In this day and age with identity left. There is no way I would give my ss# to a breeder in order to adopt a dog. I have no problem giving my vet info, references, pics of my home, etc., but why would I risk giving my ss# out to someone who is a breeder in case it got lost or the breeder didn't shred it properly.
Like I said, I don't ask for SSN, but if I ever did, it would be ONLY for use if the owner could not be found and I had a serious need to contact them. I would probably put that in my contract as well. That they are giving me the number for contact purposes only and any other use of the SSN is a strict violation of contract and THEY could take me to court over it. Might give the person a little more of a secure feeling knowing that I also have a part of the contract to uphold.
I have worked at so many places that have applications floating around it's crazy. It IS very easy to get someones SSN. Think about when you go buy a car. You fill out an app which goes to the salesman, then the sales manager, then to several banks, and then who knows how many people look at it. Heck, up until last year the state I live in had you SSN on your DL's!
I myself don't do a credit check nor have I heard of anyone doing that. It is for informational purposes only.
And as far as someone breaking into my house, or Red's, well........good luck! You better want something pretty darn bad to risk getting past 3 Rottweilers and a few guns.
and again...why is the fact that it's easy to get...somehow relevant to the fact that other individuals, should not be privvy to it? My house address is easy to get...it's listed...does that mean you have the right to show up at my home and expect to be let inside, or better yet just walk right in and put up your feet? umm...no?
If this is a true dealbreaker for folks here when it comes to placing a puppy...I have to say it's one of the weaker one's I've seen.
Fence? Check
Experience with the breed? Check
Stable home situation? Check
Lifetime commitment? Check
Vet references? Check
Home Check? Check
Inside dog? Check
Obedience class already picked out? Check
Previous dog died of old age at 13? Check
Can I have your SSN? NO? You must have something to hide! OUT OF MY HOUSE!
If this is a true dealbreaker for folks here when it comes to placing a puppy...I have to say it's one of the weaker one's I've seen.
Fence? Check
Experience with the breed? Check
Stable home situation? Check
Lifetime commitment? Check
Vet references? Check
Home Check? Check
Inside dog? Check
Obedience class already picked out? Check
Previous dog died of old age at 13? Check
Can I have your SSN? NO? You must have something to hide! OUT OF MY HOUSE!
Its not that hard to get, which I object to. I see no need to add to the problem by handing it out.
As for a credit check, um . . . no. That's way too much information to give anyone who doesnt' need it for legal reasons. Like I said, you can have all the phone numbers, addresses, photographs, references, etc, you would like. You can even see a redacted bank statement. You can call my office to make sure I work where I say I do. You can call my vet, you can call the vet before that one. But giving out private information that I don't even give to my finace, my family and my friends? I would hope that I would have a long term friendship with my breeder, but that's a little personal. Hell, my LANDLORD doesn't have all that information.
Concern for your dogs if totally understandable. However, there's a line somewhere, and I think when we get into SSNs, credit checks or long personal questionaires about topics that have nothing to do with dog ownership, we've gone over it.
As for a credit check, um . . . no. That's way too much information to give anyone who doesnt' need it for legal reasons. Like I said, you can have all the phone numbers, addresses, photographs, references, etc, you would like. You can even see a redacted bank statement. You can call my office to make sure I work where I say I do. You can call my vet, you can call the vet before that one. But giving out private information that I don't even give to my finace, my family and my friends? I would hope that I would have a long term friendship with my breeder, but that's a little personal. Hell, my LANDLORD doesn't have all that information.
Concern for your dogs if totally understandable. However, there's a line somewhere, and I think when we get into SSNs, credit checks or long personal questionaires about topics that have nothing to do with dog ownership, we've gone over it.
I would rather pass over the bad homes too...that's a no brainer.
It's rather like the magical amount in those commercials. There IS no guarantee...the only way to guarantee you are 100% safe, and never over the course of your entire breeding life, have a bad apple...is to not engage in breeding or selling...dogs.
