9 Tips to Find a Good Breeder, Shelter, or Rescue
Adding a pet to your family can be one of the best decisions of your life! Whether you adopt from a shelter, rescue, or breeder, it is crucial to take the necessary precautions to ensure the process goes smoothly. Unfortunately, there have been instances where people have been scammed online, so it is essential to be careful.
Finding a reputable breeder:
Don't fall in love online. While it may be tempting to put a deposit down on a puppy you've only seen online, communicate with the breeder in person and follow the other protocols listed in this blog. Avoid businesses that claim to do the work for you, providing you with a puppy of any breed in an allotted time. No reputable breeder would sell their puppy to a second party. These business-owned companies are often run by those whose only association with dogs is the dollar sign.
Transparency. A breeder should respond to your inquiry within a few days and be willing to answer all your questions. Developing a rapport with the breeder is crucial to building a solid relationship. If you don't receive a response or feel uncomfortable with the breeder, it's best to move on and find someone else.
Take a Virtual Tour or Go In-Person A reputable breeder will gladly give you an l tour of their breeding facility. Look for a clean, well-maintained space and mama dogs who feel safe and loved. Breeders should be confident and proud of their set-up. If they're uncomfortable with this request, it's a red flag.
Applications & paperwork. A good breeder will require an adoption application. Don't be afraid to ask questions. They should feel more like a friend than a business person.
Be upfront about fees and deposits. Putting a deposit down on a pet is common, but ask about fees and deposits upfront. Unexpected life events may occur, and knowing if the deposit is refundable is essential.
Health Certificates. Ask for certificates of clearing for any congenital or inherited defect common to you're a breed of interest. A reputable breeder should be able to provide this information.
Post-adoption support. A good breeder should offer support after you bring your new pet home. They should be willing to offer advice and respond to your questions after you bring the puppy home.
Fancy awards and pedigrees. While impressive, titles and awards may not always indicate that their puppies are the right temperament for your home. Meet both parents and note their personalities and energy levels to ensure your new pet will be a good fit for your lifestyle.
Be patient. Take your time finding the right breeder or adoption agency for you. Not all breeders or agencies are created equal, so choose one dedicated to their pets and supportive of you throughout the adoption process.
If you’re going down the rescue path, I commend you. I have three rescue dogs (Wahoo, Skedaddle, and Hootenanny) and six rescue cats with names too elaborate to mention. Below you’ll find tips to help guide you through the process.
The world of rescue organizations and shelters can be overwhelming, and there is a distinct difference between the two. Shelters are actual places that serve the broader community by housing lost, abandoned, or neglected pets and placing them in wanting homes. A rescue organization often pulls animals from shelters in various and even distant locations and focuses on finding them permanent homes.
While many people consider these individually run rescues honorable and the cost of adoption far less than a breeder, they still have to make money to support the welfare of their animals.
Finding a reputable shelter or rescue organization:
Do not fall in love with a picture. While many sites feature animals available for adoption, meeting and speaking to those in charge of the shelter or rescue is a must.
Transparency. If you find a dog on Petfinder or another site, see if there is a form to fill out and do that first. If you are still waiting to hear back within a few days, call them to ensure they got it and ask if you can talk to someone in charge of adoptions. When you connect, see if you can get their vibe. Do you feel comforted or offended? Conversations should be a volley of important questions and straightforward answers. If it’s taking too long or stressing you to the brink, please move on. The right dog or other pet is out there, I promise. Adoptions should be celebratory, not stressful!
Tour the facility. Tour the facility in person or via video call to ensure the housing areas are clean and comforting. What’s the vibe? Do you feel on edge or comfortable meeting and talking to the people in charge and nurturing the pets in their care? If you feel overwhelmed with an organization or the people who run it, it’s okay to move on.
Expect paperwork. A good rescue organization will require an adoption application and present a mindfully crafted contract should it be accepted. In turn, read through the contract to ensure you understand their policies too.
Consider fostering to adopt. Many rescue organizations offer a foster-to-adopt clause. This allows for both the pet and the people to agree on being a good match! As I like to say, “Every prince has his palace, and dog their home.” You never know if you’ll be their porthole or their destination!
Spay/neuter policy. Most rescues include a fee that provides for the spaying and neutering of their animals or do it before they go home. I consider this standard protocol.
Feel free to ask. Ask about anything that might concern you, such as the protocol should your new adoptee need medical attention or their return policy in the rare event an unforeseen situation occurs. No one goes into adoption thinking it will fail, but sometimes it doesn’t work out. What then?
Be diligent. While many rescue organizations are established mindfully, some operate from their home and are set up to diffuse taxes. Do your research and make sure you're working with a reputable organization and that they have the necessary licensing if your state requires it.
Be patient. Rescuing a pet can take time, so don't rush the process. Your initial goal is to find one or more facilities you feel comfortable working with, then wait for the right dog to come along. They always do!
With over 35 years of experience training, fostering, and now breeding Havanese, the new science of raising puppies fascinates me. Science now shows how stress can manifest in a puppy or dog’s behavior, which makes finding reputable professionals to help you along the journey so important. Take your time, do your research, and use the tips in this blog to find people to support you every step of the way!