Safety Tips for Buyers and Sellers

• Keep communication through our messaging system for as long as possible to maintain a record of your conversation.
• Choose carefully what information you share about yourself in your messages. Do share relevant information that helps establish you as a suitable buyer (e.g., having a garden, experience with dogs).
• Report suspicious activity to your local Garda Station and to us via the Report ad button.
• We recommend you print or save a copy of the listing page for your records in case the ad is updated or closed.
• Always meet in a safe, public location for initial meetings. For puppies, arrange to see them in their home environment with their mother.
• Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong or too good to be true, it probably is.

• Ask sellers to provide an ID (driver's licence / passport) and take note of their contact details. You will also need to provide the same & a proof of address to transfer the microchip to your name.
• Check microchip IDs and certificates when you visit to make sure they match and the seller's details are on the certificate too.
• Do not purchase a dog without seeing a microchip certificate. It is illegal to sell a dog without a microchip that's fully registered. More information
• Always see puppies in their home environment and see the mother of puppies.
• Make sure the puppy is at least 8 weeks old before taking ownership (closer to 10-12 weeks is even better).
• Do not pay a deposit until you've met the owner & puppy in person.
• Do not purchase a dog from a seller in a car park or other business location.
• Ask sellers about the vet who has taken care of the dogs. Ask for the dog's vaccination certificate(s).
• Use our contract template or another as a basis for a written contract & ask for a written receipt.
• It's best not to bring young kids to first meetings, to avoid disappointment in the case you decide not to buy a dog.

• Seller refuses to let you visit their home or see the puppy with its mother.
• Seller asks for a deposit or full payment before you've seen the puppy in person.
• Price seems too good to be true compared to typical prices for the breed.
• Seller claims they're located abroad or will ship the puppy to you.
• Seller requests payment via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards.
• Seller has no knowledge about the breed or dog care in general.
• Seller cannot provide vaccination records, microchip information, or pedigree papers when advertised.
• Seller pressures you to make a quick decision or claims there are many other interested buyers.
• Multiple listings with the same photos but different locations or prices.

If you encounter a suspicious listing or believe you've been scammed, please contact:

• Dogmarket Support Team

  Contact us through our contact page

• An Garda Síochána

  For reporting fraud: Visit your local Garda station

  Emergency: 999/112

• ISPCA (Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

  National Animal Cruelty Helpline: 1890 515 515

  Email: helpline@ispca.ie