Considerations Before Purchasing Pets Online

Mr. A received a private message in a social media group from a seller claiming that his Pomeranian had just given birth to a litter of puppies available for sale. After arranging a meeting, Mr. A fell in love with the puppies at first sight. The seller portrayed them as healthy and energetic, emphasizing the high demand among other prospective buyers. To ensure the sale, the seller demanded payment within 24 hours, threatening to sell the puppy to another buyer if Mr. A hesitated. While Mr. A was uncertain, the seller praised the unique connection he seemed to have with the puppy and offered a discount to expedite his decision. Yielding to the persuasive tactics, Mr. A made the payment on the spot and took the puppy home. Tragically, shortly after arriving home, the puppy fell seriously ill and was diagnosed with canine distemper. Despite several days of intensive hospital care, the puppy did not survive. When Mr. A sought compensation, the heartless seller shifted the blame onto him, accusing him of negligent care and claiming that inadequate care had led to the puppy’s demise. Following a heated exchange, the seller ceased all communication with Mr. A.

Ms. B stumbled upon a seemingly trustworthy yet unlicensed online pet store. Captivated by a photo of a lively Ragdoll cat, she reached out to the seller. The seller confidently assured her that the cat was healthy and fully vaccinated, providing chat records from other satisfied customers along with additional charming photos and videos of the cat. The enticing low price even included convenient door-to-door delivery. Overwhelmed with excitement, Ms. B promptly made the payment without hesitation. However, on the very night the cat arrived at her home, it began showing signs of shortness of breath and sluggish movement. A veterinarian later diagnosed the cat with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thickening of the heart muscles), a condition demanding long-term treatment and specialized care. This devastating news left Ms. B heartbroken, and the ongoing medical expenses soon became a significant financial burden. When she attempted to seek compensation from the seller, she found that the website had vanished, and the seller was untraceable.

Ms. C encountered an online advertisement offering local, purebred, and home-bred Pomeranians for sale, complete with pedigree certificates, birth certificates, and health records. As a dedicated Pomeranian enthusiast, she was captivated by the opportunity and arranged the transaction with the unlicensed seller at a dog park. Over time, however, Ms. C observed discrepancies in the dog's coat color and size, which were inconsistent with purebred Pomeranian traits. A subsequent genetic test confirmed the dog was not purebred, and the accompanying certificates and records were discovered to be counterfeit. By the time these findings came to light, the seller had already disappeared without a trace.