Buying your first pet can be a daunting task, but Shammiesworld.com is here to help. We've added some common questions to ask when selecting the right pet or breeder. Plus, some helpful tips when buying online. Arm yourself with information and buy with confidence!

Questions about Pet

• What type of lifestyle does the breed of animal require?
• What personality traits should I be aware of?
• What are the grooming requirements with this pet?
• What type of exercises does the pet require?
• Is there any common health problems associated with the animal or breed?
• What is the average lifespan of the breed?
• What type of food do we need to feed the animal?

Questions for Breeder

• Can I meet the animal's mother and father?
• If one of the parents is not available, does the breeder have pictures available of the parent?
• May I see/visit where the animals were raised?
• How many litters do you have per year?
• What happens to your animals when they are retired from breeding?
• How many different types of animals do you breed?
• At what age can the animal go to its new home?
• Does the animal have any type of socialization or training prior to going to its new home?
• Are you affiliated with any breeder associations? Why or why not?
• Do you have references?
• Do you require spay/neuter contracts on your animals?
• If, for any reason, I am unable to keep the animal, what is your policy?
• Most breeders are available to answer questions related to the purchase of their animals and which home their pet is going to.
• Remember: It is up to the Buyer and the Breeder to communicate with one another to ensure that the animal has been and will be treated properly.

How to protect yourself when buying online

Email should be the initial method of contact with the breeder through the site. Once you have your initial questions answered and you want to move forward with the purchase, ask for the seller's phone number. If the seller refuses to give a phone number or states that the phone number is out of service, walk away from the sale.

Avoid sending money through Western Union. There is no way to protect the funds in case a problem of fraud arises.

Every listing on the site will show the location of the seller. The location is something that the seller designates upon creation of their account.

If you are asked you to send money to another country (i.e. Nigeria, Africa, London, etc.), or even a different state than the one shown on the listings, discontinue the purchase and report them to shammiesworld.com.

Consider using Pay pal when purchasing the pet/animal.
Visit www.paypal.com for more information.

Ask the seller to send additional pictures of the animal that you are interested in. Require a specific item to be in the photo, like a soda can or your name on a piece of paper. If the seller refuses to send additional pictures or states that the camera is broken and is unable to send additional pictures, discontinue the sale.

Once you have determined that the seller has the animal you want, ensure that you have a clearly defined contract prior to the purchase of the pet. The contract should specifically state what type of animal you are going to receive, what registration, if any, you will receive and the timeframe to receive it.

Also, what type of health guarantee comes with the pet and what is the process of reimbursement and/or return if the animal is sick, hurt, etc.

Most contracts will state that you need to have the animal seen by a vet within a specific timeframe. A clearly defined and signed contract will protect both the buyer and the seller and avoid any problems that could arise from miscommunication. If you or the seller makes an agreement that is not included within the contract, get it in writing.

Please note: Shammiesworld.com does not act as an escrow service. We will not hold funds until you receive your pet. If any seller tells you differently, report them to scamalert@shammiesworld.com.

Shammiesworld.com staff will not refer you to any specific seller.

If you feel like a seller has not upheld their end of the contract, you always have the right to pursue legal action against them. Shammiesworld.com does not offer any guarantees, nor do we pre-screen advertisers on this site. However, if you are unsure about a specific breeder and feel they might be a potential scammer, please feel free to forward us their information and we will investigate.