Have you decided to get a new pet but aren’t sure where you should go to find your new four-legged friend? You have many options when searching for a pet, some better than others. Our Creature Comforts Veterinary Service team wants your pet search to be successful, and we explain the best places to find a new furry family member.

Pet shelters

Pet shelters are government-funded facilities that house homeless pets in kennels. Your local pet shelter is a great place to find a new four-legged friend, and, typically, adoption fees are reasonable, making this a more affordable option than purchasing a pet. In addition, the adoption fee usually covers initial vaccinations and spay and neuter costs. Other benefits to adopting your pet from a shelter include:

  • Saving lives — Every year millions of homeless cats and dogs are euthanized because they can’t find a forever home, and shelters have limited space and resources to care for all the cats and dogs they receive. Adopting a pet from a shelter saves the pet you adopt and opens up a space so the shelter can take in another pet. 
  • Knowing your pet’s temperament — Shelter employees spend time with the pets in their care, and they usually can tell you about their temperaments and personalities. For example, if you are looking for a quiet, loyal cat or a sociable, high-spirited dog, a shelter employee can point you in the right direction.
  • Having a great selection — Shelters usually have a wide variety of pets to choose from, including puppies, kittens, senior pets, and pets of all sizes.
  • Getting a healthy pet — Most shelter pets are mixed breeds, which tend to have fewer health problems than purebred pets.

Pet rescues

Pet rescues are also great resources for finding a new four-legged friend. They are nonprofit, volunteer led and supported organizations that don’t receive government funding. They typically use foster homes to house pets until a forever home is found. Since rescue volunteers house pets in their home, they often form strong bonds with the pet and are more selective about whom they allow to adopt the pet. This means you may have to answer a lot of questions and wait for approval before taking your pet home. In addition, the pet rescue’s adoption fee may be more expensive than the pet shelter because pet rescues don’t receive government funding to care for the pets they take in. 

Pet breed rescues

If you have your heart set on a particular breed, a pet breed rescue is a good place to look. Breed-specific rescue groups are dedicated volunteers who house, care for, and place purebreds in new, hopefully forever, homes. These groups work hand in hand with animal shelters. When a shelter receives a purebred pet, they contact a breed-specific rescue group in the area that can temporarily house the pet, freeing up space and resources for other pets. Breed-specific rescue groups also may take purebred pets who are considered less adoptable by the shelter because they are older or have special needs. These groups often ask detailed questions about your lifestyle and may require a home visit to ensure the environment is safe and healthy for a pet. The American Kennel Club Rescue Network currently has more than 450 breed-specific rescue groups located across the country.

Reputable pet breeder

If you opt to buy a purebred pet, ensure you find a reputable breeder who can help you choose the right pet, as well as help you make your new four-legged friend’s transition successful. Characteristics of a good pet breeder include:

  • Allows visitation — You should be allowed to visit and tour the breeder’s home to see how the pets are kept. The grounds should be clean and well maintained, and the pets should have access to adequate exercise areas. They also should not be confined to cages for long periods.
  • Lets you meet the parents — A reputable breeder should allow you to meet the parents, who should be friendly and well-socialized.
  • Has a waiting list — Good breeders may not have a litter readily available, because they allow their mothers to rest to avoid overbreeding. You may have to wait a year or more for your pet.
  • Knows the breed — A reputable breeder should be knowledgeable about the breed and be able to answer your questions about potential size, temperament, inherited health issues, and exercise requirements.
  • Socializes the pet — Socialization should start well before you bring your new pet home, and a good breeder will introduce puppies and kittens to new sights, sounds, and experiences to help them grow into well-adjusted and well-behaved adult pets.
  • Asks questions — A good breeder should ask you questions to ensure you are capable of appropriately caring for a new pet.
  • Provides support — A reputable breeder should allow you to contact them at any time to answer questions and receive support in caring for your new pet.
  • Provides appropriate documentation — A good breeder will ask you to sign a written contract with a guarantee of health, allowing time for a pre-purchase examination by a veterinarian, and they should provide the pet’s pedigree and registration papers made out in your name.
  • Requests first option — A reputable breeder will request that the pet be returned to them if you are unable to keep the pet.

Where not to get a new pet

Places to avoid when searching for a new pet include:

  • Pet stores — Most pet stores get the pets they sell from puppy or kitten mills that breed and treat pets inhumanely. By purchasing from a pet store, you put money in their pocket to continue these operations.
  • Online pet sites — Online pet sites are often not reputable and may sell pets bred by puppy or kitten mills.
  • Backyard breeders — Most backyard breeders aren’t knowledgeable about the breed or how to care for their pets, and your pet may not receive proper socialization or veterinary care.

Once you bring your new pet home, contact our Creature Comforts Veterinary Service team so we can meet your new furry family member and ensure they are as healthy as can be.