Buying Your Pet The Right Way

Puppies with their lovable, cuddly faces and the sad, take-me-home eyes tear at your heart. You think nothing more than sparing the puppy and giving it a loving home. Are you sure you know where these lonely pets have come from? Are they products of puppy mills? Do not look at the puppy or dog first. Your heart will overrule your head.

Learn the facts before purchasing. Be sure your buy from a reputable breeder. Ask to see their license. While at the breeder ask for a tour of their breeding facility. Ask for the pedigree papers to be faxed or emailed to you. If the breeder will not comply, be prepared to look elsewhere.

Inquire about the testing of the puppy’s parents for diseases. Reputable breeders will have previously tested the parents. Do not assume a USDA-inspected breeder is of high quality. Most USDA breeders are required to provide food, water, and shelter and nothing more.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) suggests buying a pet from a store only when the store is sponsoring a dog adoption promotion. The American Kennel Club’s Rescue Groups offer purebred dogs for adoption after an assessment of the pet’s health. These Rescue Animals are results of an accidental loss, abandonment, owner’s poor health or death, or other circumstances.

Check with friends. Word of mouth advertising assures satisfaction with breeders. The research has already been done and if they are satisfied with the breeder, this will help you find that much desired dog in a shorter amount of time.