A woman who purchased her dog for $300 off Craigslist has spoken out about the dangerous realities of buying pets online.
When Shelby Susnick, 30, first thought about getting a dog, she looked at rescuing from a shelter initially, but then she decided to expand her search by using Craigslist, too. She told Newsweek that she had her reservations because getting a dog online could be “sketchy,” but there are just so many who need a loving home, and she didn’t want to pass that up. Newsweek has contacted Craigslist via contact form for comment.
This is how she stumbled across Russell, who is a mix between a Labrador, rottweiler, pit bull, and chow chow mix. He was listed for $300, and she was instantly drawn to him. In January 2019, Susnick met with the seller in a Walmart car park in Atlanta, Georgia, where she was living at the time, and collected the newest member of her family.
“He smelled of cigarettes and was barely moving, but my instinct told me that I needed to save this dog from that situation,” Susnick, of Austin, Texas, said. “He was very lethargic and threw up constantly the next morning after we got him.”
Russell, pictured in the days after he was bought in January 2019 on the left; and more recently on the right. The young pup tested positive for parvovirus and needed several days of treatment at home.
@booplethesnoot / TikTok
A subsequent trip to the vets confirmed that Russell had parvovirus, a potentially fatal infection that spreads among dogs, attacking white blood cells and the gastrointestinal tract. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says that the signs usually include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, and a fever or low body temperature.
Depending on the severity of the infection, treatment may be required to correct the dog’s dehydration and physiological imbalances, to alleviate pain, provide nutritional support, and to keep the animal warm. Without prompt and intensive treatment, the AVMA notes that dogs have a lower chance of survival.
Hospitalizing Russell was going to cost thousands of dollars, so Susnick requested to do his care herself at home. Besides, she had already spent almost $400 on the consultations, parvo testing, and the equipment to help him recover at home.
In the days that followed, she had to keep him wrapped up in blankets to maintain his body temperature, as well as injecting him in the back to keep him hydrated. She said that she felt scared to sleep as she feared that he wouldn’t wake up.
Susnick told Newsweek: “Parvovirus is deadly, and dogs usually die of dehydration because they’re unable to eat or drink. Russell wasn’t able to eat or drink for three full days, other than the fluids we were injecting into his back.
“They said he was on the mend on the fourth day, but he wasn’t able to go outside until around 4 months old.”
Warning Against Buying Online
Thankfully, Russell pulled through and is doing really well all these years later. However, Susnick said that she does believe that his health battle as a puppy has stunted his growth, as he was estimated to reach up to 70 pounds, but he has hit only 55 pounds. “He also has had numerous vet visits for his sensitive stomach,” she added.
While Susnick has a happy and (mostly) healthy dog now, it hasn’t been an easy journey and she was left with hundreds of dollars’ worth of vet bills to show for it. She shared her experience online to show people that getting a dog on the internet is certainly not without risk.
Susnick posted a video on social media (@booplethesnoot on TikTok and Instagram) showing people “what it’s really like to get a $300 puppy on Craigslist.” The video went viral with over 7.8 million views and more than 100,00 likes on Instagram, and 3.2 million views on TikTok.
“We share our video and experience as a warning sign to others, not to promote getting a dog online,” Susnick continued. “I would urge anyone out there to look into adoption in-person first. No matter where you get your dog, please take them to the vet immediately for a checkup and possible virus testing.”
Ahead of his 6th birthday next month, Russell is now “rambunctious and healthy,” according to his owner, who can’t get enough of his daily antics and lovable nature. But Susnick would hate for other people to go through the roller coaster of emotions they went through in 2019.
After generating so much attention online with this video, Susnick couldn’t be happier that she is making people are of the risks that online adoptions pose and educating them on the signs of parvovirus.
The Instagram post has amassed over 3,000 comments so far, as many people thanked her for sharing her story and for saving Russell’s life.
One comment reads: “That’s why you need to do your research and only buy from ethical breeders instead of a random litter on Craigslist.”
Another Instagram user wrote: “This is why we should support shelters and not people trying to make a quick buck!”
A third added: “More people need to hear this. Please stop shopping for animals from people on social media. Go to a rescue or shelter where you find out the history of care.”
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
