| Sacred Heart "Puppy Visitation Policy" |
I have alway been a firm believer in allowing people to come to my home, to view
and choose their new baby. Several events over the last few years have caused me to
change my thinking and my policy on home visits. I understand my new policy may
upset some people, however, through experience this is the best way I can manage my
time and peace of mind when it comes to my dogs. First of all, you must understand, I
am not running a "business", I am just a small, hobby breeder. I have decided to not
allow strangers into my home anymore, for the sake of privacy and safety, for myself
and my dogs. This is not just an excuse, because I have something to "hide". I
certainly have heard that before, but in fact I have many good reasons for this
decision.
Puppy diseases are easily spread by even the most casual contact. The best breeders
will not allow their puppies to be seen or handled until the puppy has had it's first
shots, usually not before 6 weeks of age. This is a very good reason for meeting at
another location, as good breeders must do everything in their power to keep their
home disease free.
Unless the breeder is also a public groomer or boarding kennel, they may not carry
the type of insurance that would protect them from minor lawsuits. This can be a
problem when people insist on bringing a small child or their current dog to see the
puppies. Children have been known to wander around the breeder's home, peering
into kitchen cabinets, even attempting to enter bedrooms, basements and garages!
Careless parents have handed small puppies to a child, only to have the child drop
the puppy and break it's leg! I've had people get angry with me and refuse to buy a
puppy from me because I wouldn't bring a litter of 5 week old puppies out for their 2
year old child to play with and choose the one "he liked best". I was shocked that
somebody could even think of something so ludicrous, let alone expect me to do it. I
was very relieved that one of my puppies would not be going to that kind of home.
A buyer usually does not realize the number of inquiries a breeder, who has puppies
for sale, can get every day. Some people just want to see what the puppies look like,
with no intention of buying a puppy. Breeders have outside jobs, family obligations
and, of course, the dogs.
Some people, after getting the breeder's address, will just show up with no warning.
They do not seem to understand that they are in a breeders HOME, and do not respect
the breeder's privacy. There are also some people who do not know when to leave.
The breeder may have to go to work, cook supper, answer the phone or any number of
life's activities.
Then there is the breeder's biggest nightmare - thieves and/or other criminals!
Breeders have had puppies stolen from their home when they went to answer the
phone while the "prospective" buyers were looking at the puppies. Others have lost
puppies after showing the puppies, only to have the "buyer" return when the owner
was not home, to break in and steal all the puppies. Even more disturbing, some have
had their home robbed of personal property several days after showing the puppies.
I’ve had friends that have been assaulted or worse, all because they had a puppy for
sale and allowed someone to come to their home. THIS HAPPENS MORE THAN
YOU THINK! The AKC has just recently, published an article warning that
"Breeders need to be aware of home visits by potential puppy buyers", link follows:
AKC Article
Last, but not least, don’t forget poor Bobbie Jo Stinnett, the girl in Missouri that was
murdered in 2004, and had her unborn child cut out of her womb, all because she
allowed some woman to come to her home to see a puppy she had for sale. And
more recently, the Yorkie puppies that were stolen at gunpoint, from a home in Los
Angeles on 3/3/07. IT’S NOT WORTH IT TO ME, I’D RATHER LOSE A SALE
THAN LOSE MY DOGS OR MY LIFE. I MEET ALL MY CUSTOMERS AT A
PRIVATE RESIDENCE, IN MERCED, CA. ( I used to meet in public places, for
everyones safety, but since our governer changed the law, I now have to meet on
private property. Sorry for the inconvenience) They can see & interact there, with
any puppy that they may be interested in. I bring the puppies only, not my adult
breeding stock, as I do not want them exposed to outside germs and then returned to
my kennel. This may not be the best scenario, as the puppy isn't in their home
environment, and pictures have to suffice rather than viewing the parents in person,
but it is the best I can do under current day circumstances. There are NO
EXCEPTIONS regardless of who you are, what articles you may have read warning
against breeders not showing you the environment their puppies are raised in, or how
far you have to drive, so please don't ask.
