ALL ABOUT DOGS and CATS Resource Center for Canine & Feline Lovers
Acquiring A New Dog
Purebred rescue groups are
usually run by people with
in-depth knowledge of a specific
breed. Rescue groups keep
adoptable animals until they can
be placed in loving, permanent
homes. These animals may come
from failed breeding operations;
arrive from boarding kennels and
veterinarians, where they were
abandoned; be rescued as strays
living on the streets; or be
obtained through the cooperation
of local animal shelters. Adoption
fees vary, depending on veterinary
and other costs that have been
incurred. Follow-up counseling is
usually available.
When you contact a breed rescue
group, be sure to find out as much
as you can about the group, how
it cares for its animals, how it
decides which animals are
adoptable, and what other
adoption and post-adoption
services are available
usually run by people with
in-depth knowledge of a specific
breed. Rescue groups keep
adoptable animals until they can
be placed in loving, permanent
homes. These animals may come
from failed breeding operations;
arrive from boarding kennels and
veterinarians, where they were
abandoned; be rescued as strays
living on the streets; or be
obtained through the cooperation
of local animal shelters. Adoption
fees vary, depending on veterinary
and other costs that have been
incurred. Follow-up counseling is
usually available.
When you contact a breed rescue
group, be sure to find out as much
as you can about the group, how
it cares for its animals, how it
decides which animals are
adoptable, and what other
adoption and post-adoption
services are available
|
The decision to acquire a dog should not be an impulsive action. Shelters and
Rescue groups are overflowing with dogs which were bought for the wrong
reasons. Dogs are living creatures whose needs are the same as your own: food,
shelter, love, and family. Most of the dogs bought on impulse or given as surprise
gifts are dying by the thousands every day in shelters across North America.
Educate yourself on the breed you have chosen. Visit the specific dog breed clubs
online, read books, go to dog shows and talk to breeders, talk to pet owners, talk
to people doing breed rescue. Join an on-line discussion group for that breed.
Meet as many dogs, pet and show alike, of this breed as possible. If you are
looking at a mixed breed, educate yourself about the breeds it came from. Do not
choose a high energy dog if you are a couch potato, and vice versa.
Make sure your chosen breed will fit in with your family and lifestyle. A dog is a
10-20 year commitment, and you should be no less committed to your dog than
to children. Both are dependent upon you for food, shelter and a loving
environment.
Are you prepared for all contingencies? How do you feel about dog hair over
everything during shedding season? What is your tolerance level for muddy paw
prints all over the house when it rains? Are you prepared to brush, shampoo, cut
toenails, or to pay for those services? What about veterinary bills?
What will you do if you move? Giving away your furry companion is akin to giving
away your child because it is no longer convenient.
Research and careful planning cannot be emphasized enough. If you think ahead
and make contingency plans, you can save yourself and the dog the heartbreak of
going to a shelter or rescue group.
WHERE Should you look for a dog?
The best place to acquire a puppy or adult dog is from an ethical breeder, rescue
or animal shelter. Do not buy your future companion from a local pet store,
newspaper or internet classified ad.
Puppies in pet stores come from big “puppy mills”. The puppies in pet stores are
taken from their mothers too early, shipped across country at a very young and
impressionable age, kept in little cages, and when they grow older, have
physical, emotional and mental trauma from such a poor start in life.
No reputable breeder will send puppies to a pet store to be sold. Most
responsible breeders will require you to "qualify" before allowing you to adopt a
pup.
If you have your heart set on a purebred puppy, make sure you do your
homework and check the breeder out thoroughly. (Read the Guidelines for
choosing a reputable breeder )
Rescue groups make every effort to ensure their dogs are healthy and free from
defects and that they have a good temperament. If they have a health problem
the potential owner will be told right up front. Adoption applications are usually
required, as are personal interviews and references.
Most breed rescue groups require the potential owner to fill out an adoption
application, and sign a contract. They will discuss lifestyle, work hours, children,
other pets, living situation all in an effort to match the right dog to the right
owner. Many require that references are checked and a home visit completed prior
to introducing the prospective owner to the available dogs.
Animal shelters house stray dogs and cats for a mandated period of time so they
can be claimed by their owners. If unclaimed they are put up for adoption.
Unfortunately, so many people misuse shelters as a dumping place for unwanted
animals that they are overwhelmed and many dogs and cats are euthanized
because of lack of space to keep them.
Like rescue groups, most shelters require an adoption application and spaying or
neutering within a specified period of time.
For more information and guidelines on
acquiring a new dog see:
Acquiring a New Dog or Puppy
Download the PDF file
How To Find A Good Breeder
Rescue groups are overflowing with dogs which were bought for the wrong
reasons. Dogs are living creatures whose needs are the same as your own: food,
shelter, love, and family. Most of the dogs bought on impulse or given as surprise
gifts are dying by the thousands every day in shelters across North America.
