Where you get your pet is very important! Refer to this presentation before you buy! (This is part of a class I'm taking. So, please give me feedback - how do you think I can improve this?)

1. (Note that this specifically applies to buying pets in the United States. I don’t know about the exact circumstances
of buying a pet elsewhere. This shouldn’t be too inaccurate if you are from a similar developed country like Canada, the
UK, etc. though.)
Jamie Lotierzo jahmocha.tumblr.com

2. Why, you seem like someone who wants a dog! Youhave the time, money, room, and patience to be a terrific pet
parent! But, it looks like you’re missing something...
How ARE you going to get your dog, anyway?
I’m here to help!
Let’s get the most obvious option out of the way first:

3. Responsible breeders NEVER give their animals to a store! Even if the store says they are “bred”, many
irresponsible people call themselves “breeders”, as you will find out if you continue reading. The vast majority of dogs
in pet stores come from mills or “farms”, where they are bred for profit in unhealthy conditions and often develop
mental and physical problems. A store’s popularity or fancy website proves nothing about where their animals come
from, either.
This is a risk youDON’T want to take. It’s not a good idea to “save” the animals by buying them since that
gives people money for selling subpar pets, further encouraging the cycle of animal abuse.
(Find out more here: http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/puppy_mills/facts/pet_store_doublespeak.html.)
PET STORES ARE A
BIG NO-NO

4. This leaves you with two other popular ways to get your pet.
Which should you choose…?

5. About Adoption:
Adoptables are generally cheaper than bred pets, pricing from lower than
$100 to just under $400 in most shelters. Prices vary depending on the shelter and the condition of
the animal you want to adopt. The money you pay goes towards helping more animals. It’s like
charity! Also, adopting a pet gives the shelter room to house another animal – you’re helping two for
the price of one.
Not all adopted pets are abused or sick – many of their owners simply ran
out of space/time/money for them. So,
they don’t necessarily require extra work.
However, if you do have the right kind of patience to raise a
pet most people pass over, that would
be really saint-like of you!

6. “Rescues” place animals from all over in different foster homes until adoption, and
don’t usually have a single building you can visit to see the animals. Phone numbers usually lead to the foster parents
instead of an organization, too. “Shelters” are single places in
which youadopt your pet, with most of them housed within the
building. However, some of their animals may be in foster homes.
Shelter phone numbers also lead to an organization instead of an individual.
About Adoption:
No-kill shelters are able to keep this label because they are careful about which and how
many pets to take in – they might only take in pets that are “adoptable”, for example. Open-admission
shelters are more likely to take in any animal in need, whether or not they can be re-homed. Open-admission
shelters sometimes euthanize pets, but only when there is no hope left for one who’s sick, old, has extreme problems, etc.
They don’t kill willy-nilly!

7. GOOD shelters/rescue
• Make you meet the animal before you take them.
• Conduct temperament and medical tests on their animals.
• Will take back the animal if you realize youaren’t up to it.
• Spay/neuter/vaccinate/deworm their animals before
adoption, and keep vaccinations up-to-date.
• House animals in clean enclosures.
• Charge reasonable prices.
• Make you fill out an adoption form.

8. BAD shelters/rescues
• DON’T let you see their animals.
• DON’T have return policies.
• DON’T spay/neuter/vaccinate/deworm their animals, or
have out-of-date vaccinations.
• DON’T have adoption applications.
• Charge ridiculous adoption or transportation fees.
• Have dirty facilities.
• Do adoptions outside of their facility, like in parking lots,
without marked vehicles or any other method of
verification.

9. About Breeders:Most breeders charge more for their pets than adoption centers.
Don’t be shocked if they charge you over $800.
Well-bred animals are raised carefully from birth to be healthy and of
good temperament. Most breeders focus on raising a particular breed. This is a good
option if you are looking for show-quality animals that fit breed standards.
There are quite a few different people who call themselves “breeders”, but aren’t equal to them in quality.
Beware of “backyard breeders” like most of those who sell puppies on the side of the road. They don’t have true
qualifications and don’t take into account a dog’s genetics, health, or temperament, so you might be getting a very
unhealthy and badly behaved pet! Some puppy mills also call themselves “breeders” – don’t be duped!

10. About Breeders:
AKC registration papers and USDA certification
don’t guarantee a good pet. AKC registration proves that a dog meets the bare
minimum of standards for its breed, but doesn’t prove that it is healthy and happy. Pay close attention to those
who have USDA certification – this is a standard for LIVESTOCK, by the Department of
AGRICULTURE, who have nothing to do with raising pets. Livestock standards are very unhealthy for
the bodies and minds of dogs, cats, etc!

11. GOOD Breeders:
• Require you to meet their animals and their parents (unless one of the parents belongs to another
breeder).
• Will take back your pet if you realize you aren’t able to keep them.
• Have their animals tested for genetic problems.
• NEVER sell to strangers, and want to know your family and housing before you get to own their
animals.
• Socialize their animals to different people, environments, and sensations while young.
• Breed inside clean homes, NOT kennels.
• Have a vet examine and vaccinate every single animal, and have certification of this.
• Have the contact information of previous buyers available.
• Are enthusiastic and proud of their pets, and have animals just as happy as they are!
• Respond to every question you have in a responsible and knowledgeable manner.
• Participate in breed clubs and stand by their club’s ethics.

12. BAD Breeders:• DON’T allow you to see their animals, the animals’ parents, or their housing conditions.
• DON’T make great efforts to know who you are and whether you are ready for a pet.
• DON’T have proof that their animals are tested and vaccinated.
• DON’T take back your pet if you can’t handle it.
• DON’T have a passion or interest in the breed that doesn’t involve selling them.
• DON’T participate in that breed’s clubs and organizations.
• DON’T know where their buyers are now.
• Sell their pets solely through the internet.
• Have pets that are unhealthy, un-socialized, have behavioral problems, or have other signs of abuse.
• Want to ship you your pet or meet up in a shady area away from their house.
• Keep their pets only in kennels or outside.
• Avoid questions, don’t know much about their breed, sales-talk you, or outright lie to you.
• Have a large variety and number of breeds, or a USDA certificate – this is a sign of a puppy mill!

13. …However, it all boils down to your own needs and wishes.
Revieweach option and use good judgment!
So, which option is the best?
I prefer adoption…

14. The truly important thing to remember is that your source of a friendly tail
should care about animals even more than you do!

15. Sources:
Pupquest. Pupquest, n.d. Web. 6 May 2014. (http://www.pupquest.org/index.php>).
"Adoptable Animals." Animal Humane Society. Animal Humane Society, n.d. Web. 6 May 2014.
(http://www.animalhumanesociety.org/adoption?species=All).
"Adoption FAQs." North Shore Animal League America. North Shore Animal League America, n.d. Web. 6 May 2014.
(http://www.animalleague.org/adopt-a-pet/pet-adoption-services/adoption-faqs/).
Puppyfind.com. Puppyfind.com, n.d. Web. 6 May 2014. (http://www.puppyfind.com/?sid=5222604cfe386895388b56c888231096).
"Why Are Dogs Given Up?" Petfinder. Petfinder, n.d. Web. 6 May 2014. (http://www.petfinder.com/pet-adoption/dog-adoption/pets-
relinquished-shelters/).
Slides 4 and 13 are based on artwork from Street Fighter 4, which is owned by Capcom.