Adopt a dog from a private individual

Adopting a dog can be done in different ways: from a breeder, in a shelter or, what interests us here, from a private individual . Many people want to sell or give away their dogs for a variety of reasons.

If they are offered puppies, it may be because their bitch has just given birth and the owners cannot keep the whole litter, that the pregnancy is not desired or that it is a small family breeding. If they are adult dogs, they may be offered for adoption due to relocation, death or even divorce.

In short, there is no lack of opportunities to adopt a dog from a private individual. The choice is wide, whether it is advertisements in the press, on the Internet or through word of mouth. As adoption from an individual offers, a priori, less guarantees than from a professional, you must study all aspects of the question before making your final decision.

Questions to ask yourself before adopting an individual

First of all ask yourself if you want to adopt a purebred dog or rather turn to a crossbreed dog. This criterion is important in more than one way: on the one hand, it will modify the procedures to be followed, especially if the dog is registered in the LOF , and on the other, it will influence the cost of adoption (puppies bred are generally for sale at higher prices, while crossbreeds are often free).

If you are targeting a specific breed, make sure the dog’s characteristics are compatible with your personality, lifestyle, and abilities. The compatibility between your dog’s life and your home is of the utmost importance. Do you have enough space for your companion to flourish and feel comfortable? Can you provide him with the outings he will need on a daily basis?

To increase your chances of making the best possible choice

French law has developed new legislation on the sale of a pet to prevent trafficking. This law requires the seller to have a SIREN number , he must also specify the identification number of the mother, the number of puppies from the litter, the age of the puppies and if they are possibly registered in the LOF. If one of these elements is missing, it may turn out that the ad is a scam, in any case, not in order.

Don’t rush . Adopting a dog is an important responsibility that you take on. From then on, go several times to the private individual who offers the desired companion for adoption. You will have so many opportunities to get to know the animal, to observe its behavior with its owner, its family, possibly its congeners and other animals.

Ask to see it at work in different situations, especially during walks. Watch him if he’s pulling on the leash, if he’s calm around people and other dogs he meets, if he’s not overly fearful, etc. Examine the dog for any signs of illness or poor maintenance , such as the condition of the coat, skin, ears, teeth or eyes.

In short, take advantage of your visits to the private individual to ask as many questions as possible about the dog’s personality , his history , his habits , his diet , his state of health and the precise reasons which push him to want to part with it. .

The documents and procedures required during the adoption

If you are going to buy a dog from a private individual, make sure you have the following documents:

Read also: Adopting a dog from the SPA

• Certificate of sale : signed by the seller and yourself, it includes the contact details of both parties, those of the seller’s veterinarian, the dog’s tattoo number, date of birth, sex, breed or type of cross , the sale price, as well as the date of the sale and handover of the animal. If it is a purebred dog registered with the LOF, ask for a birth certificate specifying the identity of the parents and the birth declaration number.
• The vaccination record : completed, updated and signed by the veterinarian.
• The dog’s identification certificate if it has been tattooed or has a chip.
• For purebred dogs registered in the LOF : the provisional LOF registration document and, if it is a confirmed adult animal, its pedigree.

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