I know I mentioned this trend a few weeks back but I do want to highlight it once more since we work with so many rescue folks trying to rehome deaf dogs. This article is by Suzanne Stafford and is running on WTVR in Richmond, VA. For all you trying to re-home puppies, please take the time to read about this disturbing trend called “dog flipping”. ~ Christina Lee – Deaf Dogs Rock

Video from Cleveland Ohio Fox 8

Dog Flipping: Animal activists slam ‘disturbing’ trend by Suzanne Statford 

CLEVELAND, Ohio (FOX8) — A warning is being issued for people putting pets and puppies up for adoption. A new trend, which animal activists call “disturbing,” is sweeping the internet. It’s called “dog flipping.” People scour the internet or even shelters and bring home purebred or desirable puppies and then re-sell them for a profit.

Some of the dogs are shipped to other countries on planes, while others land in puppy mills, where they are used as breeders.Dr. Greg Cunningham from Detroit Dover Animal Hospital in Westlake says, “That’s part of the reason a lot of shelters spay and neuter before they’re allowed to leave.”

Still, other dogs face an even more distressing fate. Often small or timid dogs are flipped and sold to be used as bait in dog fighting rings. “It’s very upsetting,” said Amy Cannon. She learned about dog flippers the hard way after two of her dogs that weren’t supposed to be able to get pregnant, suddenly mated. Cannon took the puppies to a veterinarian and got them their shots and then sold them on Craigslist for a very low price. She thought she did everything right, and even sold two of the pups to a seemingly loving couple. “(The buyer) was like, ‘We live with our family and have land,’ and I felt really good about it,” said Cannon.

The couple seemed so sincere she even gave them a third puppy named “Frankie” for free.

Click here to read the full article.