Puppy Buying Tips

Are you looking to get a new puppy? Here are some tips for finding a great new friend!

The first step on the road to pet ownership is to ask yourself some tough questions:
-Why do you want a puppy?
-Can you afford one?
-Are you prepared to take care of a dog every day for his entire life?

If you can answer yes to these questions here are some great tips to finding the perfect puppy or adult dog.

1. Consider adoption. Adopting a dog instead of buying one is the surest way to strike a blow against puppy mills. To find the perfect match, you'll want to choose the right one for you and your lifestyle. Animal shelters have dozens of dogs, many of them purebreds, just waiting for homes. There are also breed specific rescue groups for every breed of dog, including "designer" or "hybrids" like Labradoodles and Puggles. Mixed-breed dogs also make wonderful pets. If you are looking for a certain breed, try www.petfinder.com. You are able to search for dogs that are available for adoption by age, gender, breed, size, and by your zip code.

2. Find a responsible breeder and visit their premises. Responsible breeders provide a loving and healthy environment for their canine companions, but don't take their word for it. Never buy a puppy without seeing where they and their parents are raised and housed with your own eyes.

3. Don't be fooled by common claims made by pet stores when pushing their puppies. Despite what they may tell you, pet stores do sell puppy mill puppies. No responsible breeder would sell their puppy to a pet store. Note: some human societies will have their animals at a local pet store, if you are unsure if they are puppy mill puppies or animals for adoption, call your local human society and ask.

4. Don't be swayed by a great website or ad. Just because a website says great things about their "home raised" or "family raised" puppies doesn’t make it true. Many puppy millers pose as small family breeders online and in newspaper and magazine ads.

5. Avoid the temptation to "rescue" a puppy mill puppy by buying him. Even though your intentions may be good, don't buy a puppy with the idea that you are "rescuing" him or her. Your "rescue" opens up space for another poor puppy mill puppy and puts money into the pockets of the puppy mill. Pet stores won't leave their cages empty and websites won't leave their pages blank. The money you spend on your puppy goes right back to the puppy mill operator and ensures they can continue breeding and treating dogs inhumanely. If you see someone keeping puppies in poor conditions, alert your local animal control authorities instead of buying.

With information from www.stoppuppymills.org