BTW....pet owners deserve to not be giving things out to people they do not know well. Let's not forget that breeders themselves can be twisted, and do things and act in manners that can cause a pet person or anyone...true distress. Always bear that in mind when looking for a pet....it's important you the buyer...get a GOOD vibe from your breeder...and don't be afraid to walk if you don't. Buyers have gut instinct too.
It's rather like the magical amount in those commercials. There IS no guarantee...the only way to guarantee you are 100% safe, and never over the course of your entire breeding life, have a bad apple...is to not engage in breeding or selling...dogs.
BTW....pet owners deserve to not be giving things out to people they do not know well. Let's not forget that breeders themselves can be twisted, and do things and act in manners that can cause a pet person or anyone...true distress. Always bear that in mind when looking for a pet....it's important you the buyer...get a GOOD vibe from your breeder...and don't be afraid to walk if you don't. Buyers have gut instinct too.
No, it doesn't necessarily mean you should give it out freely, but you should be aware that it isn't the big deal we're led to believe it is.
And, to put things in perspective, ONE breeder who has your SS# isn't likely to loose your number out into the public as say, Citibank or BankAmerica is to *lose* hundreds of thousands of full SS#s and bank account IDs all in one fell swoop So it comes down to the question of how badly do you want a puppy from that particular breeder? Make up your own mind from there.
Straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel sort of thing.
And, to put things in perspective, ONE breeder who has your SS# isn't likely to loose your number out into the public as say, Citibank or BankAmerica is to *lose* hundreds of thousands of full SS#s and bank account IDs all in one fell swoop
So it comes down to the question of how badly do you want a puppy from that particular breeder? Make up your own mind from there.Straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel sort of thing.
It's interesting that guarding one's personal information and being discerning...and worried about one's financial status and identity being secure, is actually the mark of someone who knows the value of security.
They know the importance of using care and judgement, and doing careful research and asking questions before just up and giving up something you value....yet those aren't important traits at all apparently in a good home for a dog.
They know the importance of using care and judgement, and doing careful research and asking questions before just up and giving up something you value....yet those aren't important traits at all apparently in a good home for a dog.
More people need to be aware of how easily obtainable that info really is . . . I'm not even remotely in the elite eschelon of identity investigating, since most of my investigations have been dealing with people whose identities I knew already and events. If I can find it, those who concentrate their efforts in that direction and are computer savvy don't have a problem with it.
Is it good to be aware and careful? Hell yes! Just don't be lulled into a feeling of false security and looking at the wrong places for potential breaches.
Again, it just boils down to whether or not you want the puppy from that particular breeder. The breeder's entitled to set their own criteria, and you're entitled to go along with it or reject it and look elsewhere.
Technically, only the Federal government and your bank are really entitled to access to your SS#, but if you've ever fiilled out a credit app, you know the rules.
Is it good to be aware and careful? Hell yes! Just don't be lulled into a feeling of false security and looking at the wrong places for potential breaches.
Again, it just boils down to whether or not you want the puppy from that particular breeder. The breeder's entitled to set their own criteria, and you're entitled to go along with it or reject it and look elsewhere.
Technically, only the Federal government and your bank are really entitled to access to your SS#, but if you've ever fiilled out a credit app, you know the rules.
I never put my SSN unless I absolutely have to.
Just because it's not so hard to get doesn't mean I want it floating around even more places where it could possibly be stolen. That's just ridiculous reasoning.
I'll just pass on the puppy and I can guarantee the breeder is losing out on a GREAT home for their pups. *shrug*
Just because it's not so hard to get doesn't mean I want it floating around even more places where it could possibly be stolen. That's just ridiculous reasoning.
I'll just pass on the puppy and I can guarantee the breeder is losing out on a GREAT home for their pups. *shrug*
I'm not a breeder (at this point), but I have very strict requirements for people who adopt my foster dogs and puppies, so I thought I'd share.
