Puppy Brokers
What are brokers and how to identify them
A puppy broker is nothing more than a middleman, one who buys animals from other sources and resells them.
Brokers typically buy puppies or litters lots of puppies from puppy mills, backyard breeders or other dealers, for as little as $10 a puppy or $50 for a litter, and charge up to hundreds of dollars or more for individual animals. The majority of brokers operating in NJ buy puppies from Pennsylvania’s Amish and Mennonite puppy millers, with whom they’ve established long relationships. Many of these puppy millers operate just like their broker buddies, underground and illegally.
Posing as breeders, many brokers perpetrate the ultimate scam on unsuspecting buyers who think they are dealing with reputable breeders.
Some rescue brokers, when they're not pulling unwanted puppies for free from out-of-state shelters and pounds, troll Craigslist or classifieds looking for free or cheap dogs. Free to good home ads are like found money for these shysters.
New Jersey has several dozen brokers operating in all twenty-one counties. A significant number of brokers advertise on PuppyFind.com and Breeders.net, as well as in the NJ Star Ledger and other local papers. Some of the brokers we are aware of are former animal control officers, illegal pet shop brokers, and individuals posing as rescues!
These dealers are slick, sleazy and are pros at lying, telling you anything you want to hear. Some brokers even go overboard in their online ads swearing they don’t buy from puppy mills or other dealers.
Red Flags or how to know if you’re dealing with a broker
• Uses several aliases and/or cell phone numbers to avoid detection
• They are willing to sell you a puppy with no questions asked
• Cash only sales
• Sale is rushed, in and out the door.
• They will offer to deliver the puppy to you for a small fee; will never let anyone on their property.
• No health guarantee or option to return the puppy should something go wrong.
• They sell many different breeds and/or have litters available every week
• Be aware of excuses or stories i.e.“I am selling the puppies for my friend or relative"
• Being told “If we can’t sell the puppies we will have to put them down.”
• No puppy parents (sire and dam) on site. Uses lame excuses i.e the “mother is resting.”
• The puppies and/or mother dog or facility smell strongly of urine or feces.
• The puppies are nervous, cowering or even aggressive – these are signs of lack of socialization.
New Jersey Brokers in the News
Attorney General Sues Millstone Puppy Dealer Allan Levine
Video of Levine denying the charges
Judge dismisses defamation suit, allows NJ blogger to rail against Shamong dog brokers
Click here to read about the SLAPP Suit filed by dog dealers Donna Roberts (Oak Shade Road, Shamong) and Dawn Abrams
Click here to read the Court's Opinion and Order
William Roberts Case
Puppy broker who advertises on PuppyFind.com under Bill in Woodbury or John in Deptford. Roberts is an unlicensed dealer who delivers puppies he purchases from other dealers (many from PA or Ohio Amish and Mennonites, according to paperwork provided by his buyers) for a $15 fee. Read about his case here.
New Jersey is plagued with dozens of unlicensed puppy brokers who pose as breeders. Most of them buy puppies from Amish puppy mills in Pennsylvania and Ohio.