Letter to the Editor: Advice when buying a pet

Dear Editor:

Please tell me who Luis Rodriguez is? And what are his qualifications to critique my real-life experiences? (Letter to the Editor, 10/10/19)

Who is he to criticize my article, which was meant to keep people from being cheated and broken-hearted? Is he a veterinarian? Is he a breeder? Is he a pet store owner? Is he a rescue? How many years has he been in the pet business? What are his qualifications to advise anyone? What inaccuracies? Nothing I said was inaccurate.

For everyone’s information, not all people looking for a puppy want to go to the pound. Purebred puppies are hardly ever at a pound. Bless all the people that go there and save a life but AKC puppies are what a lot of people want. There are two very different types of people.

I have saved hundreds of dogs and cats from going to the pounds for the last 45 years. How many dogs has Mr. Rodriguez saved lately? I have worked with veterinarians my whole life. Every week clients come in with horror stories about Craigslist scammers. I was trying to save people from getting caught up in all the sociopaths out there waiting for sweet, unknowing people to answer their ads. So if it sounds fishy, beware.

Let’s make Mr. Rodriguez happy: they answer the phone and want to meet you on a corner. They tell you to send money via Western Union (so you can’t get a refund). “Send us money!” They don’t have any dogs, their pictures are fake.

Never send anyone money. Never meet on a corner or the street.

And in case you haven’t heard, Mr. Rodriguez, the law says pet stores in California can’t sell dogs or cats unless they’re from the pound. I am not a pet store. I am a very experienced, knowledgeable pet professional. Sounds to me like Mr. Rodriguez thinks he knows more than any real pro.

He may be concerned about the pet scam problem, so let me correct his inaccuracies. If the seller sounds intelligent, go to their home. Is it clean? Do the puppies look well-fed and playful? If so, get a receipt with the seller’s name, address, phone number and price. California law says you have two weeks to return the puppy with a receipt from a veterinarian stating the problem. Or you may keep the dog and still get money back from the seller for the vet bill. If the dog dies, you must present to the seller a death certificate from the vet.

You also have a year guarantee for any congenital problem. You may choose to keep the dog and get the money back for the vet bill. You have five days from the time you learned about the sickness to call the seller and state your intentions. I tell this to clients all the time.

Also, a new law just passed in California that is heaven sent. Emotional support animal law. Go online and certify your dog or cat as an ESA. No landlord can tell you you can’t have your pet, and you can’t be charged a fee to have the pet. Also, your pet flies for free. You must show documentation to the airline when booking your flight. Always get info from whatever airline you are flying.

So in closing Mr. Rodriguez, all my information comes from real experiences I have had. Nothing was inaccurate. And most people I talk to are careful but the ones that do get cheated “have common sense,” they are just nice people who trust the wrong people. I know plenty.

That’s my goal, to educate everyone who listens. So Mr. Rodriguez, I hope these steps are useful, and help YOU out.

Anna Beradini
Norwalk