of an animal, please visit the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Say no if you have doubts

If you’re feeling pressured by the breeder or seller, or there are gaps in information, it is best to walk away.

Automatic consumer guarantees apply to pet purchases

Buying a pet is the same as buying any other type of good or service under Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and comes with automatic consumer guarantees.

If you buy a pet based on a specific description such as breed, sex or vaccinations, your pet must match the description and be suitable for any purpose advised or advertised by the breeder or seller.

When a consumer guarantee does not apply

The ACL applies when a person buys goods or services from a business. The ACL does not apply to one-off sales by private sellers. This means if you buy something from a private seller and not from a business, your goods are not covered by consumer guarantees.

What to do when things go wrong with your pet purchase

If something goes wrong when you purchase a pet, the resolution will depend on whether the problem is major or minor.

You are entitled to an appropriate resolution from a business when the pet you purchase does not meet one or more of the consumer guarantees.

You can find out more by visiting our repairs, replacements and refunds page.