puppyfind.com
Overview of PuppyFind.com
PuppyFind.com (now operating under the name Puppies.com) is an online platform that connects individuals looking to buy puppies with breeders and sellers. It bills itself as a marketplace for different dog breeds, offering search filters, breed categories, and a listing interface for sellers. According to a review, breeders listing on the site pay membership/subscription fees after an initial free period. (Sidehusl.com)
How it works
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Buyers can browse by breed, location, gender, age, price, etc. (Ask.com)
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Sellers sign up, list the puppy details, photos (up to 10 according to one review), and select a paid plan to keep the listing live. (Sidehusl.com)
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The site itself states in its user agreement that it does not guarantee the condition, health or legitimacy of any animal listed. (stoponlinepuppymills.org)
Key features listed
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Wide selection of breeds, from common to less common. (Ask.com)
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Search filters (breed, size, activity level, gender, location). (Sidehusl.com)
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Listings allow breeders to upload multiple photos and write a description including health, temperament, etc. (Sidehusl.com)
Pros — What the platform can offer
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One of the biggest advantages is wide availability: For buyers looking for a specific breed, PuppyFind.com offers lots of listings.
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For breeders, the platform provides a marketplace that can extend reach beyond local adverts. One breeder review claimed the site “increased advertising worldwide.” (Sidehusl.com)
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The search interface, if used wisely, can help buyers narrow down choices by location and breed characteristics.
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The updated interface (and rebranding to Puppies.com) signals an attempt to modernize. (Sidehusl.com)
Cons & Risks — What you must watch out for
While PuppyFind.com offers the functionality, a number of serious concerns have been raised by users, watchdogs and industry groups.
Lack of oversight on breeders
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The website is essentially an open bulletin board: anyone can register as a breeder and list puppies. According to one watchdog site, “there is no guarantee any of the people selling dogs on PuppyFind.com are good or reputable breeders.” (stoponlinepuppymills.org)
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There are documented cases where puppy-mills or large commercial breeding operations used PuppyFind.com to list puppies under false information. One case: a breeder using multiple aliases, listing in different locations, with hundreds of dogs in inadequate conditions. (stoponlinepuppymills.org)
Review and feedback manipulation
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Some users claim that negative reviews of breeders listed on the platform are removed or suppressed at the breeder’s request. One blog states: “PuppyFind removes customer complaints … therefore it might look like a breeder has a 5 star rating but in reality they could have many negative complaints.” (SEM Booty Blog)
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On review sites, the platform’s rating is low: on PissedConsumer it shows a 2.4/5 rating from 85 user reviews. (PissedConsumer)
Buyer beware risks
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Multiple user testimonials indicate problems after purchase: illnesses, fake health records, large deposits or payments to ship puppies sight-unseen. (PissedConsumer)
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An old forum post (which still is cited) warns: “PuppyFind.com has a terrible reputation overall. It's used extensively by puppy millers, backyard breeders and scammers.” (forum.chowchow.org)
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The platform explicitly states in its terms: “YOU EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT YOUR USE OF THE PUPPYFIND SERVICES IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK.” (stoponlinepuppymills.org)
Recommendations — If you choose to use it
If you decide to use PuppyFind.com (or Puppies.com) to buy a puppy, you should proceed with extreme caution and treat the platform as a directory rather than a guarantee of quality. Here are practical steps to reduce risk:
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Vet the breeder thoroughly
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Ask for the parents’ health records, full names, registration/ monitoring, hip/eye clearances depending on breed.
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Visit the breeder's facility (or do detailed video/virtual tour) to see living conditions of mother and puppies.
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Check associations/breed clubs for recommended breeders.
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Ask for references from previous buyers.
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Avoid paying large deposits until you see the puppy
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Don’t wire large sums until you’ve seen the puppy, met the mother, verified paperwork. Beware of “ship to you” offers without visit.
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Get a contract or guarantee – health guarantee, refund policy, conditions.
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Check reviews and search for red flags
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See if there are multiple complaints about the breeder or listing.
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Use search engines to look up breeder name, address, phone – see if there are repeated negative results.
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Use secure payment methods
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Prefer credit card or PayPal (if possible) instead of wire/transfers which are harder to recover.
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Get receipts and documented communication.
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Post-purchase follow-up
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Immediately get the puppy checked by a veterinarian.
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Keep all records. If the puppy develops health problems that were misrepresented, you’ll need documentation to address it.
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Final verdict
PuppyFind.com (now Puppies.com) can be a useful marketplace to find available puppies of a certain breed, but should not be relied on as a guarantee of a reputable breeder or healthy puppy. The platform’s open nature means there is significant risk, and many complaints point to unscrupulous sellers or problems with verification.
If you treat the site as a starting point – a way to gather a list of potential breeders – and then perform all the due diligence yourself, it might work. However, if you assume that listing on this site equals quality or oversight, you may be exposing yourself to serious issues.
Key Takeaways
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PuppyFind.com offers broad listings of puppies, with search filters and breeder-listing tools.
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The platform does not verify all breeders or guarantee health and welfare of puppies; you take most of the risk.
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User feedback is mixed to negative: ratings around 2.4/5 on some review sites.
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Serious red flags exist: puppy‐mills have used this site to list puppies under false pretenses.
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If using the site, do rigorous research: inspect breeder, verify parents, avoid large deposits upfront, insist on meeting or video meeting.
FAQ
Q: Is PuppyFind.com a scam?
A: Not necessarily a scam in itself (it is a functioning listing platform), but many scams happen via listings on the site because it allows any seller to list. So the risk is higher.
Q: Does PuppyFind.com check breeder credentials?
A: According to watchdog commentary, no comprehensive verification is mandated. Sellers sign up and list puppies, and there’s minimal oversight of their breeding practices. (stoponlinepuppymills.org)
Q: I found a puppy I like on PuppyFind.com — what should I do next?
A: Contact the seller, ask for vet records, parents’ health tests, request to visit (or video tour). Meet the puppy and mother if possible. Use secure payment and keep documentation.
Q: Are there alternatives to PuppyFind.com?
A: Yes — for example breed-club-recommended breeders, local rescues, or platforms with stricter certification/verification. Always research independently.
Q: Is the rebranding to Puppies.com meaningful?
A: The name change (from PuppyFind.com to Puppies.com) was noted in 2022. (Sidehusl.com) The underlying business appears the same. Rebranding alone doesn’t change the structural risks.
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