Dog purchase

[fedupwithdeployment]

I have a slightly bizarre story, and don't actually know all the facts, so please bear with me. A friend of mine appears to be having a breakdown. She has financial issues (as well as children and 3 existing pets) and recently told her DP that she wanted another dog. He said no, they couldn't afford it. She drove to the other end of the country and bought a dog the other day. The general consensus is that she needs to return the dog.

Despite this puppy being a pedigree, apparently no paperwork / contract exists. The KC registration is apparently in the post but may take 10 days. My friend was in such a tizzy when she bought the dog that she doesn't (apparently) have the address.

This seems odd to me. Would a reputable breeder sell a puppy to someone who appeared at the door out of the blue? Surely there should be some form of paperwork? Certainly that seems to be recommended on the KC website. I suspect she may have been conned ...but my primary concern with regard to the dog is that we find out where the dog came from so that it can be returned and be found a good home.

Any thoughts?

I'd be more worried about your friends health tbh!

I thought as much.

The DP and her parents are doing everything possible to get her some help...I rather suspected that the position would be as set out by Mutt, and that they shouldn't waste time trying to locate the breeder.

As much as I love dogs, I am not in a position to look after one, and sadly neither is she at the moment. She needs help, but the dog also needs a home. If we can tell her that there is a happy outcome it will be better for all concerned.

Thanks all.

Did she use a satnav to get there? If she did you might be able to find an address from there? Or any online route planning. Obviously if she used a map that's harder...

The thing is that she had contact details...but couldn't find the place. So she asked a man who had a friend....

If there truely is no paperwork (and I am not 100% sure, she is apparently in such a state), I think she has probably been conned and the breeder is highly unlikely to be interested even if we could find him.

Many thanks Mutt. I will look at that. We are also quite near Battersea...It is an awful situation. Will find out more tonight, but am keen that the dog is removed asap as (with everything else) it will be extremely unsettling for the children.

It is a whippet.

It's possible that a rescue could provide help by keeping the dogs in foster care while the lady gets over the worst of her illness. Currently snoring gently by my feet is a handsome greyhound lad who along with his partner in crime sister are staying with us as foster hounds while their owner is in hospital, she's been very poorly. It's been wonderful for her to know that her hounds are being looked after together in a caring home, and has removed a big source of worry. We've even been able to visit her in hospital with the dogs which she loved, and cheered up everyone else on the ward too.

I would certainly agree though that no reputable breeder would sell a dog in these circumstances - and from what you've said this sort of vendor would be highly unlikely to have the dog back. On the positive side, it is usually very easy for rescues to rehome puppies.

I hope your friend gets all the treatment and support she needs, and sending good wishes to her family and you. Mental illness is very difficult for all those around the patient.

As it's a whippet, get in touch with Scruples whippet rescue - actually one of their rescue co-ordinators is a MNetter so might even see this and advise you. They are a highly respected national UK wide whippet rescue with a network of volunteers across the country. There will be absolutely no problem at all in rehoming a whippet pup - they are wonderful family pets and deservedly very popular.

Hi. Just seen Scuttlebutter's post - thanks. We have actually spoken to them already, and I think that it will work out - they were lovely and very understanding. It is an awful situation. Friend disappeared for over an hour this am and we thought she might have done something really stupid...police were great. She came back, but everyone is incredibly stressed.

The dog was safely delivered to the Scruples lady in Dorset. I understand she was lovely and I am sure the dog will find a more suitable home soon.

Thanks all.