Craigslist is an excellent tool for people to buy and sell various forms of merchandise, all while catering to a local community of buyers. Craigslist is easy to use – even those who aren’t familiar with the internet can use the site! If you’re looking to learn how to sell puppies on Craigslist, here’s what you need to know.
Before you scroll down this guide, “How to Sell Puppies on Craigslist,” you can check out these other guides created from our team at We Love Doodles: Dog Breeding Pros and Cons and How to Euthanize Your Dog at Home?.
Table of Contents
Can You Sell Puppies On Craigslist?
Before we dive into the details of selling puppies online, we want to answer the question officially, can you sell dogs on Craigslist? The short answer is yes, you can sell dogs and puppies on Craigslist without any issues. Unfortunately, the full answer is a little more complicated.
Craigslist technically prohibits the sale of animals on its platform. However, you can get around this rule by posting free ads. Alternatively, you can ask for a “rehoming fee” for your dog, which will help cover your expenses while ensuring that your dog will be sold to a responsible new owner.
Related: What is a Puppy Mill?
Why Does Craigslist Prohibit The Sale Of Pets?
Craigslist does not allow the sale of dogs on their site; this rule is in place to legally protect Craigslist, themselves. Dogs bought and sold on Craigslist can be stolen, used in dog fights, or produced in puppy mills as just a few examples! In the same way you wouldn’t want to buy these potentially unhealthy dogs, Craigslist doesn’t want to be held liable for allowing their sale.
By outlawing the sale of animals on their site, Craigslist avoids liability. This rule is not strictly enforced on the site but is in place to avoid litigation.
Related: Is PuppySpot a Puppy Mill?
How to Make a Dog Sales Post
If your dog recently gave birth to a litter of puppies, you probably feel a little overwhelmed. Suddenly instead of taking care of one dog, you could have as many as ten! As a result, it makes sense to sell most, if not all, of the puppies.
Remember that Craigslist won’t allow you to place your puppies for sale in the “for sale” section of the site. As you post your dogs, keep in mind that you’ll want to use the terms “free” and “rehoming fee” to avoid trouble.
1. Create Your Ad Listing For Your Puppy
The first thing you need to do is create an ad on the Craigslist website. You can do this free with or without an account using a valid email address. List all of the dog’s vital information in your ad. At the bottom of this section, you can mention a small rehoming fee of up to $50.
Including a rehoming fee is a good idea because it discourages animal abusers from responding to your ad. People who abuse animals are less likely to want to pay for their pets. As a result, you are more likely to get good people responding to your ads when you include a rehoming fee.
2. Ask Potential Owners Questions to Learn About Them
Whether you have one or multiple people interested in your animal, it is a good idea to get to know them before you confirm the sale. By getting to know them, you can evaluate whether they are a good potential fit for your puppy. You do not necessarily need to talk to them in person. Instead, you can talk to them over the phone or via email.
When talking to a buyer, you should ask why they want to adopt the puppy and about the accommodations they will provide for the dog. Their answers to these questions should give you a good idea of if they’re responsible owners. If you are talking to several people about rehoming your puppy, weigh the answers of each of the potential adopters.
Determine which buyers give the best answers and which seem untrustworthy. If you find someone that seems trustworthy and gives good answers, you can proceed to the next step. However, if you do not feel good about the person interested, do not hesitate to wait a little longer to find the right person. Remember:you choose who will receive your puppy!
3. Consider a Home Visit
4. Getting Ready to Rehome Your Puppy
If everything looks good after the home check, it is time for you to get ready for the rehoming process. It’s best if you can break down your pet’s daily routine to the buyers, allowing for an easier transition. A small notebook will suffice. Consider gifting the new owner a few supplies, too! Some of the food your dog is accustomed to would be welcome, as would be a blanket or toy that smells like your home.
You should then hand over your pet’s vet records. It is a good idea to check back in with the owners after a week or so to ensure that your pet is doing well in their new home. Additionally, you should sign a contract with the new owners stating that you will take your pet back if something happens to them. Your Craigslist ad will automatically expire 7 to 45 days after the sale.
Is It Immoral To Sell a Puppy on Craigslist?
This question is complicated, and it does not have an outright answer. The best answer is that it depends on the intentions and situation of the seller. Many people trying to sell dogs and puppies on Craigslist are doing it for the wrong reasons.
