"Dog Flipping"  

           I'm writing this in regards to a new article on the issue about a dog named Duke who was believed to have been "Dog Flipped". According to http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/ a woman has finally been reunited with a dog she had lost, who had escaped her yard in Springfield, Ohio. Ashley Young the owner of the dog in question Duke, believes Duke was a victim of "Dog Flipping". A woman Alicia Dixon stated a family member found the dog a few weeks back. She said she had taken the dog to the vet, fed the dog and then placed "Dog Found" ads on Craigslist. After the ads were unanswered she then sold it to a family in Columbus, Ohio for $200.When Young saw an ad that was similar to her dog she contacted them and it turned out to be Duke. Young and Dixon eventually came to an agreement to get the dog back to her. The dog has now been returned and is home.

         "Dog Flipping"  is very common. Can happen anywhere anytime. The people flipping dogs are making good money at doing it. Some dogs especially pure breeds or sought after dogs can go for a pretty penny. To the right buyer they can get over $300 for a pure bred dog no matter what age or sex, or type. The more money they can get, they will wait for the right buyer. Even a normal Mutt can go for $100 or more, again age and sex don't matter.  Unspayed or unuetered pure bred dogs go for even more as they know they can be bred. Spaying and neutering an animal before giving it away or selling it to someone, should be first on list. People don't think their dog will be worth money, these "Dog Flippers" know which dogs they can make money off of and which ones they cannot. Just cause you think it is not worth any money does not mean it isn't. Even $50, they don't care if they can make something off of it they will.

        Many times they will lie to the new owner about the age as well. A big sign is when they say they do not have the vet paperwork on hand, or will mail you the paperwork, chances are you will never receive it. That is one of the big red flags. Why? They do not want you to get the information on where the dog came from, it will clearly have another persons name on it, so buyer beware. Some may lie and tell you their name is the name listed on all the vet paperwork they give, hence why you need to verify a few things when you are buying a dog from someone online or anywhere for that matter, they could be a "Dog Flipper".

       Duke's story we cannot know for sure if the dog was truly "Dog Flipped". Only Dixon would know for sure if it was the case.Its an issue becoming more and more popular. Many have heard the stories about not giving your dog away for free or any animal for that matter on any site like Craigslist. There are many predators out there looking for a good deal, or a few extra bucks in regards to your pet. There are many more reasons not to give your pet away for free but this is not about those issues, but some go hand in hand. Craigslist is one of the worst resources for finding your pet a home, if done the wrong way. If you take the steps below even things like Craigslist can be used to find a pet a home. Craigslist is not terrible if you take the steps to ensure the person is legit. Many people do go on Craigslist to find their new pet and new family member not knowing some of the scams out there, but there are also those who troll Craigslist looking for a dog they can make money off of as well. 

        Many especially now a days will prey off the unknowing just to make $. Some of these people will do it without a care in the world. They will take your dog, possibly not even feed the dog, lock it in a small cage, and do God only knows what to it, before they resell your pet. They do not care about your pet, they care about the money. Many of these people will also make lies about who they are, or their intentions for your pet. They may even come to your home, tell you they want to keep the dog will love it forever, just to go home and make another ad for the dog to resell it with a higher amount. They may even bring other people with them to make them look like a nice family, you probably will never suspect them on what they are doing, they have become professionals at this.

       I ran a rescue for a little while, and have been rescuing dogs for a few years now. My adoption fees were low, and many were concerned about them being so low. I did however make sure I checked everyone out, vet references, personal, and also home check done and other assurances. I also had an adoption app, and a contract for all who adopted dogs. I feel that if done the right way and everything checked out, I would rather them spend the extra money on the dog then to have me make money from the dog. Some I even did give away for free when they checked out well, as it was not about the money. Some rescues charge huge amounts thinking it will save the dog from being resold, but that's not the case. If done the right way you can still give your pet away for free, or low price. I know I have asked many people and they say they don't want money for their pet and explain just a good home. If you could possibly ask for money in your heart, is the best thing to do, and not give it for free. Even a small amount is better then nothing. A higher price will NOT ensure the safety of your pet, only doing it the right way and checking people out will. Many of the "Dog Flippers" excuses for their high price is to make sure their dog is taken care of. They will sell it high and give the excuse I had listed above as to why its so high, its how they get their money.

       I am putting here my adoption contract that I have redone without our rescue name and put "Us" instead. You can use this contract if you need one. Save it to your computer and you can change it around as you wish by copying and pasting to wherever you want to save it, on a word document etc do as you will. You can put your name instead of "Us". On the contract it states we can at any time take the dog back. You need to make this clear when giving away or selling your pet, because once they sign something you have the upper hand if you ever feel there is wrong doing by the adopter. This contract is binding, and will save you and your dog for if an issue ever arises that your dog has been "Dog Flipped". I recommend everyone who sells, or gives away their dog has a contract. Since this was our rescue contract some of it may seem to straight forward, again change it as you wish. HERE is the contract. Without a contract, if you give your dog away, legally the new owner can do whatever they wish and has every right to resell your pet.

