Tips and Information at Mini Meez Kennels

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ATTENTION BUYERS

Mini Meez is easy on Allergies

BUYERS GUIDE AND TIPS

At the Time of Purchase:

		DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS, AND USE COMMON SENSE. Make sure the answers are the same as
		over the phone, and that they sound logical to you. You’re judging breeder honesty and experience.

		TAKE SOMEONE WITH YOU WHEN YOU LOOK AT PUPPIES--especially if you are a total softy. This will
		ground your impulse to buy no matter what. Be smart, not sorry…

		DON’T GET INTO BREEDER ‘POLITICS’--it deprives so many wonderful animals from a potentially excellent
		home. Get a healthy pup, and love each other for the pet’s entire lifespan. Case closed.

		MAKE SURE YOU GET THE STATE REQUIRED MINIMUM PAPERWORK. (State Health Inspection Certificate,
		Kennel Club Registration Application, Consumer Rights ‘Pet Lemon Law’ and Sales Contract).

		A HEALTH INSPECTION CERTIFICATE AUTHENTICATES THAT THE PUPPY WAS THOROUGHLY EXAMINED BY
		A LICENSED VETERINARIAN, and was found to be perfectly healthy at the time the exam. The vet is required by law to check for any and all faults--such as heart murmurs, lung congestion, joints and legs, teeth, fleas, protozoans, worms, ear mites, ear infections, eye abnormalities, coat condition, etc. The puppy must be completely cleared of everything to pass and the health certificates are only valid for 30 days.

		LOOK OVER THE PUPPY VERY CAREFULLY, AND MAKE SURE YOU SEE BOTH OF ITS BIOLOGICAL PARENTS.
		Check both of the parents’ temperament and make sure they closely resemble the puppies.

		QUICKLY INSPECT THE GROUNDS AND HOME AND LOOK FOR THE LICENSE AND COUNTY PERMITS. They
		are required and are supposed to be openly displayed in plain view.

		MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE NECESSARY PUPPY PREPARATIONS. You’ll need food, a crate, bed, potty
		training pads, supplies, toys, etc. Make an assigned space and accommodations for your new pet--BEFORE YOU GO AND PICK THEM UP. PUPPY-PROOF YOUR HOME!

		DO NOT PAY EXTRA FOR A GUARANTEE. Most states require that the breeder guarantee the health of live
		animals for a minimum of 1 year.

		SAVE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE ON YOUR NEW PUP, including where and from whom you purchased it, your
		research notes, directions, phone conversations, etc.

		BUYER BEWARE! KNOW THAT THE PERSON WHO TAKES YOUR MONEY IS SOLELY AND LEGALLY
		RESPONSIBLE FOR EACH PUP’S HEALTH GUARANTEE.

After You Get Your New Baby:

		PRACTICE BEING CALM AND ASSERTIVE IN RELATING WITH YOUR NEW PET FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.
		Read Cesar Millan's books or watch him on the National Geographic channel to make a huge impact on your relationship with your new pet.

		KNOW ABOUT THE DANGERS TO TOY BREEDS AND HOW TO PROTECT THEM. KNOW ABOUT JOINT DAMAGE
		IN LARGE BREEDS AND HOW TO PROPERLY CONTROL JOINT GROWTH THROUGH NUTRITION. See our Small Animal Safety and Nutritional Information Pages on the website.

		GO TO A LICENSED VET AND GET A SECOND PROFESSIONAL OPINION ON YOUR NEW PUPPY. It is required
		for any type or recourse. Make a copy of your Health Certificate and take it with you.

		IF YOU HAVE AN ANIMAL DEEMED UNFIT FOR SALE; you must acquire your veterinarian’s written statement
		of their opinion of the defect.

		MAKE A COPY OF YOUR KENNEL REGISTRATION APPLICATION! Larger kennel clubs or mail carriers
		sometimes accidentally misplace important paperwork.

		BRUSH UP ON FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS CONCERNING LIVE ANIMAL ORDINANCES. (FLORIDA STATUTES
		828.29)

		DON’T EVER PUT YOUR NEW PUPPY ON THE GROUND OR LET ANY PEOPLE HANDLE OR PET IT UNTIL ITS
		HAD ALL OF ITS SHOTS. Read our Contagious Disease Sheet and save your new pup’s life.

		ONLY WHEN YOUR PUP IS FULLY VACCINATED CAN YOU SOCIALIZE THEM WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND PETS.
		Do not overlook this very critical point. When their health is safe, you can make sure they aren't fearful of new people, pets, or things; such as a car ride, your relatives, or a little league baseball game, etc.

		IF YOU HAVE BEEN SWINDLED, AND YOUR SELLER HAS VANISHED, you can track the original breeder
		through your kennel club registration papers—if you got them. They will be able to help you with the puppy's parents, pedigree and medical history.