Do you use a questionnaire? Yes, an extensive one which is the first thing I send people when they inquire about a dog. For those who qualify on the initial questionnaire, I then follow up with a phone interview and a veterinary check. If things go well at this point, I then schedule a "meet and greet" where I bring the dog to the prospective adopter's home. I require all family members and pets be present. We then spend the afternoon chatting and observing how the family and other pets interact. I also make sure that the fencing and indoor environment are safe for said dog. I require at least a four foot fence attached to the house for anyone who wishes to adopt one of my fosters (regardless of breed).
Do you keep a waiting list? I keep a list of people with paper approved applications.
If you have a breed with special considerations, such as a working or high energy herding breed, how do you make sure the homes you select are prepared for such a dog? Often I require that they have owned such a dog before. I have many questions on my questionnaire regarding exercise needs, grooming needs, prey drive, and I also talk about it extensively with the prospective owner when I do the home check. My home check consists of an entire afternoon (often 4-5 hours) where I bring the dog and meet the entire family and all other pets. This is a great time to see how everyone interacts and if it is a comfortable environment for my foster.
Does what has happened to the previous dogs of prospective buyers enter into your decision making process? Yes, it does. Not only do I require written permission to speak with the owner's veterinarian, but I also want to know how all past owned animals have been kept, trained and what became of them (rehoming, lost, deceased, etc).
Do you or have you sold dogs to persons who are not of legal age? No, I have not, nor would I. I have adopted to families with minors living in the household, but the primary owners have always been the adults. One of my most meaningful adoptions was an Alaskan Malamute I rehabilitated and fostered for just over a year. She was adopted to a home with two other Malamutes. The parents had an autistic child, and when I first brought my foster dog into their home, the boy wrapped his arms around the dog and she just wagged her tail and licked him. The mother and I were both in tears. It was simply amazing, and they are the best of friends today. I talk to them often and they tell me that my foster has really connected with the boy, even beyond how their other two Malamutes have.
Why or why not? Often times, minors do not have the financial capabilities nor the knowledge to properly care for a dog in and of themselves - especially one who has temperamental or physiological rehabilitation needs.
Do you use a questionnaire? Yes, an extensive one which is the first thing I send people when they inquire about a dog. For those who qualify on the initial questionnaire, I then follow up with a phone interview and a veterinary check. If things go well at this point, I then schedule a "meet and greet" where I bring the dog to the prospective adopter's home. I require all family members and pets be present. We then spend the afternoon chatting and observing how the family and other pets interact. I also make sure that the fencing and indoor environment are safe for said dog. I require at least a four foot fence attached to the house for anyone who wishes to adopt one of my fosters (regardless of breed).
Do you keep a waiting list? I keep a list of people with paper approved applications.
If you have a breed with special considerations, such as a working or high energy herding breed, how do you make sure the homes you select are prepared for such a dog? Often I require that they have owned such a dog before. I have many questions on my questionnaire regarding exercise needs, grooming needs, prey drive, and I also talk about it extensively with the prospective owner when I do the home check. My home check consists of an entire afternoon (often 4-5 hours) where I bring the dog and meet the entire family and all other pets. This is a great time to see how everyone interacts and if it is a comfortable environment for my foster.
Does what has happened to the previous dogs of prospective buyers enter into your decision making process? Yes, it does. Not only do I require written permission to speak with the owner's veterinarian, but I also want to know how all past owned animals have been kept, trained and what became of them (rehoming, lost, deceased, etc).
Do you or have you sold dogs to persons who are not of legal age? No, I have not, nor would I. I have adopted to families with minors living in the household, but the primary owners have always been the adults. One of my most meaningful adoptions was an Alaskan Malamute I rehabilitated and fostered for just over a year. She was adopted to a home with two other Malamutes. The parents had an autistic child, and when I first brought my foster dog into their home, the boy wrapped his arms around the dog and she just wagged her tail and licked him. The mother and I were both in tears. It was simply amazing, and they are the best of friends today. I talk to them often and they tell me that my foster has really connected with the boy, even beyond how their other two Malamutes have.
Why or why not? Often times, minors do not have the financial capabilities nor the knowledge to properly care for a dog in and of themselves - especially one who has temperamental or physiological rehabilitation needs.