Buyers beware: Shannon Ensminger with Tiny Paws and Claws (tinypawsandclaws.com) is a FRAUD. Here's my personal experience with her, and how she SCAMMED me when I was trying to buy a Chihuahua puppy. I ended up adopting a Chihuahua puppy from her, before I found out that she was a complete SCAM and had so many other complaints from other customers about her.
First off, on her website, she says, "We accept credit cards"... Which is a BIG no, no. She only accepts credit cards for small down payments and for payments in advance. She doesnt accept PayPal or checks, and she demands cash for the balance of the payment.
She originally said that my puppys parents were both short coat and AKC registered. The next time, she told me that the dad was actually a long coat. Then, she said the dad was AKC registered, but the mom was only CKC registered. I mean really, can't you make up your mind?! Who are the real parents of my puppy??? Do I need a DNA test to prove my puppy is actually even a true purebred?
On the day I went to go and get my Chihuahua puppy, I was asking her some questions about feeding, potty training, health, etc... And she was getting very defensive and started contradicting herself. She said many times that she would rather just keep my puppy than sell it to me because I was asking questions.
She also has a "no return after 48 hours if not seen by a vet" policy. No dog breeder would have a 48 hour limit unless they were sure that their puppies get sick and/or die.
According to previous conversations with Shannon, my puppy was guaranteed to have all of her shots, deworming, fecal, and even come with a "health certificate." She told me she takes her puppies to her vet on a regular schedule, that her vet knows her very well, and that the vet would deworm my puppy and give her shots on the regular schedule for puppies.
However, when I picked up my puppy, Shannon told me that she normally administers all of her own deworming and shots to all of her puppies instead of taking them to a vet because she is licensed to do so by the state of Texas.
Also, she told me that my health certificate for my puppy was in my paperwork and then told me the shot record was the health certificate. However, I did not receive a health certificate of any kind in my paperwork.
When I questioned her about not receiving a health certificate for my puppy, she told me that my puppy did not need a health certificate since it was not flying on a plane, and Shannon said she didnt want to pay the extra $30 to get one for my puppy from a vet. Wow! As much as she charges for these puppies ($1000-$5000), you would think she would be willing to pay $30 for a health certificate for each of her puppies.
When I got home, I immediately took my baby Chi to my vet, and guess what they said? She had worms, parasites, kennel cough, Parvo virus infection, or a much more serious disease that could be fatal (only time will tell), as well as a hernia. That's right, A HERNIA. My vet doubted that Shannon even ever takes her puppies to the vet except if customers insist.
Shannon claims that she gives all shots and deworming at home and is licensed to do so by the state of Texas. Now, I have to wonder if she lies about that, along with everything else.
Before I went to pick up my Chi puppy, Shannon said that she would include a dog carrier; a feeding kit that included Royal Canine dog food, nutri-cal tube, and other items; a puppy blanket with the mothers scent to make the puppys transition easier, a health certificate, CKC registration papers, and an outfit for her.
I received NO carrier for my puppy, a very small amount of Purina dog food mixed with sugar in a Ziploc sandwich size bag, less than 1 oz. Of nutri-cal (not even enough for 1-2 days), no health certificate (I was promised one), and a brand new baby blanket with the tags still on it instead of a blanket with the moms scent.
I would most definitely not waste your time with this breeder. My vet said many things about this breeder are very shady at the least. Shannon is obviously not an ethical breeder, considering she never stops selling puppies!
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