Responsible Pet Breeders: Background and 2024 Review

You want to buy a brand new puppy for the family. You’ve done your research and want a breed that’s not available locally. So what are your options? Purchasing a puppy from an online breeder is a popular choice, though it comes with the risk of scams or unethical breeders. One way to ensure you’re making the right choice is to use Responsible Pet Breeders (RPBA) for additional research.

Who are Responsible Pet Breeders? They are not a puppy classified site, but instead an organization that is “dedicated to the responsible breeding and ownership of dogs and cats.” They provide a space for breeders and customers to come together and ensure the safety and well-being of pets.

Background on Responsible Pet Breeders

Responsible Pet Breeders is not exactly an online marketplace — in other words, you can’t buy a puppy directly from their website. However, it is a valuable tool for researching and finding reputable breeders around the world. 

To become a full member of RPBA, a breeder must be checked and audited by a veterinarian. That ensures they are breeding dogs or cats in a way that meets the organization’s stringent requirements. Approved breeders must have a solid understanding of best practices, breeding code of ethics and how to care and bring up their animals. Breeders must also feed their puppies a premium diet.

History

Responsible Pet Breeders was founded in Australia in 2018, striving to create a place to share opinions and ensure animals are treated ethically with love and care. They created a Code of Ethics to further enhance pet-buyers’ trust — they follow this code to the letter and don’t accept breeders with more than 10 unspayed females.

Features

Responsible Pet Breeders has many features that make it a fantastic online pet resource. Members of RPBA have access to many different discounts, including the leading pet transportation marketplace CitizenShipper. Other benefits of breeders becoming a member of RPBA is free handbooks, records, agreements and other documents. Breeders can have their profile display details like a membership certificate, breeding animal details, breeder tools and more.

Reviews

Responsible Pet Breeders’ reviews highlight the organization’s experience with pets. The company has overwhelmingly positive reviews that tout its membership services and a customer support team that goes above and beyond to ensure members have all the tools they need for success.

One particular review stands out because it’s specifically about animal welfare — where the puppy and its mother were treated humanely. This speaks volumes to how Responsible Pet Breeders strives to be ethical in all practices. The communication between buyer and seller is seamless, which several reviews point out.

Not Just For Purebreds

Another standout feature of RPBA is that the organization isn’t just for purebred dogs. Instead, it’s a place where any type of breeder can connect with potential customers. This is very different from most breeder clubs which only monitor long-standing breeds. Responsible Pet Breeders understands that this sort of monitoring doesn’t guarantee the health of most pets and suitability for most pet owners nationwide. You can learn more about RPBA and its Code of Ethics on the company’s About Us page.

Is It Safe To Buy a Pet From an Online Breeder?

You may have a lot of questions and be wondering if it’s safe to buy a pet online? Let’s take a look at key factors. 

• Research Reviews: Make sure you choose a breeder with a strong ethical reputation. Reviews and testimonials are one way to confirm a breeder is reputable and responsible. Being a member of RPBA is a good sign too.
• Breeder Transparency: The breeder should be transparent at all times. If possible, visit their location so that you can see they maintain proper living conditions for the animals. Ask for credentials to confirm their experience, qualifications and practices. If you can’t travel to their breeding location, confirming a membership with RPBA is a good way to ensure the breeder is ethical and responsible. 
• Health and Care Standards: All pets should always have a full veterinary check up, including vaccinations, deworming and screening for genetic conditions. Puppies and other pets should also be well socialized when spending time with humans and other pets. 
• Legal Protections: A breeder should provide you with contracts that outline the sale terms, health guarantees and spay/neuter agreements. Contracts protect both the buyer and the breeder. Always ensure the breeder has a return or rehome policy.
• Red Flags To Watch Out For: A breeder isn’t willing to provide clear information about the pet’s health, lineage or living conditions. The breeder doesn’t want you to meet in person. The price is too good to be true.

Bottom Line

Online pet marketplaces are a relatively new option for potential pet owners. Responsible Pet Breeders helps you make an informed decision about what breeder you’ll use to find your next family member. RPBA strives to present pet owners with ethical and humane options for purchasing or adopting a pet. When you purchase a dog or cat from a breeder that’s out of state or across the country, you need a transport service you can trust. CitizenShipper is a pet transportation marketplace with thousands of caring, compassionate drivers that will get your new dog or cat home safely and comfortably.