This is the story of a 21-week-old Cocker Spaniel puppy that was purchased from PuppySpot.com The puppy picked up in a deplorable condition.
A family’s dream of welcoming a new furry friend turned into a harrowing experience. They purchased a 21-week-old Cocker Spaniel puppy on PuppySpot.com, a website that is registered as a USDA Dog Dealer. Is PuppySpot’s vetting process legit? The sick puppy and questionable paperwork raises red flags.
From Dream to Distress
Unfortunately, joy quickly turned to worry. Upon meeting the breeder in a parking lot, the puppy was lethargic and barely able to walk. The breeder dismissed it as just being tired, the dogs new mom held him on her lap for the drive home. She found 50 ticks on his little body while in the car.
They rushed him to the vet the next morning and found he was suffering from double ear infections, severe dehydration, requiring intravenous fluids for 3 hours, swollen joints and parasites.
Over 100 Ticks, Double Ear Infection, Parasites and Lethargy
His general state of lethargy painted a clear picture of a sick animal in urgent need of care. Over 100 ticks were found on the sweet puppy. One day after he was sold with a clean bill of health, he was diagnosed to have a parasite called giardia, a double ear infection and swollen joints (likely caused by tick-borne illness and parasites, he is awaiting test results) This infestation and his condition makes you wonder about the environment he was raised in. Puppy Spot told the puppy’s owner they have been using that breeder for 14 years!
Red Flags and Questionable Breeders
In addition to the stated comprehensive proprietary screening process, PuppySpot states on their website; “No puppy mills. No scammers. No headaches.” But this case raises serious concerns about PuppySpot’s vetting and screening process and the practices of the breeders they work with.
They also state “PuppySpot has a zero tolerance policy for puppy mills or substandard breeding practices of any kind.”
She is licensed in her state and by the USDA as a commercial dog breeder. She has been in business a long time but changed the name of her kennel in 2019. Her 2023 USDA inspection shows her having over 330 dogs and puppies on her property.
No Transparency
The family was not allowed to know the breeder information until they paid for the puppy. There is information on the internet about this breeder but the family was not able to research where their puppy was actually coming from.
Questionable Paperwork Raises Red Flags
Even more concerning was the PuppySpot health paperwork. The document, was signed by a vet the day before, declaring the puppy healthy and tick-free. This directly contradicts the puppy’s condition and the family’s vet findings one day later.
Additionally, the PuppySpot paperwork signed by the breeder’s vet stated the puppy was neutered at one month old. However, upon contacting that vet, the family discovered the vet had no record of neutering the puppy, they also mentioned they do not perform such procedures at such a young age. So who did neuter the pup and why at one month old?
A Larger Issue
This story highlights a larger issue – the potential dangers of purchasing puppies online from puppy broker websites that won’t disclose breeder information.
PuppySpot claims to use vetted breeders, this case raises questions about the effectiveness of their vetting process and the overall well-being of the animals they source puppies from.
Always visit the breeder in person. Meet the mother dog so you can see her physical and mental conditions, then see the living conditions of all of the dogs in that breeders care.
Responsible breeders have nothing to hide.