Educate yourself on the breed you have chosen. Visit the specific dog breed clubs
online, read books, go to dog shows and talk to breeders, talk to pet owners, talk
to people doing breed rescue. Join an on-line discussion group for that breed.
Meet as many dogs, pet and show alike, of this breed as possible. If you are
looking at a mixed breed, educate yourself about the breeds it came from. Do not
choose a high energy dog if you are a couch potato, and vice versa.
Make sure your chosen breed will fit in with your family and lifestyle. A dog is a
10-20 year commitment, and you should be no less committed to your dog than
to children. Both are dependent upon you for food, shelter and a loving
environment.
Are you prepared for all contingencies? How do you feel about dog hair over
everything during shedding season? What is your tolerance level for muddy paw
prints all over the house when it rains? Are you prepared to brush, shampoo, cut
toenails, or to pay for those services? What about veterinary bills?
What will you do if you move? Giving away your furry companion is akin to giving
away your child because it is no longer convenient.
Research and careful planning cannot be emphasized enough. If you think ahead
and make contingency plans, you can save yourself and the dog the heartbreak of
going to a shelter or rescue group.
WHERE Should you look for a dog?
The best place to acquire a puppy or adult dog is from an ethical breeder, rescue
or animal shelter. Do not buy your future companion from a local pet store,
newspaper or internet classified ad.
Puppies in pet stores come from big “puppy mills”. The puppies in pet stores are
taken from their mothers too early, shipped across country at a very young and
impressionable age, kept in little cages, and when they grow older, have
physical, emotional and mental trauma from such a poor start in life.
No reputable breeder will send puppies to a pet store to be sold. Most
responsible breeders will require you to "qualify" before allowing you to adopt a
pup.
If you have your heart set on a purebred puppy, make sure you do your
homework and check the breeder out thoroughly. (Read the Guidelines for
choosing a reputable breeder )
Rescue groups make every effort to ensure their dogs are healthy and free from
defects and that they have a good temperament. If they have a health problem
the potential owner will be told right up front. Adoption applications are usually
required, as are personal interviews and references.
Most breed rescue groups require the potential owner to fill out an adoption
application, and sign a contract. They will discuss lifestyle, work hours, children,
other pets, living situation all in an effort to match the right dog to the right
owner. Many require that references are checked and a home visit completed prior
to introducing the prospective owner to the available dogs.
Animal shelters house stray dogs and cats for a mandated period of time so they
can be claimed by their owners. If unclaimed they are put up for adoption.
Unfortunately, so many people misuse shelters as a dumping place for unwanted
animals that they are overwhelmed and many dogs and cats are euthanized
because of lack of space to keep them.
Like rescue groups, most shelters require an adoption application and spaying or
neutering within a specified period of time.
For more information and guidelines on
acquiring a new dog see:
Acquiring a New Dog or Puppy
Download the PDF file
How To Find A Good Breeder
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RESCUE
Dog Breed Rescue
Puppy Mills
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ALL ABOUT DOGS
History of The Dog
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Special Dogs
Canine Behavior
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Acquiring A New Dog
Responsible Ownership
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History of The Cat
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Acquiring A New Cat
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Pet Insurance
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Airline Pet Regulations
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(Book Store)
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Pet Safe Home Products
Pet Supplies
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Pet Toys
Pet Fashions & Clothing
Pet Themed Products
Doggie Diggs
Kitty Korner
PET GALLERY
PET RESOURCES
About Us/ Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Dog Breed Rescue
Puppy Mills
Pet Rescue
Purebred Cat Rescue
ALL ABOUT DOGS
History of The Dog
Dog Breeds
Breed Specific Clubs
Breed Specific Articles
Kennel Clubs
Dog Shows
Special Dogs
Canine Behavior
Agility & Flyball
Acquiring A New Dog
Responsible Ownership
ALL ABOUT CATS
History of The Cat
Cat Breeds
Cat Registries
Cat Shows
Feline Behavior
Acquiring A New Cat
PET CARE & HEALTH
Health Articles
Diet & Nutrition Articles
Poison Control
Care/Grooming Articles
Pet Behaviour Articles
Pet Insurance
TRAVELING with PETS
PET FRIENDLY TRAVEL
Airline Pet Regulations
SHOPPING
Natural Nutrition
Fur Fins & Feathers
(Book Store)
The Pet Boutique
Pet Grooming Products
Pet Safe Home Products
Pet Supplies
Agility Equipment
Pet Travel Goods
Pet Furniture
Pet Toys
Pet Fashions & Clothing
Pet Themed Products
Doggie Diggs
Kitty Korner
PET GALLERY
PET RESOURCES
About Us/ Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
