In this article I will describe the different possibilities that you have if you are looking for a new pet. Most people think about pet stores or breeders first but they are many other choices. I will talk about each one, what to look for, what you should consider and what you should not do.
To add a new four legged friend to your family means a lot of responsibility and commitment for the next 10-20 years. Don�t rush into it, take your time and look around.
Everything you should know about:
Rescue GroupsI would highly recommend looking into a rescue group first and I will explain you why. Every rescue group works a little bit different and got different guidelines. Most rescue groups take in animals from over flown shelters. You save a life if you take an animal from them. Usually the animals live in foster families. The animals are not up for adoption right away but the families work very hard to socialize them and in some cases gain the animals trust back.
The rescue group should be able to tell you which animal is more energetic and which one is a coach potato. They know which one prefers to live as a single pet while others enjoy company. Some foster families have children and others have multiple pet. This way it is easy to find a dog that gets along with cats for example.
Most rescue groups also take the animals back. Are you looking for a second pet? Rescue groups can help you with bonding. They are there to answer your questions and offer their help if you run into problems.
The adoption process is a little bit longer as the other choices. But don�t be discouraged. The goal is to find the right match for you and your new furry buddy. Maybe the dog that you fall in love at first sight wouldn�t match you living situation as well as another dog would that you haven�t really looked at.
Usually you fill out an application first, be truthful. It�s not doing any good to make something up and have problems later. After the application you usually get a phone interview and probably a house visit. Some people don�t feel very comfortable with the last one. Don�t be afraid, it�s not about looking if your house is perfect clean but to help you. Maybe they see that your fence needs some repairing which you haven�t seen and things like that.
Don�t be discouraged if you get denied. First think about the explanation, are they maybe right? Is there something you should change or reconsider? If you don�t agree, check out another rescue group, get a different opinion.
The animals from rescue groups should have all their shots up to date and should have a health check. They also spayed or neutered or ready to go under this procedure.
Some people don�t like going into a shelter to get an animal. They think there must be something wrong with the animal; they don�t know where the animal came from and so on. Just a few words about that: Usually the animals are tested if they are adoptable or not. There can be different reasons why an animal ended up in a shelter. It can be that the people weren�t aware of the time commitment or had the wrong expectations. Especially a few weeks after Christmas or Easter the shelters get a lot of new animals. Sometimes it turns out people have allergies. In some cases the owner died and nobody can take care of the animal. In other cases the owners got so sick that they can�t take care longer of their animals. Other reasons could be financial trouble, divorces and so on.
Talk to the staff, they should know the story behind the animal. Some shelters have paper hanging at the kennels with the reason on it.
The procedure to get an animal from the shelter is not very complicated. At most shelters you fill out a questionnaire. It depends at the shelter and sometimes it depends at the type of animal you want to adopt. For example if you want to adopt a dog compare to a rabbit, the procedure can be different.
At some shelters you can take the animal home the same day and at other shelters you have to come back for a short interview. I like the second way better; it gives people time to think about their decision and not to rush into it. Home visits are usually not made by shelters at least not in the USA. They might be some exceptions but most shelters don�t have the time or resources to do it.
A lot of shelters also have puppies from time to time or an extra puppy section. You can also find pure breed dogs at shelters. If you don�t find or see an animal you like don�t be discouraged. Just come back or tell the staff what you are looking for. A lot of shelters will take a note and call you back.When I have volunteered at a shelter in a bigger city I was told that they receive 15 animals a day!!!.
The animals at a shelter are up to date with their shots and usually are spayed or neutered. And don�t forget you safe a life.
Another way to find an animal at a shelter or a rescue group would be to apply as a volunteer. Rescue groups are always looking for a foster home. Find out about the guidelines if you want to adopt as a foster home. As a volunteer in a shelter you can visit and come close up to the animals as much as you like. Plus the animals are so happy for all the affection they can get from you. You see it will make you happy too.
They are two different types of pet stores. Some pet stores work together with rescue groups or shelters. Instead of selling animals from breeders they have animals from shelters or rescue groups. They come in at certain times to show and educate the public about their rescue animals. Look at a blackboard or ask the store when and what rescue groups are coming. The procedure about adopting depends on the rescue group and shelter. It�s usually the same as if you would go directly to them.
At other pet stores you will find pets from breeders. I wouldn�t recommend it. A lot of times the animals came from puppy mills. Puppy mills are breeding facilities where the animals are kept under bad conditions. The animals are only seen as breeding �machines�. It�s just important to produce as much animals as possible with little costs as possible. In some states puppy mills are illegal. Sometimes pet stores just receive animals from other states where puppy mills are legal. Ask the pet store where their animals exactly came from. If they can�t or won�t tell you, that�s not a good sign. A lot of times those puppies are in a bad condition or have hidden health problems.
Does the store have a big window with animals for tempting shoppers into buying one? Do they have �specials� around Christmas and Easter? Are they trying to sell you an animal at all costs without any education? Those are all reason not to buy anything from this store.
If you see that the animals are not good cared for (for example sick animals, dirty cages and so on) call Animal Control or get in contact with the Mayors Action Center at your place. Don�t buy an animal. As long as people are buying animals as long they will sell them. This animal you bought will just replaced by another one and the circle continues.
If you choose to go to a breeder, please be careful. Do your �homework� first. Don�t go to somebody that just breeds with a neighbors or friends animal just to make a little bit of extra money. Breeding is not that simple. A responsible breeder tries to make the breed better and wants to reduce common health issues. This can only be done with lots of research. The breeder got to know exactly the parents, grandparents and great-grandparents of the dogs to have as little health issues as possible. This will defiantly cost more money but don�t support bad breeders just to save some money. The animals should be kept in nice and clean conditions. The animal shouldn�t be given away too early. Dogs for example should stay with their mother for at least 12 weeks. Also ask how often they are breeding, most responsible breeders only breed once every year or two and usually they are having waiting lists. The breeder should also be able to tell you the good and the bad sides about their breed. If somebody tells you everything is great it is better to look around somewhere else.
If you see an advertisement from a breeder see the section before. Sometimes people put an advertisement in the newspaper instead of bringing the animal to the shelter. The only advice I can give is to call the people, hear their story and see how you feel about it. Don�t fall for somebody that wants to sell animals as accidents but keeps on breeding. Don�t get me wrong it is important that people ask for some kind of money to prevent impulsive or bad people to get their animals.
If you like you can also check blackboards for private advertisement at pet stores, supermarkets and at vets� offices.
In some states it is allowed to have animals as prizes. I have seen this with rabbits before. Please don�t support it, just walk away.