| The first thing anyone who wants to add a pet to | | | | know about any animal in its care. A reputable |
| the family should do before actually going out and | | | | rescue tells you the truth. It doesn't tell you that |
| getting one is to think it through. Start with some | | | | a seven-year-old dog is three or four, or that a |
| basic questions: | | | | cat with a visible skin problem just needs a bath. |
| -What kind of pet do you want? Dog? Cat? | | | | A reputable rescue is one where the staff truly |
| Hamster? Gerbil? | | | | cares about helping you find the right animal, not |
| -What do you want a pet for? Companionship? | | | | just about getting the animal out the door. |
| Exercise? Work? To stop the kids from nagging | | | | Again, do your research. There are generally two |
| you? | | | | kinds of rescue organizations, the kill and the |
| -What is most important to you about this pet? | | | | no-kill. The kill organizations tend to be regional |
| Breed? Temperament? Size? Intelligence? Health? | | | | humane societies or other high-volume shelters, |
| Color? | | | | and the no-kill organizations tend to be smaller, |
| -Pedigree? Length of hair? | | | | private shelters, although there are some of both. |
| -How much money can you afford/are you willing | | | | (You'll notice I didn't mention Craigslist as an option |
| to spend for your new pet? | | | | for finding your new pet. The very fact that I |
| When it comes to the usual suspects - dogs and | | | | didn't mention it should tell you everything you |
| cats, there are generally three places a | | | | need to know about the advisability of getting |
| responsible pet seeker can get a pet - from a | | | | your new pet there.) |
| breeder, from a pet store, or from a rescue | | | | If you've got your heart set on a particular breed |
| organization. In other words, you can buy it or | | | | of animal - and there's no way to emphasize this |
| you can adopt it. | | | | enough - do your homework. Get references, |
| If you just have to have a specific breed of dog | | | | from veterinarians, from previous customers, |
| or cat, you go to a breeder, where you are | | | | from anyone else you can find who would have |
| supposed to be able to find out everything about | | | | information about a particular breeder. Go visit as |
| the animal's history, including meeting mom and | | | | many customers as you can to see the animals |
| dad. There are reputable breeders and there are | | | | they purchased from the breeder. |
| other breeders. If you go to a breeder, and you | | | | If you don't care about breed, and just want to |
| can't get a health history on the animal, the | | | | rescue, chances are, there's a reputable rescue in |
| lineage, or meet the parents, it's probably what's | | | | your area. But you should also do the necessary |
| called a backyard breeder and, to be honest, | | | | research. Choose a rescue where the staff isn't |
| getting an animal there can be a crapshoot. A | | | | just about putting in hours, but really cares about |
| reputable breeder, on the other hand, is only too | | | | matching up the right family with the right pet. |
| happy to have you meet the parents and lay out | | | | Although it shouldn't be the sum total of your |
| the animal's whole story for you - its lineage, its | | | | decision, there's one more important issue: how |
| characteristics, its health history. And provide | | | | much money are you willing to invest in acquiring |
| references. | | | | your new pet? Purchasing a pet can be |
| A pet store is where breeders take animals they | | | | expensive; rescuing a pet is usually pretty |
| can't, for whatever reason, sell themselves. The | | | | reasonable. However, in both cases, there's a |
| litter can be inferior, or can't be properly | | | | general rule: if you can't afford to pay the fee, |
| documented, or just needs to be moved, and a | | | | you can't afford to take proper care of the |
| breeder is willing to take less money just to be rid | | | | animal. Figure out your finances. Factor in food, |
| of the animals. If you buy a pet from a pet store, | | | | toys, treats, routine medical care, unforeseen |
| you could be buying at your own risk. | | | | medical care, and other expenses that are bound |
| Rescue is my bailiwick, and just as there are | | | | to crop up over an average ten to fifteen-year |
| breeders and there are breeders, there are | | | | commitment. Know what you're getting into, |
| rescues and there are rescues. A reputable | | | | before you get into it. |
| rescue is one that takes the time to get to know | | | | In other words, there's a lot to think about when |
| and work with each animal that comes through | | | | determining where to get your new pet. And the |
| the door. A reputable rescue may not always be | | | | bottom line is: spend as much time and effort on |
| able to offer purebred animals for adoption, or to | | | | acquiring this new family member as you would if |
| provide papers, or even prior history, but it should | | | | you were preparing to have a child. Because, in |
| be able to tell you everything else you need to | | | | many ways, you are. |