What it checks
- How old the website is, from the public registration record of its address.
- Whether the seller is in our directory of 14,649 US breeders, and how many public reviews it has.
- Where the phone number is from, by its area code, and whether the same number is used by listings in several states.
We do not store what you check and we do not open the seller's website.
Before you pay
- See the puppy with its mother on a live video call or in person.
- Ask for the parents' health test results and a written contract.
- Pay with a credit card or at pick-up, never with gift cards or crypto.
Questions
Can this tool tell me if a seller is a scammer?
No. It shows public signals that are easy to check and hard to fake: how long the website has existed, whether the seller has a public business listing with reviews, and where the phone number is from. Use them together with a live video call and a visit.
Why does the age of a website matter?
Puppy scam websites are reported and taken down quickly, so most are only a few weeks or months old. A website that has existed for years is a good sign, although not a guarantee. A real kennel can also have a new website.
The seller is not in your directory. Is that bad?
Not by itself. Many small breeders have no public business listing. It only means we found no public reviews to check, so the other steps matter more.
What is the safest way to pay for a puppy?
In person when you pick the puppy up, or with a credit card. Never with gift cards, crypto or a transfer you cannot reverse.