Irresponsible sellers may be trying to make a profit or eliminate a dog with health issues, temperament, lack of training, or aggression. If you come across those users on Craigslist, you should avoid them. Instead, it would be best if you only looked to purchase dogs or puppies from users looking for their dog to be rehomed or rescued. If you are trying to rehome your dog, only use Craigslist if it is 100% necessary.
Remember that your dog, puppy, cat, or other pet is part of your family. They love you, and you should try to keep them unless it is impossible. Going to a new home can be traumatizing for a dog or puppy. Pets feel emotions like everyone else, and they know who you are. So, if it can be avoided, you do not want to separate them from your family.
If you do find that you need to know how to sell a puppy on Craigslist, we understand that it’s not a decision you made without thought. Take your time and choose the best buyer for your dog to prevent guilt and regret over the rehoming process.
How Long Does It Take To Sell a Puppy On Craigslist?
If you hope your dog will be sold and rehomed within a few days of making a listing, you will be disappointed. It takes time for a dog to get sold and rehomed. How long it takes depends on the dog’s physical look, attitude, and characteristics you stated in the listing. You’ll also want to consider the time it will take for you, yourself, to be comfortable with the buyer!
Until you’ve dropped off your dog with his new owner, a buyer can back out on the deal. To prevent this, your ad should be as honest and detailed as possible. For instance, advertising a dog as quiet only to see the same pup yelping during a home visit is cause for a prospective buyer to change their mind! Keep your ads honest – puppies have personalities and any respectable buyer will understand this!
Rules To Follow When Selling a Dog On Craigslist
When you’re ready to sell your puppy, consider a few guidelines you should follow when selling on Craigslist.
- Take good photos of your dog. Most people get puppies because they are cute. Most people are not interested in adopting ugly animals. That might be a sad thing to say, but it is the case. As a result, you should take flattering photos of your pet for the ad.
- Include an accurate description of your puppy. In the ad, include a description of the puppy’s notable characteristics. That includes describing how it looks because you can only see so much from pictures. You should also describe your dog’s attitude, training status, medical history, and current condition. Let buyers know what types of food your dog likes and dislikes. Finally, include a list of activities that your dog enjoys.
- Be as honest as possible. We mentioned this above, but it is important enough to reiterate. Be as honest as possible when describing your dog. This rule is especially true when describing your dog’s personality. By being honest, you will avoid buyers going back on a sale at the last minute.
- Create and sign an adoption contract. The final rule is to sign an adoption contract with the new owners. This contract should include a clause that you can take your dog back if the new owner is caring for your dog poorly.
Adoption Clauses
- The owner will feed the pet enough food and water. Additionally, they will provide them with proper shelter and veterinarian care.
- The new owner will not abuse the puppy in any way.
- An allowance for you to check on the puppy within six months of the sale to ensure it is in good care.
- If the new owner no longer wants the pet, the prior owner decides whether the dog is adopted by a new family or returned to the original owner.
- A statement that if the pet is lost or stolen, the new owner takes full responsibility and should take reasonable steps to find it.
- A paragraph transfers control of the pet’s legal papers and registration documents to the new owner.
Related: Is PuppySpot Legit?
Conclusion For “How to Sell Puppies on Craigslist”
The decision to rehome a puppy is one to be taken seriously. As a result, you must take the time to find the right buyer. While Craigslist does not allow the sale of dogs, the site still provides an excellent platform for rehoming your puppies.
If you find this guide, “How To Sell Puppies On Craigslist,” helpful, you can check out these other dog guides from our team at We Love Doodles:
- How to Cut Your Yorkies Hair at Home
- How to Stop Your Dog from Slipping on Hardwood Floors
- How to Get Dogs Unstuck Fast?
You can learn more about selling your puppy on Craigslist by watching “How to Post on Craigslist Ads Without Getting Flagged” down below:
Sabrina Kong, DVM, Veterinarian
Dr. Sabrina Kong graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in England in 2016 and has been working at a small animal clinic in Northern California since then. She grew up in theBay Areaand got her bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She also became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through a program at the University of Tennessee.
When she isn’t in the clinic taking care of her four-legged patients, she enjoys traveling and trying new foods with her friends and her three-legged dog, Apollo. She adopted Apollo from her clinic when he was a puppy with numerous health issues. Dr. Kong truly cares about taking care of animals.
