
Adding a new dog or cat to the family is an exciting and wonderful time.  So many decisions to make — breed, size, temperament, puppy/kitten or adult, indoor or outdoor, shedding vs non-shedding, allergy considerations, grooming maintenance requirements, home training or professional training, pet insurance, pet food or nutritionally balanced home cooked meals, and of course, to purchase from a reputable breeder or adopt.  I understand that finding your perfect pet may lead you to purchasing but I would encourage you to consider adoption. Â
Many people do not realize that of the six to eight million pets that end up in shelters every year, 25 percent of them are purebreds. Â If you know you want a purebred then you most likely know there is often a significant cost when buying from a reputable breeder. Â For example, a champion show line standard poodle can be between $2,000 and $3,000. Â Adopting through a shelter or breed-specific rescue will save you a considerable amount of money. Â Plus, the adoption fee (typically less than $300) should cover vaccinations, spay/neuter, dewormings, microchip, and veterinary visits up to the date of adoption. Â
Many of these pets have been loved, trained, and housebroken and found their way to shelters and rescues through no fault of their own; two of the top reasons being landlord issues and moving. Â With so many great, family-ready pets available for adoption why would you not consider bringing one into your family? Â
If you decide adoption is right for you, the three main sources for adopting are the county shelters, county Humane Society, and private rescue groups (some of which are breed-specific). Â Most of these groups will use petfinder.com to list pets available in addition to their own websites. Â Searching online is a great way to be introduced to what pets are available and to learn a little more about each one. Â When you think you found a few that may be a good fit for your home, you can contact the group(s) to set up a meeting. Â Please note that not all the organizations have a facility where they house the pets, many use a network of fosters, so often times you will be meeting with the fosters or organization representative. Â Once you find your perfect pet, the adoption process is fairly simple, and depending on the source may offer same-day adoptions or require a more lengthy application and interview process. Â