If you are a dog breeder or a pet owner, you might be wondering about the best steps on how to sell a dog.
Rehoming a beloved pet can be difficult emotionally and practically.
You would want your dog to have a family that will complement its prior way of life and personality, along with a fair price for your years of grooming and dedication towards the dog.
This article covers all the dos and don’ts of selling a dog like a pro and the essential steps and tips to ensure a smooth and hassle-free process.
Why You Should Consider Selling a Dog
You might consider selling your dog for many reasons, from lifestyle changes to financial difficulties, but it can be a difficult decision.
Here are a few pointers that can help you decide:
- Change in Lifestyle: Life changes may make it difficult to care for a dog, despite their loyalty. Busy schedules such as demanding studies or new jobs may require selling the dog to a responsible owner.
- Financial Restraints: Taking care of a dog financially means paying for regular doctor visits, food, grooming, and other expenses. Selling a dog can help you with your finances and ensure the dog’s needs are covered.
- Moving to a New Home: Due to building regulations or unfavorable living circumstances, a new place might not be accommodating toward dogs.
- Changes in Behavior: Some dogs, especially those that are not properly trained, often go through behavioral problems where they may become aggressive. This becomes difficult to handle, resulting in saying goodbye to your furry friend.
Problems With Selling a Dog
Saying goodbye to your furry canine can be an emotional ride, but this may not be the only problem you may face while selling your dog.
When selling a dog, it’s critical to be aware of any potential issues that could impact both the dog and the owner.
- Choosing the Perfect Buyer: Finding a trustworthy buyer or breeder can help ensure they provide your pet with the attention and care they require. Ensure that the potential buyer is emotionally and financially equipped to take care of the dog and keep them informed about your dog’s specific needs to avoid any miscommunication in the future.
- Health Concerns: Address your dog’s health honestly, which includes informing the future owners of any genetic disorder or ongoing illness. Provide them with all the necessary veterinary records so they are able to make an informed decision.
- Ethical Concerns: The selling of dogs is often viewed as unethical and immoral. Ensure that you are purchasing or selling dogs from a responsible breeder who places the health and welfare of the dog above profit.
- Emotional Attachment: Giving away a loyal friend and source of comfort can be challenging. The guilt can be overwhelming, even if it’s for your dog’s own benefit. Before taking such a step, be sure to ask yourself if you are ready for such a major change.
What You’ll Need to Sell a Dog
It is important to carefully plan and give proper attention to detail for a process as complex as selling a dog.
Here are a few essentials you’ll need to facilitate your process:
- Sales Contract: Signed by both parties, this contract helps to protect both the buyer and the seller. It contains details of all the conditions both parties decide, including the price and date of sale.
- Ownership Documents: Responsible ownership requires the owner to provide proof of ownership. This may be done by giving the details of your dog’s microchip or their vet records.
- Medical Checkup: It is important to have your dog checked by a vet to satisfy the prospective buyer on the health of the dog.
- Advertising Strategy: You may efficiently reach a larger audience and attract potential puppy buyers by using social media or online business platforms.
Where to Sell a Dog
A dog can be sold through a variety of platforms, including local pet shops, online classifieds, and dog breeding websites.
To make a selection that benefits both you and your dog, it is essential to do research and take into account any fees or commissions that may apply.
1. Craigslist
Craigslist is incredibly simple to use and serves a local community of buyers and sellers. It doesn’t actually allow pets for sale to feature; however, rehoming with a small adoption fee is allowed.
What Makes This Option Great?
Craigslist is one of the biggest online classified ad platforms out there. With over 170 million visits per month, your ad is guaranteed to have a good reach. Remember to create a compelling title when advertising your dog, as competition can be tight.
Fee/Commission: Craigslist does not charge any fees or commissions for selling dogs.
Payment methods: The platform itself recommends paying in person with cash or check, but money transfer services like PayPal are also used.
2. Puppies.com
One of the leading breeding websites, Puppies.com, previously known as Puppy Find, is the perfect place for finding your best bud a new home.
A wide range of options are available for dogs, and an even more diverse range of customers welcome them.
What Makes This Option Great?
In addition to providing exposure to a large audience, the site also allows you to build an attractive and fun profile for your dog. From cutesy photos to feisty details about your dog’s personality, buyers will be able to search according to breed, location, and process.
Fee/Commission: Puppy Find offers memberships on a monthly and yearly basis.
One-month, three-month, and one-year memberships are offered for $29.99, $79.99, and $19.99 a month or $199.99 if paid in full.
You can list up to 20 puppies with the one- and three-month memberships; up to 40 listings are available with the annual membership.
Payment methods: This may include money transfer services like PayPal, credit/debit cards, and money orders.
3. AKC Marketplace
The American Kennel Club is a trustworthy source for finding healthy, well-bred pups from reliable breeders who have adhered to the AKC’s criteria for quality breeding.
What Makes This Option Great?
