Quote Originally Posted by emiebeth View Post
I would discuss with the seller about being able to post-date the check for your security. Put the date for, say...two weeks from now, or some length of time that would be appropriate for you to receive your animal. If the animal isn't shipped to you by the time it should be (which should be a few days BEFORE he would be able to cash the check), or it's in bad condition, then you have time to put a stop order on the check before he would be able to cash it.
Post dating a check doesn't stop the person from cashing it. Banking laws designed to stop check kiting and funds floating no longer require banks to reject funds based on issue date of checks. By writing the check and signing your signature you are certifying that the funds are released to the payee for negotiation the instant you issue it.

Putting the date for two weeks from now will do nothing to stop them from cashing it.