| A pet is a
lifetime commitment and there is a lot to consider BEFORE you buy or adopt.
Your pet will need, and is entitled to, your care, time, patience, love, and
financial commitment. DON'T BE IMPULSIVE!
Our friends
Kelly and Bentley, a former puppy mill dog, have written a very good article on
things to consider Before You Buy or Adopt.
They pose questions from "How big will the pet be" to "Do you
understand all of the costs involved in keeping this pet?" Our
Guide to Finding Your Perfect Pet offers more
resources and suggestions for "doing your homework" before bringing
that pet home.Though these and the other articles in this section are geared
toward canines, there are also many considerations that apply to cats, birds,
lizards, or any other type of pet.
Please check
shelters and rescues for your new best friend first. Many wonderful animals are
being surrendered every day. However, we know that the age, breed, or type of
pet you are looking for cannot always be found at a shelter. Our articles on
Identifying a Quality Breeder,
Red Flags: Disreputable Breeders, and
What Does Breed Registration Really Mean? will help
guide you in purchasing a healthy, happy, well-adjusted pet. You might also be
interested in reading what responsible breeders have to say about puppy mills
in our Breeders With Pride: Responsible
Breeders Speak Out section.
As part of
their role in enforcing Wisconsin's new Dog Breeders and Sellers Law, the
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection also offers
some very good resources, such as
Information for Consumers,
DATCP: Shopping for a Puppy, and
Essential Questions to Ask Before Buying a Dog or Puppy
(pdf) (as well as the
WI Licensed Dog Sellers Listing).
Finally, if you find yourself in a
situation where you must rehome your pet, PLEASE read our article on why you
should NEVER give an anaimal away Free To Good Home?.
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