So your family is looking for a new puppy or dog. Puppies are so darn cute with their waggin' tails going a mile-a-minute and kisses with sweet puppy breath. How can one not resist man's best friend? Imagine the romps in the backyard and snuggles on the couch. Now imagine the cost of purchasing that purebred poodle that little Johnny needs due to his allergies. Let's see:
1. Cost of dog from breeder (Toy Poodle $1000)
That's all. Wrong!
2. Vet visit x 4 if the puppy is 8 weeks old for shots, deworming, etc. ($75 average per visit with shots x 4 = $300)
3. Spay/neuter ($250)
Total before the crate, toys, food, etc. ($1550)
Other things to consider: does the puppy have heartworms, parvo, worms, etc? Oh no! Then pull out that plastic and make sure that card swipes well.
Rule #1-Don't EVER buy from a breeder who does not show you the parents. PERIOD. Everyone has heard of the "puppy mills". Well, anyone who breeds many dogs (more than 4 adult dogs) and does not show their dogs in the show circuit, could quite possibly be a puppy mill. Anyone that keeps their puppies and dogs in outdoor kennels and runs with multiple dog breeds is a puppy mill. Many dogs in close proximity spread disease and infections. I have seen and read about too many unsuspecting new owners adopt a new puppy, take it home and helplessly watch the puppy die. Read all about sweet Scrabbles story.
Please don't support these backyard breeders. Don't try to save a puppy because you are only making the situation worst by putting money in their pockets so the cycle continues. Adopt AKC dogs only if you must buy from a breeder. To be AKC, a dog must have a lineage of 4 generations and have detailed paperwork to be considered AKC. Most puppy mills won't take the time to do this and don't even know any history. They turn to other organizations like CKC who don't have any requirements other than sending in a photo. Yep, looks like a dog, here's your papers.
Hint: Papers don't mean jack if you don't intend to breed your dog (write this down ya'll). It means that it is purebred. That's all folks. And don't breed your dog unless you are serious about showing it. Spay and neuter America! Keep the homeless pet population down.
Please don't support these backyard breeders. Don't try to save a puppy because you are only making the situation worst by putting money in their pockets so the cycle continues. Adopt AKC dogs only if you must buy from a breeder. To be AKC, a dog must have a lineage of 4 generations and have detailed paperwork to be considered AKC. Most puppy mills won't take the time to do this and don't even know any history. They turn to other organizations like CKC who don't have any requirements other than sending in a photo. Yep, looks like a dog, here's your papers.
Hint: Papers don't mean jack if you don't intend to breed your dog (write this down ya'll). It means that it is purebred. That's all folks. And don't breed your dog unless you are serious about showing it. Spay and neuter America! Keep the homeless pet population down.
Rule #2-Don't EVER buy from a pet store. Not only do they jack up the prices of dogs to be 2 times (a normal $1000 poodle at a breeder costs $2000 at a pet store), but guess where they get their puppies....ding, ding.... a puppy mill. Now they will tell you that the puppies are from a breeder. Hello? Let's use our brains for a second. How could any breeder keep up with having such a large selection of puppies at 6-12 weeks old? Why would a reputable breeder sell to a puppy store? They wouldn't. Pet stores get their dogs from the Hunt Corp. See above about puppy mills.
So what does one do to get a loving, sweet dog?
No need to fear and bust your budget on a portuguese water dog-the most popular dog since Beau hit the White House. Go to a rescue. In Atlanta, go to the Atlanta Pet Rescue in Midtown. But I want a purebred dog, Mommy. The Atlanta Pet Rescue has almost 50% purebred dog and puppies or more (mostly small dogs), as well as cats for the feline lovers, who all need homes for the adoption fee of (sit down) only $250 for dogs and $115 for cats. What a bargain! And the adoption fee includes all of their shots, spay/neuter, leash, and food. The volunteers provide foster homes, give them any medications, grooming, report on their developments, take them to the vet, and give them some good old fashioned lovin'. The volunteers take the time to make sure you are a good match before leaving and will always take the pup back if it doesn't work out. Sounds like a win-win to me!
No need to fear and bust your budget on a portuguese water dog-the most popular dog since Beau hit the White House. Go to a rescue. In Atlanta, go to the Atlanta Pet Rescue in Midtown. But I want a purebred dog, Mommy. The Atlanta Pet Rescue has almost 50% purebred dog and puppies or more (mostly small dogs), as well as cats for the feline lovers, who all need homes for the adoption fee of (sit down) only $250 for dogs and $115 for cats. What a bargain! And the adoption fee includes all of their shots, spay/neuter, leash, and food. The volunteers provide foster homes, give them any medications, grooming, report on their developments, take them to the vet, and give them some good old fashioned lovin'. The volunteers take the time to make sure you are a good match before leaving and will always take the pup back if it doesn't work out. Sounds like a win-win to me!
Go check out the shih tzus, yorkies, poodles, doxies, etc. Even mixed breed dogs need loving homes too! Best of all, you can look at who's available on the website all from the comforts of your couch. If you don't see what you like, wait a week or two, there are always new ones to replace the cute pups that have been adopted. Take a peek and pick up a new best friend! And when you do, you'll be famous and posted on their website like us! At least for 2 days-LOL!
Here is our new BFF, Phoebe from APR (she's the black and silver purebred miniature schnauzer)! And we saved $1250 at the same time! Ca-ching!
P.S. If you think $250 is too expensive of an adoption fee, then you certainly don't need a dog. Dogs depend on you for food, shelter, medical, etc. and you will definitely spend more than that in the 1st year on your new BFF. Dogs require and deserve dedication, time, and love. They are living souls so please consider this when adopting a new pet.
And if you just want a backyard lawn ornament that you would call a pet, Target has these cute metal pups ($39.99) that would be perfect and doesn't shed! Check, check, check it out!
P.S. If you think $250 is too expensive of an adoption fee, then you certainly don't need a dog. Dogs depend on you for food, shelter, medical, etc. and you will definitely spend more than that in the 1st year on your new BFF. Dogs require and deserve dedication, time, and love. They are living souls so please consider this when adopting a new pet.
And if you just want a backyard lawn ornament that you would call a pet, Target has these cute metal pups ($39.99) that would be perfect and doesn't shed! Check, check, check it out!
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