Puppies.com requires that buyers and sellers have communicated through our Message Center before the purchase date in order for the buyer to leave a testimonial. Here's how it works.
Why is Message Center communication required to leave a review?
This requirement helps ensure testimonials come from buyers who had a genuine connection with the seller before purchasing. It also gives sellers a fair, consistent standard for which reviews can be posted on their listings.
What counts as qualifying communication?
You must have sent a message to the seller through the Puppies.com Message Center about a dog listed on the site and received a reply from the seller, with both messages occurring before your purchase date or before you sent a deposit or down payment, whichever came first. A single back-and-forth exchange is sufficient.
The seller never replied to my message — can I still leave a testimonial?
No. The eligibility requirement is that the seller responded to your message through the Message Center before the purchase or deposit. If the seller didn't reply on-platform, the requirement isn't met.
I talked to the seller by phone, text, or email — does that count?
No. Only messages sent through the Puppies.com Message Center qualify. Conversations on other platforms don't meet the eligibility requirement.
What if I messaged the seller only after I picked up my puppy?
Post-purchase messages don't qualify. The requirement applies to a message-and-reply exchange that took place before the purchase date — or before any deposit or down payment was sent to the seller, whichever came first.
How is the purchase date determined?
The purchase date is the date recorded by the seller for your transaction. Always get a receipt or other written documentation of the purchase. For more tips on making your transaction safe, review our Buyer Tips.
How long do I have a leave a testimonial?
Buyers can leave a testimonial for a seller for up to a year following the purchase date.
I meet the requirements but can't leave a testimonial — what should I do?
Contact our support team and we'll take a look. Occasionally there are technical issues or record mismatches we can sort out.
Do sellers know about this requirement?
Yes. Sellers are aware that buyers must communicate through the Message Center before purchase to be eligible to leave a testimonial. We encourage sellers to keep conversations with prospective buyers on Puppies.com.
What else do I need to know?
This policy took effect on April 30, 2026. Testimonials left before that time do not require this communication qualification. Testimonials must also comply with our Community Standards and Terms of Service.
Still Have Questions? If so, our Support Team is here to help! Please don’t hesitate to contact us through our Contact Page (or email us directly at [email protected]) and we’ll be happy to assist.