How legit does this rehoming post sound?

[Java]

From a Craigslist community > pets listing. Not a Labrador post but a retriever to be sure.

Pure Bred Golden Retriever Puppy

Unfortunately we are looking to rehome our beautiful 6 mth old female puppy. We are working professionals and have been working too much. We feel it’s not fair for her to be spending so much time in her crate. She will need her new owners to be energetic and lead an active lifestyle. A fenced yard is a must! She loves long walks, swimming, hiking and running. She is 100% house trained, she does all her duties outside. She is Crate trained. She knows all basic commands. She is extremely smart and learns very quickly. All the hard work is already done. She is spayed, microchipped and fully vaccinated. She is a happy, healthy, friendly pup. She loves everyone, especially children. She is great with dogs even small ones. However she has not been around cats. She is a sweet quiet girl and this was a very hard decision for us to rehome her. We love her and only want the best for her. We are NOT in a rush to get rid of her and will be choosy who she goes with. We are looking to find the right fit. Please send me a detailed message on what you have to offer our girl. Lifestyle, how much time you will have for her, other pets? Looking forward to hearing from you.

I have no experience with Craigslist. It’s not the way I plan on getting my next dog. But I’m curious what anyone thinks of posts like this. It seems to fall under the if it’s too good to be true category. If it’s a scam, what’s the point? I’m not Craigslist or Kijiji-savvy.

[Snowshoe]

Rescue people advised me to ask for Vet references for the stray cats we found homes for. The person above should do that too. And to always SELL the animal. Rescue folk said selling is a good way to weed out some bad people who may want a free animal to do who knows what with. Christmas is not a good time to place an animal. I would ask for the breeder's references on the above puppy and why isn't the breeder involved here? But yes, unfortunately, I think the above could be perfectly legit.

[smartrock]

Too bad they were too busy to realize they don't have enough time for a puppy before getting one. Doesn't really sound like a good breeder was part of their own wouldn't-getting-a-puppy-be-great process. Sounds like a legitimate ad to me. I hope the puppy gets a good new home.

Our local Next Door site had someone come on saying they wanted a young purebred labrador retriever and that being house trained and crate trained was required. A lot of people directed them to local rescues. Only one said if they don't want to deal with pet messes, they shouldn't get a dog, which was actually my initial thought also.

[SunDance]

Sounds like it could be legit. One thought, though, based on experience... There is the possibility that she has bad habits, despite the other glowing things they have to say about her. My female Honey was rehomed (after less than a week) because "the children are allergic". None of the four kids were sniffling/sneezing/etc. as they played with her when we showed up....but, purely from the standpoint of bad habits, Honey was a truly horrible little dog. This ad could have been written about Honey, though.

[JenC]

they need to return it to the breeder.

[Java]

Thanks! I’ve sent them an email with your suggestions plus the name of a reputable rescue group (in case the breeder doesn’t follow the Golden Retriever Club of BC’s breeders’ Code of Ethics). Their puppy would be adopted lightning fast if she was listed by the BCSPCA. Maybe even before that (one branch told me one adoption tactic is for people to show up on intake days to see what dogs and puppies come in, submit their pre-completed application and, pending reference checks and past dog experience, etc. adopt). Based on my experience with adopting from the BCSPCA, I can confirm the speed at which you have to move.

Sounds like it could be legit. One thought, though, based on experience... There is the possibility that she has bad habits, despite the other glowing things they have to say about her. My female Honey was rehomed (after less than a week) because "the children are allergic". None of the four kids were sniffling/sneezing/etc. as they played with her when we showed up....but, purely from the standpoint of bad habits, Honey was a truly horrible little dog. This ad could have been written about Honey, though.

I wondered about that too. I wonder how that much crating and too much running might physically affect a growing puppy and cause issues to show up later in her life. I’d guess the fence requirement, though common sense, may also mean she has zero recall at the moment. I also wonder if she’s spayed. I hope she lands in a good forever home.

[lovemylabby]

I can't imagine a 6 month old puppy that spends most of her time in a crate, is going to be the prefect puppy that knows all her commands etc.

She is probably full of energy and high spirits and the current owners are not giving her the proper amount of exercise or training.

If this puppy was purchased from a reputable breeder, the puppy needs to be returned to the breeder. I'm sure the breeder would cringe if she noticed this ad on Craigslist.

No reputable breeder would ever want this to happen.

Makes we wonder where they got the puppy.

All said and done, the posters have no time for the puppy, but they do have time to properly screen potential adopters????

I can only hope and pray the puppy doesn't fall into the wrong hands. I question any pet owner that would post an ad like this on Craigslist..

If they really loved the puppy, they would not post this ad.