How to Identify Trustworthy Breeders | Key Points for Verifying Credentials and Track Record
A guide to confirming a breeder's trustworthiness before purchasing animals. This article covers how to verify their animal handling business registration number, how to read reviews, key points for evaluating transaction history, and important questions to ask.
Key Takeaways
A guide to confirming a breeder's trustworthiness before purchasing animals. This article covers how to verify their animal handling business registration number, how to read reviews, key points for evaluating transaction history, and important questions to ask.
The Importance of Selecting a Trustworthy Breeder
Purchasing animals is different from ordinary shopping. It is the act of welcoming a new life, and whether that animal will remain healthy and long-lived depends greatly on the quality of the breeder. If you purchase from an unscrupulous breeder, you may end up with an individual with congenital diseases, improperly socialized animals, or those with counterfeit pedigree certificates—troublesome situations that occur all too frequently.
To identify a trustworthy breeder, you need to know several verification points. It is important to make a comprehensive judgment from multiple perspectives, including credentials, registration status, track record, and communication.
Verifying Legal Registration and Credentials
In Japan, anyone engaged in the business of selling or breeding animals must register as a Class 1 Animal Handler as required by law (based on the Law Concerning the Protection and Management of Animals). When you contact a breeder, first make sure to confirm their "animal handling business registration number."
Key points to verify are as follows.
- Request to see the registration number: Legitimate breeders can provide the number immediately. Be cautious if they respond with "I'll look it up later" or "I don't know."
- Verify with your local prefectural office: You can confirm whether the registration number is correct by contacting your prefectural animal welfare center or public health division.
- Request photos of the registration certificate: If you're purchasing from a distant breeder, ask them to send you photos of the registration certificate via email or message to confirm the details.
Additionally, if the breeder handles species subject to international protection (such as fish, reptiles, or amphibians listed in the CITES appendices), they may need CITES export/import permits or registration documents based on the Species Conservation Law. Be sure to research in advance whether the animals you're considering purchasing are subject to these regulations.