AKC promises to guarantee responsible ownership of dogs to keep them safe, healthy, and happy. The club also has a list of trustworthy registered breeders to ensure integrity. Thus, being registered with AKC is a good way to establish your trustworthiness as a seller.
Fee/Commission: Dogs for sale must be listed for $29 for a 90-day period, and a $100 fee must be paid once a year to promote your dog grooming business.
Payment methods: Payment methods depend upon the preferences of buyers and sellers; however, normal methods like money orders, transfer services, and cash and check can be used.
How to Sell a Dog: Step-By-Step Instructions
Now that you are familiar with everything you need to prepare yourself, here are 6 simple steps explaining how to sell a dog.
Step 1: Groom Your Dog
The first and most important stage in the procedure is to make your dog presentable before listing it for sale.
Even dogs these days have their own social media accounts, so keeping your dog well-groomed with clipped hair, brushed teeth, and adorable accessories will only increase its worth in this day and age.
Also, keep your dog vaccinated to ensure a stable medical condition. To avoid any delays in the process, have all the records of your dog’s medical history prepared.
Step 2: Decide a Price
After doing your research, set a rehoming fee for your dog depending on its breed, age, and other factors. Investigate the quoted price for your dog in detail, taking into account costs for things like food, medical care, and grooming.
Make sure the price you quote is reasonable and market competitive.
When you advertise your dog for sale, it’s better to provide information regarding the monthly costs you spend for its upkeep, care, and supplies.
This can assist interested buyers in determining whether they have the resources and capability to care for the dog.
Step 3: Choose a Suitable Platform
With all the information covered above and through your research, select the best-selling platform that suits your needs.
You have a variety of choices, including internet classifieds, breed-specific websites, neighborhood pet businesses, and kennel clubs.
You can start by contacting friends and family and then placing an online ad as a last resort. Make an attractive profile for your dog and list its basic features and personality details for the buyers to see.
Step 4: Screen Potential Buyers
Selecting a new home for your years-long friend is a big responsibility; screening prospective buyers is crucial.
Ask the potential new owners a set of questions that will help you analyze their willingness, availability, emotional quotient, and resources.
Set up a meeting with them, visit their home, and ask about their past experiences with pets and veterinary references. Also, have your dog meet the buyers to see how comfortable both are with each other.
Step 5: Seal the Deal
Once you, your dog, and the buyer seem satisfied, seal the deal by providing necessary documentation, such as the registration certificate and health records.
Check that both parties have read and agreed to the terms and conditions of the sale contract and make sure that the contract complies with all rules and regulations regarding animal laws.
This will officially transfer the ownership of your dog.
Step 6: Follow Up
Ensure your dog adjusts well to its new home by paying a visit even after the sale.
Keep in touch with the new owners during the initial days to ensure everything goes properly.
Things to Consider When Selling a Dog
There are a few extra yet crucial factors to consider when selling a dog. They include the following:
Legal Considerations
Researching the legal rules and regulations you may need to follow according to your residential area is very important.
There can be legal restrictions on selling dogs, which may include requirements for getting a license or registration and rules governing the sale of particular dog breeds or ages.
Transportation
Once the deal is locked, discuss the details of logistics with the buyer.
If there is a great distance between you and the buyer, making the necessary arrangements is essential to transport your dog safely and securely.
It’s necessary to do your research, pick a dependable form of transportation, and decide how to split and share the expenses.
Honesty With the Buyer
Honesty is important. Don’t hide any aggressiveness or behavioral problems from potential buyers. Instead, help your dog by spending money on therapy and inform buyers of any potential risks.
This can help you and the buyer both avoid any kind of complication and unnecessary confrontations in the future. Maintain integrity and your reputation in the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Documents Do I Need in Order to Sell My Dog?
The necessary documentation includes the bill of sale, insurance documents, registration certificate, and medical records.
If the dog was registered with a kennel club, then its pedigree and details of the microchip are also required.
Should I Get My Dog Neutered/Spayed Before I Sell It?
This is a personal choice and can depend on various factors such as breed and age.
However, many potential buyers may prefer a neutered dog to avoid health issues and the risk of an unwanted litter.
Similar Tutorials to Check Out
If you enjoyed this article, look into similar tutorials like
- How to Sell on Etsy: Learn all you need to know about setting up a shop at Etsy, attracting potential customers, and a general understanding of its fee structure.
- How to Get Dog Walking Jobs: Discover the benefits and challenges of being a dog walker, along with client demands and ways to earn out of it.
- How to Sell on Facebook: From creating a page to promoting your products, we’ve covered all you need to know to sell products on Facebook efficiently.
Wrapping Up
Caring for a pet takes a lot of responsibility, and it takes even more when you want to give your best buddy away.
To achieve your desired outcome, it is important to maintain an honest ground while dealing with loads of paperwork, research, and tough decisions in this emotional ride.
If you found this article to be helpful, share it with others and leave a comment expressing your opinions.
