The decision to get a new pup in the house is an emotional one, as people open up their homes and hearts to them. But one also has to be realistic while making this decision. Taking care of a pup is satisfying, but it also requires a lot of time, patience, and labor. It still seems worthwhile as adopting one can add to the satisfaction of giving a home and dignity to a homeless pup.
How do puppies end up in shelters?
Taking care of a dog is becoming increasingly expensive due to rising costs of dog feed and veterinarian visits. Families who do not have a proper plan or budget for pet care and find themselves unable to afford it abandon the dogs or leave them in shelters. Some families even abandon their dogs if they are relocating or if they are not allowed to have a pet in their new house. Further, people who have found a new job with little time to take care of their dog typically give up the dog in shelters if they cannot find a new home for them. Plus, when a dog gives birth to a new litter, the pet’s parents tend to abandon or give up the new pups to shelters, as it can be too much to take care of all the pups. Besides this, sick dogs could also be abandoned by their owners.
Benefits of adopting puppies
If one decides to get a new pup, there are many ways of getting one – they can buy one from pet stores, registered breeders, registered kennel clubs, or online websites or find local puppies nearby for adoption. Most animal welfare agencies recommend adoption, as it gives an abandoned pup a new home. One can find many animal rescue and shelter organizations in every area across the country that help families find the right pup based on their expectations and capabilities. Moreover, adopting a puppy can, over time, stop illegal and unverified breeding by pet stores and breeders. It can also reduce the overpopulation of dogs.
Where to find local puppies for adoption
These are the two most trusted and popular places for pup adoption with a presence in every part of the country.
- Animal shelters: Typically funded by local governments, animal shelters are facilities that provide temporary accommodation for animals that have been abandoned. People who find such animals may also come and leave them at these shelters, hoping that they will be reunited with their families.
- Rescue groups: These are dedicated to pet adoption as they take pets and find a suitable home for them. Pet lovers usually form rescue groups and run them with personal funds or donations from other pet lovers.
How to find adoptable puppies in one’s area
Here are some ways of finding adoptable puppies in one’s area without falling prey to unverified sellers.
- Go online and run a search with the keywords “puppies for adoption near me” and “adoptable puppies in my area.” Go through the results and contact them based on the breed and type of puppies they may have.
- Post a request online on social media pages and add tags like #pupadoption, #dogadoption, #rescuedogs, #petadoption, or #animalresuce to find the right responses for adoptable puppies in an area.
- Collect the list of animal shelters, contact them, and find out if puppies are available for adoption.
- Understand the process for adoption and the associated charges if any.
- Visit the animal shelters, look for puppies, and select one or more for adoption.
- Submit the application form for adoption.
- Bring them home once the shelter approves the application.
Online platforms for finding puppies for adoption
When it comes to finding the right pup for adoption, Petfinder is one of the most popular apps, as it lists the animal shelters and rescue groups near one’s location. But one has to pay some fees to the adoption centers and rescue groups while adopting a pup.
There are many other online resources that help in finding free puppies for adoption. One can visit these resources to run a breed-specific, age-specific, and location-specific filter to find free puppies that are available for adoption. One can consider these places to find pup owners and adopters; some websites offer both free adoptions and those with fees.
- Home to Home Direct Adoption
- LifeLine Animal Project
- GetYourPet
- Craigslist
- PawBoost
Research about the safety and trustworthiness of the apps and always meet in an open and public place while receiving the puppy from a stranger.
Points to remember before adopting puppies
Once an adopter decides about the adoption and chooses the pup they want to bring home, they have to commit themselves to the well-being of the pup. Meals, snacks, accessories, and pet insurance put together can be expensive, and one has to be ready to account for these expenses in their budget. Also, before adoption, always visit the pup frequently to develop a bond, which will make it easier for the puppy to adapt when it enters a new home. Plus, if one already has pets at home, they should take them to the shelter and get them acquainted with the pup. It is also important to make changes to the home to make it pet-friendly.