Although some people may not agree with my policy on this issue, I hope they can at
least understand my reasons for making this decision. I am VERY protective of my
animals when it comes to their health and well being and will not risk their health and
safety, nor my own, for any reason.
and choose their new baby. Several events over the last few years have caused me to
change my thinking and my policy on home visits. I understand my new policy may
upset some people, however, through experience this is the best way I can manage my
time and peace of mind when it comes to my dogs. First of all, you must understand, I
am not running a "business", I am just a small, hobby breeder. I have decided to not
allow strangers into my home anymore, for the sake of privacy and safety, for myself
and my dogs. This is not just an excuse, because I have something to "hide". I
certainly have heard that before, but in fact I have many good reasons for this
decision.
Puppy diseases are easily spread by even the most casual contact. The best breeders
will not allow their puppies to be seen or handled until the puppy has had it's first
shots, usually not before 6 weeks of age. This is a very good reason for meeting at
another location, as good breeders must do everything in their power to keep their
home disease free.
Unless the breeder is also a public groomer or boarding kennel, they may not carry
the type of insurance that would protect them from minor lawsuits. This can be a
problem when people insist on bringing a small child or their current dog to see the
puppies. Children have been known to wander around the breeder's home, peering
into kitchen cabinets, even attempting to enter bedrooms, basements and garages!
Careless parents have handed small puppies to a child, only to have the child drop
the puppy and break it's leg! I've had people get angry with me and refuse to buy a
puppy from me because I wouldn't bring a litter of 5 week old puppies out for their 2
year old child to play with and choose the one "he liked best". I was shocked that
somebody could even think of something so ludicrous, let alone expect me to do it. I
was very relieved that one of my puppies would not be going to that kind of home.
A buyer usually does not realize the number of inquiries a breeder, who has puppies
for sale, can get every day. Some people just want to see what the puppies look like,
with no intention of buying a puppy. Breeders have outside jobs, family obligations
and, of course, the dogs.
Some people, after getting the breeder's address, will just show up with no warning.
They do not seem to understand that they are in a breeders HOME, and do not respect
the breeder's privacy. There are also some people who do not know when to leave.
The breeder may have to go to work, cook supper, answer the phone or any number of
life's activities.
Then there is the breeder's biggest nightmare - thieves and/or other criminals!
Breeders have had puppies stolen from their home when they went to answer the
phone while the "prospective" buyers were looking at the puppies. Others have lost
puppies after showing the puppies, only to have the "buyer" return when the owner
was not home, to break in and steal all the puppies. Even more disturbing, some have
had their home robbed of personal property several days after showing the puppies.
I’ve had friends that have been assaulted or worse, all because they had a puppy for
sale and allowed someone to come to their home. THIS HAPPENS MORE THAN
YOU THINK! The AKC has just recently, published an article warning that
"Breeders need to be aware of home visits by potential puppy buyers", link follows:
AKC Article
Last, but not least, don’t forget poor Bobbie Jo Stinnett, the girl in Missouri that was
murdered in 2004, and had her unborn child cut out of her womb, all because she
allowed some woman to come to her home to see a puppy she had for sale. And
more recently, the Yorkie puppies that were stolen at gunpoint, from a home in Los
Angeles on 3/3/07. IT’S NOT WORTH IT TO ME, I’D RATHER LOSE A SALE
THAN LOSE MY DOGS OR MY LIFE. I MEET ALL MY CUSTOMERS AT A
PRIVATE RESIDENCE, IN MERCED, CA. ( I used to meet in public places, for
everyones safety, but since our governer changed the law, I now have to meet on
private property. Sorry for the inconvenience) They can see & interact there, with
any puppy that they may be interested in. I bring the puppies only, not my adult
breeding stock, as I do not want them exposed to outside germs and then returned to
my kennel. This may not be the best scenario, as the puppy isn't in their home
environment, and pictures have to suffice rather than viewing the parents in person,
but it is the best I can do under current day circumstances. There are NO
EXCEPTIONS regardless of who you are, what articles you may have read warning
against breeders not showing you the environment their puppies are raised in, or how
far you have to drive, so please don't ask.
Although some people may not agree with my policy on this issue, I hope they can at
least understand my reasons for making this decision. I am VERY protective of my
animals when it comes to their health and well being and will not risk their health and
safety, nor my own, for any reason.
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