First-Time Live Animal Purchase Checklist | A Guide to Buying Successfully
A checklist for first-time live animal purchasers, covering pre-purchase preparations, questions to ask breeders, how to identify healthy animals, and setting up your receiving environment.
Key Takeaways
A checklist for first-time live animal purchasers, covering pre-purchase preparations, questions to ask breeders, how to identify healthy animals, and setting up your receiving environment.
When purchasing a live animal for the first time, excitement comes hand in hand with anxiety. Questions abound: "What kind of individual should I choose?" "What should I do after it arrives?" By preparing thoroughly beforehand, you can prevent trouble and start your life with the animal on a good footing. In this article, we introduce a checklist of what to keep in mind for your first live animal purchase.
Pre-Purchase Preparation Checklist
Before welcoming your new animal, confirm that the following preparations are in place.
Husbandry Environment Setup - [ ] Researched and prepared appropriate cage or aquarium size for the species - [ ] Gathered temperature management equipment (heaters, thermostats, cooling fans) - [ ] Prepared lighting fixtures (if needed) - [ ] Installed filters and air pumps (for aquatic animals) - [ ] Added substrate or bedding - [ ] Set up hiding places or shelters - [ ] Obtained water conditioners and dechlorinators (for aquatic animals) - [ ] Installed a thermometer/hygrometer
Cycling Your Husbandry Environment - [ ] For aquariums: Cycled water for at least 1-2 weeks before arrival to establish beneficial bacteria - [ ] For enclosures: Confirmed stable temperature and humidity within the appropriate range - [ ] Completed equipment function checks (heaters, filters, lighting, etc.)
Other Preparations - [ ] Prepared appropriate food - [ ] Confirmed an exotic animal veterinary clinic is nearby - [ ] Studied basic husbandry knowledge from books or websites - [ ] Obtained family approval - [ ] For apartments: Confirmed pet ownership is permitted
Questions to Ask Your Breeder
Ask these questions to ensure you're purchasing from a trustworthy breeder.
About the Individual - What is the birth date (hatch date)? - Is sex definitively determined? - Can you provide information about the parents (breed/genetic line)? - What are the current husbandry conditions (temperature, humidity, diet)? - Has the animal had any illness or injury? - Is its appetite good? What is it currently eating?
About Shipping - What is your packing method? - Which days can you ship, and how many days does delivery take? - Do you offer a DOA (dead on arrival) guarantee? What are the conditions?