So you decide that you want to bring a new dog into your life. You head over to the pet shop and discover the cutest “designer pet”, in this case, a Yorkipoo puppy. Instantly you fall in love with the cute little guy and the pet store has you hooked. That is until you see the $2500 price tag.
Ouch, you haven’t shopped for a pet in some time and weren’t expecting these kinds of prices. Spending $2500 is simply out of the question, so you put the puppy back in the cage and start to walk away. That is when the pet store clerk tells you that they offer to finance. Perfect, you can still bring home that little baby. What you might not know, however, is that what they are really offering you. is a leasing plan.
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What Is A Puppy Lease?
A puppy lease is just like any other lease. You agree to pay for the use of an item for a set amount of time and then you turn the item in at the end of the lease. Sounds strange to talk about leasing a pet, but that is what you may be doing with a pet shop. Are they really going to make you give your dog back?
Obviously, you would never turn your puppy in at the end of a lease, so what can you do? Read the paperwork. It is likely that your lease has a buyout amount that you will need to pay at the end of the lease in order to keep your pet. So, not only do you get to pay high interest for years, but you also have to pay a big bumper payment at the end of the lease, if you want to keep your pet that is.
Puppy leasing is an unfortunately common practice, and you need to be careful and thoroughly read any paperwork before you sign it. Several states such as California and Nevada have already banned puppy leasing, but you need to be aware that they are still out there.
Alternatives To Puppy Leasing?
There are several ways to get the puppy of your dreams that do not involve leasing.
Online Financing
There are several online websites that can get you financing for the puppy that you want. Here is one example of such an online puppy financing website. Puppy Lending will even put you in touch with a lender that will pay you cash directly. You can then use the money to buy a puppy from any breeder that you like.
That allows you to not only get the exact breed that you want but also allows you to avoid the pet shop entirely. Pet shops have inflated prices and often questionable ethics. It is hard to tell which ones are purchasing their pets from puppy mills, but you can assume that most of them are.
Animal Rescues
If you are not dead set on getting a puppy, animal rescue is a great way to get a specific breed of dog. No matter what breed of dog you are looking for, there will be a rescue. Want a Great Dane, you can find a rescue. Want a Bichon Frise, you can find a rescue.
The only catch with a rescue is that you are unlikely to get a puppy. Most of them will be adults or older dogs that need a good home. Still, that might give you a dog that is already fully trained for just $300 to $500.
Local Shelters
If you do not even want a particular breed, a local animal shelter is a way to go. For just a few hundred dollars, you will be able to adopt a dog or puppy that could use a second chance. These dogs will be vaccinated and usually spayed or neutered, saving you further expenses.
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Leasing is great if you want to trade in your car every few years, but it should never be used for an animal. This is a live creature after all, and one that you will want in your family for years to come. You would have to be heartless to ever consider turning your animal in after a few years of leasing.
Of course, these leasing companies never really expect you to turn in your pet. They expect you to pay the bumper payment and buy out your lease. It is just another way for them to increase their profits by conning you out of your hard-earned money.
So, next time you are at the pet shop and a sales clerk offers you financing, read the fine print. Even better, do not go to a pet shop in the first place.