		REPORT THE SELLER TO AUTHORITIES --IF YOU HAVE PROOF-- and the breeder refuses to talk to you about
		your pup’s alleged congenital health issue. False claims are a criminal and punishable offense. You can contact County Animal Services, local Sheriff authorities, the Kennel Club the seller uses, your legal attorney, federal business organizations, etc. (depending on how mad you are). All of these places are legally obligated to investigate the matter for you in the best interest of the animal.

Please remember that there are many responsible and reputable breeders out there,
but that you have to be your own investigator. “Go with your Gut”.
I promise, you’ll be much happier for it--and I know you can live with that…

During the Research Stage:

		FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH CESAR MILLAN--THE DOG WHISPERER. This will help you understand the
		canine mind in general.

		CONSULT A LICENSED VETERINARIAN ABOUT ANY BREED YOU ARE CONSIDERING. Ask them about the
		specific breed pros and cons.

		ALWAYS PERSONALLY VISIT THE BREEDER to see the conditions of the home and both parents of any puppy
		you are interested in.

		DON’T BUY ON IMPULSE. Sellers depend heavily on this and also in the fact that you won’t be able to return
		a pup unfit for initial sale.

		DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU PURCHASE OR ADOPT A PUPPY-NOT AFTER. Know your breed and your
		chosen breeder very well.

		PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL BREEDERS YOU ARE INTERVIEWING. You get a ZERO “gut instinct” reading
		from an impersonal e-mail sent by a machine. Websites don’t account for decades of experience.

		MAKE A DETAILED LIST OF YOUR QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU CALL THE BREEDERS, and grade their answers.
		Even do a compare chart if you so desire. Also, save the info and phone numbers, so you can contact the right one at a later date.

		AVOID BREEDERS THAT DON’T WANT YOU TO COME TO THEIR HOME. They probably have something to
		hide. Legitimate breeders will allow you into their home to meet their family, pups, and pup parents.

		AVOID “LOCAL” BREEDERS WITH OUT OF STATE NUMBERS, and never agree to meet at a neutral place.
		These are usually pet dealers who buy cheap from northern ‘puppy mills’ and then travel to an urban or metropolitan area to resell at higher price. They are extremely difficult to trace if something goes wrong.

		BEWARE OF “BAIT AND SWITCH”. This is where they entice you with a great photo (probably stolen) to get
		you to visit; then that particular pup is taken, but here’s another one of lesser quality.

		MEET YOUR NEW FAMILY MEMBER IN PERSON. Bond with it and it with you, BEFORE you take it home.
		Remember that a pet is a “LIFETIME COMMITMENT”. Take a bus, plane, car, or train, but get there to see your new baby in person. It’s really so very important.

		DON’T BUY LIVE ANIMALS AS GIFTS, unless the recipient is directly involved in the process. Many people
		don’t necessarily want or ever develop a bond with that particular ‘gift’ animal, and its one of the most common reasons that they end up in the county pound or shelter.

		TRY NOT TO REPLACE A PET THAT HAS PASSED WITH EXACTLY THE SAME BREED, COLOR AND GENDER.
		You are automatically setting your new pet up for immediate failure, because they can NEVER be the other dog that you loved and lost. There are some exceptions.

		DON’T RULE OUT MALE PUPPIES! They are generally more loving, attentive, and even in temperament—
		making them a more preferred gender for family pets. Generally, females tend to pick their own favorite human, and sometimes ignore the rest of the family, whereas males love everyone in the household the same.

		CANINES GENERALLY PREFER OPPOSITE SEX COMPANION IN EITHER PEOPLE OR ANOTHER CANINE. In
		felines the opposite is true. If you are looking for a playmate for an existing pet, especially a female dog, a male would be better suited for a new family member.

		IT IS A MYTH THAT TINY ANIMALS ARE NOT AS HEALTHY AS LARGER SPECIMENS. They just need a lot
		more protection. Responsible breeders strive for maximum health regardless of the size the pups. Any size animal can fall prey to health issues. Size doesn't matter.

		STEER CLEAR OF BREEDERS WHO SLANDER OTHERS. This is an old-school scare tactic used by less ethical
		breeders. Reputable breeders will refer others and don’t need to cut down anyone to sell their pups -- BECAUSE THEIR DOGS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES!

		BEWARE OF BREEDERS WHO TELL YOU EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO HEAR. An honest breeder will relay ALL
		of the facts, both the good and the bad. Animals are living creatures, and have different personalities and strong and weak points --the same as you or I do.

		BEWARE OF PET STORES AND BROKERS - THEY ARE BIG BUSINESS. They buy cheap and sell at a high
		markup. Sometimes these puppies transfer hands several times before they finally rest in yours, picking up who knows what along the way. Brokers are the biggest danger in selling a pup for too low of an amount. These faceless middlemen often try and relay any problems on the more accessible original breeder who probably hasn't seen the animal in months.