Animal-sale rules and verification
Questions buyers and sellers may ask
ProvenPet is not just for dogs. We support sale and verification workflows for dogs, cats, horses, and birds, with additional animal categories planned as we expand. The process uses the seller’s state, buyer’s state, animal, age, seller type, and planned handoff to prepare a transaction-specific checklist.
How can I avoid getting scammed when buying a dog online?
Use several independent checks rather than trusting a listing, photo, prerecorded video, or seller-supplied reference alone. Verify the seller’s identity and current control, require a fresh case-bound view of the specific animal, confirm important records with their stated source, compare the payment recipient when protected payment is not used, and use a written contract and appropriate payment protections. Read ProvenPet’s puppy scam prevention guide.
Is ProvenPet only for dog sales?
No. ProvenPet handles verification for the sale of dogs, cats, horses, and birds. Because each species and transaction can involve different records, identification methods, health requirements, and handoff steps, the checklist changes to fit the selected animal. We are expanding responsibly and welcome suggestions at info@provenpet.net.
Are the legal requirements the same for every animal?
No. The current 50-state automated ruleset is specifically for dog sales. Cat, horse, and bird cases use species-appropriate verification steps and may require authority review while their state-law rulesets are expanded. ProvenPet will not apply a dog requirement to a different species or guess when a rule is unclear.
Which verification levels are available for cats, horses, and birds?
The $99 Essential Verification is available now for dogs, cats, horses, and birds. The $249 Complete and $500 Platinum levels are currently available for dogs only because their health, microchip, registry, DNA, and Puppy Pack services are dog-specific. When a buyer selects a cat, horse, or bird, those dog-only levels cannot be selected. Expanded species-specific levels are coming.
Why does ProvenPet ask for both the seller and buyer state?
The destination state generally controls interstate entry requirements, while the seller’s state may also regulate the sale, minimum age, export, or seller’s facility. ProvenPet checks both sides of the route.
Does ProvenPet cover dog sales in all 50 states?
Yes. Every state is represented in the dog-sale ruleset. A clearly confirmed requirement is locked. If an exemption, seller category, local rule, or temporary animal-health order makes the answer uncertain, the case is marked for authority review instead of guessing.
Why can’t the seller choose “No” for a locked requirement?
A locked item means the dated source matched the case facts and identified the item as mandatory. The seller may state when it will be provided, but cannot use ProvenPet to represent that a mandatory item is unnecessary.
Is a health certificate always required?
No. Requirements differ by destination, whether ownership changes, how long the dog will remain, the seller type, and other exemptions. North Carolina and Texas, for example, do not currently require a state CVI merely for a domestic dog to enter, although rabies, carrier, contract, local, or emergency rules may still apply.
Is a microchip always required?
No. ProvenPet does not treat the Complete-plan reader as proof that every state requires a microchip. A microchip answer is locked only when a rule clearly applies to the selected transaction—for example, an Ohio pet-store sale. The reader may still be included as a verification tool even when state law does not require implantation.
Does a health certificate guarantee that the dog is healthy?
No. A certificate records a veterinarian’s examination and required information as of a particular date. It is not a guarantee against every illness, genetic condition, future condition, or undisclosed fact.
What does “authority review needed” mean?
ProvenPet found that the answer may depend on an exemption, license, locality, current disease order, or fact not yet captured. The item remains a declaration until the relevant state authority or a qualified professional confirms how the rule applies.
What if someone notices a possible state-law error?
Email info@provenpet.net right away with the two states, animal type, and the official source if available. Do not include government-ID images, card information, or other sensitive data.
How can I suggest another animal type or verification feature?
Email info@provenpet.net with the animal category or feature you would like ProvenPet to support. Suggestions help guide the next phase of expansion.
