The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly -
Buyer Beware When Choosing A New Puppy!

“Acquiring a dog may be the only time a person gets to choose a relative.” –Unknown

No one loves dogs more than I do and it’s for this reason that I beg you to spend 10 minutes with The Humane Society Humane Society of the United States and learn how to protect yourself from the needless heartache of owning a puppy mill puppy.  Many people think they’ve done their research, they think they’ve found a reputable breeder or a good pet store.  How can you know for sure?  How can you educate yourself before you put your heart on the line?

Thanks to the HSUS and their brief, yet concise articles, it’s much easier than you might think.

Buying a Puppy
Questions to ask yourself, and how to prepare for a new pup
“If you’ve decided you’re ready for a dog, follow The HSUS’ top five puppy buying tips and you’ll be far more likely to secure a healthy, well-socialized dog who doesn’t drain your emotions or your pocketbook. One, in other words, who doesn’t come from a puppy mill.”

Adopting From an Animal Shelter or Rescue Group
“Animal shelters have a great selection of adult animals for adoption, and many of them also have kittens, puppies and purebred animals. On average, purebreds account for about 25 to 30 percent of a shelter’s dog population.”

How to Find a Good Dog Breeder
If you’ve checked shelters and rescue groups and still haven’t found “The One,” here’s what to do…

Pet Store Doublespeak
What pet store staff might tell you and what it really means
“Truly responsible breeders do not sell their puppies to pet stores, they want to meet their puppy buyers in person and do not sell their puppies to the first person who shows up with cash in hand. Most breed club’s Code of Ethics state that their breeders refuse to sell their dogs to pet dealers or any other commercial sources of distribution.”

What You Can Do to Stop Puppy Mills
Help stop the cycle of cruelty
“You can make a difference for the dogs suffering in puppy mills. Here are ways you can take action.”

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