Question:
Yesterday I had a very spirited discussion with some of my coworkers about how well and how much breeders should know about their buyers before selling an animal to them. One of my coworkers breeds jack russells (she has one pair of them) and when the puppies are weaned, she advertises in the paper for a weekend and people just come by and pick up the ones they want. She talks to the new owners while they pick out their puppy but thats it, so maybe 10-15 mins. She does not keep in contact with any of the new owners.
I on the other hand get to know new owners before they even adopt my little ones. They come to my house before pick up, we get to know each other and gives me a better idea of what kind of home my chinnies are going too. I have kept in touch with all my buyers (granted I do not have a lot of kits to sell so the number of people I have sold too isn't that big)...but still, I like to hear updates and ofcourse see pics. I never have to contact my buyers for updates...they always write me with the updates.
My coworkers who own dogs and sell dogs, think it would be weird if they kept in touch with their breeder (or if their buyers kept in touch with them). They thought that is was tough to compare chins with dogs...just b/c dogs are alot more prevalent and easy to get (shelter, other breeders, pet store etc).

but my question is, how well do you know your buyers and how important is it to you that you know what happens to your "babies"? Maybe I just get too attached but I can't imagine doing my business any other way.
I am curious what others think, especially breeders of dogs, cats etc.


Answer:
I think it is very important. Your co-worker is the worst kind of backyard dog breeder. Obviously, she is doing it purely for the cash. I simply do not understand how your can care for puppies for 8 weeks and not be very concerned about what type of home they will be in AND not follow up and be available should there be problems or issues.
I keep in touch with many people that have bought chins from me. They are all told they can contact me at any time and I will always take a chin back if a situation arises and they can no longer keep it.


Answer:
If I were a breeder, I would be very vigilant in getting to know the owners. Otherwise, I would refuse the sale and hold onto the animal until I found a suitable owner. I think that a lot of people aren't willing to hold out until the right person comes along and that's why they don't care who takes the animal.


Answer:
I basically interogate people who are interested in adopting one of my chins, or any of my animals for that matter. They must come and visit me and the animals before I even consider them. We talk through email, on the phone and in person. I am very cautious about whom I sell to. I also keep in touch with everyone who buys an animal from me. I make everyone sign a contract stating that they will give me an update on how the chin is settling in, and if at anytime, I feel they are not providing a good home, I have the right to take the animal back and/or report them to the humane society/animal welfare. This would only be in extreme cases of course, I have only taken an animal back once. It was one of our guinea pigs and I found out the adults in the home were neglecting it and the child (who was 12, so not really a child) was shaking the pig, feeding it disgusting food, and yelling at it. I found this out from one of the older siblings, so I showed up at their door and demanded the pig back after I saw what conditions it was living in, thankfully they didn't argue with me.


Answer:
my mom bred her dogs last yr?? or maybe the yr before,. I dont remember,,,but anyways she sold 2 to co-workers so she sees them and hears all about them all of the time,,,the other 3 all went to people mom didnt know,,,BUT before they were allowed buying the puppy mom asked if she could have their number so she could call and see how things were going, mom also told them if for any reason it wasnt working out to call and she would gladly take the pup back,,,

mom called all 3 places the night after they took the pup home,,and again about 2 weeks later,,,,,,,,just to make sure,,,

There was also 1 man they refused to sell to, mom asked him where abouts did he live,,he told her,,,,,she asked if she could have his number so she could call and check up on the pup and he said No, she didnt "need" to do that ,,,then mom said well then you dont "need" this puppy and he walked out,,,

after they all went to good homes, mom got the dogs both fixed, she said she got WAY to attached and couldnt handle going through it all again,,,,


Answer:
See, I would prefer knowing the people before they bought my animals. What good is a phone call going to do? I don't think there is any legal recourse for getting your animal back if you think the owner is unsuitable (unless they are breaking laws), is there? Plus, people could lie straight out...I know of one chin breeder that had an experience like that. They asked the new owner how things were going and they said they were great...but the chin was dead.


Answer:
I do my best to find out as much as possible about potential buyers. I'd say I'm still in contact with 90% of people that have gotten a chinchilla from us. We've had quite a few that have come back for another. I get pictures quite often. There is only one that I can think of that has been really bad about getting us updates. I don't worry to much as they tend to contact another MN breeder when they have questions, so I still hear whats going on with them, just not directly.


Answer:
well thats just it, she did to,,but she only knows a handful of people in Hamilton,,,,,its sad to say but they really dont have many friends,,,,

By the way I lied,,lol, i was just talking to her and she sold 1 dog to a coworker, 1 dog to the same coworkers sister, and 1 dog to Bpbs(her husbands) brother

so it was only 2 dogs that went to people she didnt know,,

The phone call was basically to see if they were happy,,,mom liked the people,,one was an older lady and her daughter, the other was a married couple expecting their first baby, mom told them under ANY circumstances she would give them the money back for the puppy,,,,,,I dunno,,,,you just get a certain vibe from someone??

thats the thing,,you NEVER know who they are really going to unless you can visit on a regualr basis,,,emails, pictures, calls, really dont mean a whole lot, anyone can tell you what you want to hear!!

Thats why mom got the dogs fixed right away, she knew it wasnt the right thing for her to be doing,,,,,


Answer:
When I worked at the Humane Society, we often did home visits before adopting out dogs/cats. I don't see why that is such a bad idea?


Answer:
no actually thats not a bad idea at all,, and if the person isnt willing to have you in their home well then that would definately would be a sign...

it would be hard tho for the breeders who ship their animals,,,,,