| When it comes to adopting pets, there are many | | | | guidance for adoptive families. |
| options. People have different reasons for | | | | When you purchase a purebred from a rescue |
| adopting a pet, and often this reason influences | | | | group, you can feel good about having saved an |
| where they look for their new friend. For some | | | | animal from living a life without a loving family. |
| people, whether the animal is a purebred or not is | | | | You can find local rescue groups in your area |
| important, so they will pursue breeders. Others | | | | through the newspaper classified section. A great |
| are interested in saving an animal from the fate | | | | resource for rescuing purebred dogs is to search |
| of a life without a loving family. These people will | | | | through the contact list at the American Kennel |
| typically search animal rescue organizations or | | | | Club. Another great resource for both cats and |
| animal shelters. Both purebred and mixed breed | | | | dogs is AllAboutDogsandCats.com, which provides |
| animals can be found at these organizations, as | | | | a list of hundreds of national breed rescue clubs |
| well as older animals and animals that need special | | | | and organizations. |
| care. This guide will help you explore your options | | | | Animal Shelters |
| when considering the adoption of a new family | | | | An animal shelter is the best source where you |
| pet. | | | | can find a family pet. Family shelters are home to |
| Choosing a Breeder | | | | many wonderful animals who mostly are only |
| You’ve decided that it’s time for your | | | | there because of the humans who previously |
| family to have a brand new pet. Everyone is | | | | owned them, not for any fault of their own. |
| ready to play with it, feed it, clean it, and care for | | | | Often life changes, unrealistic expectations, or |
| it every day. You know that you want a | | | | other reasons force families to give up their |
| purebred, and you’ve researched the genetic | | | | animals to animal shelters. Half of these animals |
| and behavioral disposition of every breed, and you | | | | end up euthanized because there simply isn’t |
| know the breed that’s best for your family | | | | enough space. This is why, obtaining your family |
| and your lifestyle. The final step is to find a good | | | | pet from an animal shelter is the greatest thing |
| breeder. | | | | you can do, and it is something you can feel very |
| First, avoid pet stores. It is a known fact that | | | | good about. |
| most pets that are offered in pet stores come | | | | It is a common misconception that the animals at |
| from mass breeding facilities more commonly | | | | animal shelters are all mixed-breeds, poorly |
| known as “puppy farms” or “pet | | | | behaved, or poorly kept. While this may hold true |
| farms.” This is not a business practice that | | | | for a minority of them, many of the animals |
| you want to support. It’s best to do the | | | | found at shelters around the country are actually |
| ethical thing and avoid them at all cost. | | | | purebreds, nicely kept, and very well behaved. |
| There are several methods you can use to | | | | Many shelters even offer adoption counseling, |
| evaluate breeders. Initially, obtain a list of referrals | | | | training classes, and even discounted or free |
| of reputable breeders from your veterinarian or | | | | neutering. Some great resources to locate animal |
| local dog shows. Always visit where the breeder | | | | shelters around the country include Pets 911, |
| raises the dogs or cats, and bring the following | | | | 1-800-Save-A-Pet, or Petfinder. Another good |
| checklist in order to determine whether the | | | | resource is the classified section of your local |
| breeder is a good one. | | | | newspaper, or the yellow pages under “Animal |
| Does the breeder: | | | | Shelters”. |
| - Raise the animals in a home, as part of a | | | | A Pet Portrait of Your New Pet |
| family? | | | | Once you discover that special pet that will |
| - Have animals that appear healthy and excited | | | | become your friend for life, there is no better |
| when visitors arrive? | | | | way to celebrate than to commemorate the |
| - Maintains a clean area where the animals are | | | | beauty and overwhelming “cuteness” of |
| raised? | | | | your new family friend with a painted pet portrait. |
| - Shows you the animals parents when you visit? | | | | Pet portraits are sweeping the country as a very |
| - Knowledgeable about the breed? | | | | popular form of recognizing how much your |
| - Can produce records of veterinary visits for the | | | | animal friend means to you and your family. Pet |
| animals? | | | | portraits can be especially meaningful because |
| - Provides references? | | | | when you see a pet portrait on the wall, it is a |
| - Offers guidance for caring for your new pet and | | | | statement that this animal isn’t just |
| for the particular breed? | | | | “another animal”, but it shows that your |
| | | | | pet is a loved and cherished member of the |
| Purebred Rescue | | | | family. |
| An even better option than buying a new animal | | | | The best pet portraits in the country are created |
| from a breeder, is to invest in saving a purebred | | | | by artist Nikky Hughes of Los Angeles. Nikky was |
| living at a purebred rescue group. Purebred | | | | classically trained at the Mission Renaissance art |
| breeding groups are wonderful organizations that | | | | school, and she focuses on capturing not only the |
| accept purebred animals that are typically | | | | beauty, but the unique character of each animal. |
| abandoned, found as strays, or from local animal | | | | Her artwork is soft and romantic, and a portrait |
| shelters. Purebred rescue organizations typically | | | | of your pet by Nikky will become a family |
| have a great deal of knowledge about the breed | | | | heirloom for many generations. |
| they work with, and usually offer a great deal of | | | | |