Probably the most comprehensive coverage I’ve seen on the Pet Flipping trend comes from the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council.
PIJAC President/CEO Mike Canning recently appeared on the nationally syndicated Jim Bohannon radio show to discuss pet flipping. Here’s Segment 1 and Segment 2 if you’d like to tune in.
The PIJAC site also lists five tips to help protect your dog and your family from this crime trend:
1. Spay or neuter your dog. If you aren’t a breeder, you really don’t need your dog to have reproductive capabilities, and if you spay or neuter, the dog becomes less valuable to a prospective flipper.
2. Microchip, microchip, microchip. I can’t say this enough. If your dog has an embedded chip and you keep the registry information current, there is no denying that the stolen dog is yours.
3. Keep your dog in your sight. Don’t leave the dog unattended in an unlocked car or tied outside the store while you just “run inside for a minute.” It’s never just a minute, and it’s not worth the risk. If your dog does go missing, add Craigslist to your list of places to check daily, in addition to the dog pound, shelters, rescues, and vets near you.
4. Do NOT confront the criminal if you find your missing dog listed for sale on an online forum. Contact the perpetrator posing as a buyer, then notify the police. When confronted, some of these nasty folks will just kill your dog rather than face the music. Leave it to the professionals.
5. If your dog goes missing, post as much information as possible, along with several photos, on all social media (Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, lost pet boards, etc.) Good Samaritans may be able to help you match your dog to one advertised for sale.
People (and I use the term loosely) who are involved in pet flipping are not known for keeping the dogs under humane conditions. If your dog is a victim, make sure you get him or her vet-checked when you recover your lost family member. Check for dehydration, starvation and diseases associated with too many dogs being kept in close quarters such as bordatella.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!