Pet Shopping: Shelter, Store or Breeder?

Deciding to bring a new pet into one's home can be an enriching and fulfilling experience. And where that new pet comes from is the first step in accepting responsibility as a pet owner, acquiring a new pup or kitten must be in alignment not only with the household's financial constraints, but moral standards and capabilities raising and/or training an animal. Pets from certain environments can present very specific challenges. 

While adopting a brand new puppy or kitten from a breeder or pet store assures that the individual can raise and train the pet themselves, it does not provide a guarantee for a well-behaved companion with zero issues. Human error must always be taken into consideration. Common mistakes and lack of adherence to rules and regimens that teach pets their behavioral patterns sour the potential of any new animal. 

The weeks that an animal spends with its breeder in its infancy before becoming your pet are also an often overlooked factor. Many breeders are not equipped to provide nor are knowledgeable regarding proper early training or medical care, while some suppliers cultivate and raise their animals under conditions meant to maximize profit without regard to the animals' safety and well-being, such as puppy mills. Animals raised improperly during their formative years can display emotional and health problems down the road that may not be detectable while they are still young. 

Essentially, the consistencies lie in the inconsistencies. Being armed with solid information and taking the time to carefully evaluate potential pets and their environment are certainly a good start. The American Kennel Club offers a comprehensive tutorial on how to select a new pet, starting with three basic questions to keep in mind:

-  Have I found the right breed to fit into my lifestyle and home?

-  Will you have enough time to spend training, grooming and exercising a dog?

-  Am I willing to spend the resources to ensure the best future for a dog?

But where to begin? Would your household adopt a new pet from a shelter, a store or a private breeder?