      It's not only Craigslist, but it is anywhere anyone is giving their pet away for free or small amount. If you love your pet, and don't want to take $ for your pet then you need to make many necessary assurances your dog is going to a good home. By all means if you do not care about your pet, or where it goes then go ahead and do as you will. You will have to live with it forever, wondering where your dog is, or who has done what with it. If you do not care about your pet then at least give the dog a little bit of dignity and find a rescue or no kill shelter to take it to, to give it somewhat of a chance. Every animal is a living, breathing, and feeling being.

         Another way these "Dog Flippers" get pets is also as stated in the article about Duke. Lost dogs, or escaped dogs are very easy targets. They have nobody to answer to, no contract, no owner to the animal and therefor they will scoop the dog up and resell it. The article stated nothing could be done to Dixon because the dog did not have an Id tag, nor a microchip. A Microchip is a life savor, whether if a "Dog Flipper" gets your dog, or if your dog is picked up by an animal control officer. Many people don't know much about a microchip. It does NOT have a GPS chip in it, so no if your dog gets lost it will not tell you where your dog is. The reason for the chip, is if your dog is ever picked up by animal control or another person, it can easily be scanned and then the owner will be contacted.

           The chips have saved many lives, and reunited dogs with their owners from even states away! If someone finds a lost dog, all they have to do it bring it to a vet clinic where they will scan it for free and get in contact with the owner. Every dog should have a microchip, it costs $15 to get it, then you have to take more steps and get it registered for I think another $15 through the company all paperwork will be given from vet when you get it done, but many do not take the next step in registering it they think they are all done, and you are not.  I recommend every dog should have a chip, no matter what the reason.

         If you love your dog, do the right thing. Many people who give away their pet for free, or even for money do it because of one reason or another. Most do not do it cause they hate their dog, they do it cause something has come up and they feel they need to re home their pet. Do not make ads like come get this dog its free, or free to first person who comes. Many bad things can happen, give your dog a little respect and take a few days to re home them as they would have given you eternity. Below I'm making a list of some things that should be done for easier viewing. Please consider some of these things when re homing your animal. Your pet you once loved could end up in a landmine, or worse tortured and starved before dying, do you want that in your head if you were ever to find out it happened? It happens daily to people whether you have seen it or not.

#1. When re homing your pet, make your ad show you are serious about it going to a good home "Do not write ads like "dog for re homing free come get it" "dog for free, unspayed, good dog, free to the first person who comes here". Write your ad to show you mean it when you say good home, express you will check and get references or do home check etc. When a "Dog Flipper" sees this they usually don't respond, there are easier targets for them. Make sure to do as you say you will, no matter how NICE they seem.

#2. If you have the means, please spay and neuter your animals before placing them to a new home. Many places do it for under $100.

#3. If you have the time, which many do, try and find a RESCUE not a SHELTER to take your pet, many will. Make sure though, to check the rescue out and make sure it is Legit and not just another con for a "Dog Flipper". Many claim to be rescues when they are not. Do your homework, you owe it to the dog. Many rescues will gladly help, if they cannot take the dog, many will work with you on finding the right home, and checking potential adopters out.

#4. NEVER bring your dog to a KILL shelter. Take the time if you have to and all else fails to find a no kill shelter or a rescue as stated above.

#5. Always Microchip your dog. Even if you believe your dog will never get lose, many who have lost dogs thought the same! It will save your dogs life!

#6. Use my adoption contract, that way it is binding! Many "Dog Flippers" will not sign such contract, and tell people in your ad you have a contract for them to sign as well to weed out the "Dog Flippers".

#7. As Stated in #1, get references done at least a vet reference. If they do not have one if they have not owned a dog for awhile then get another type of reference if you have to. Not having a vet reference is a red flag though. Do a home check if possible. If not in your area, reach out and find someone who is in their area, if you ever need help, contact me and I will find someone for you. This all may see time consuming but truthfully it is not. It can usually be done within a day or two. Give it time, do not rush as your dog relies on you to find it a good home. If someone does not allow a home check, Red Flag.

#8. Make sure the family is a good fit. You know your dog, so find out about this new family.

#9. Try and ask them if they will send you updates and pics of the dog. If they deserve to have a dog, they will have no issue and understand that you want to make sure your dog is happy

#10. If you follow all these things, chances are your dog will be safe. If you do not, your dog could be a victim of one of these "Dog Flippers". Sometimes they are con artist, and still can get by most of these things but it will ensure you took every measure possible. If you have them sign the contract, you have every right to check in on the dog. Make sure you see their ID and make sure they are signing the right name, write down the license number. Only someone with bad intentions will have an issue with any of these things. If you ever suspect any wrong doing you go to the police with your contract or animal control. Or Even show up at their house and if they do not release the dog then call the police. You have every right to get your dog back at that point, but without the contract, you have no rights to the dog anymore and they are free to sell your dog to the highest bidder.