Puppy adoption

How to adopt a puppy and save a puppy's life!

 

When you choose puppy adoption, you're giving a home to a puppy that has fallen on hard times through no fault of its own.

So, if you're ready to buy a puppy adopt instead! Give a dog a forever home - save money and save a life!

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On this page:

Pet shelters, pounds and dog rescue  What these organisations do?

Find a puppy to adopt near you  Search for puppies and dogs in the US, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand

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Pet shelters, pounds and dog rescue

It's a sad fact that animal shelters and pounds across the world are often full to overflowing with puppies and dogs that nobody wants.

Often, these dogs were brought into the world by backyard breeders - amateur breeders who thought it would be cute to have a few puppies around but who then couldn't sell them all.

Where do the unwanted puppies go? To the council pound or local animal shelter. If they can't find a home, they will be euthanased (killed).

Sometimes, the dogs are there because they were rescued from a life of cruelty and depravation at the hands of puppy mills (puppy farmers) or other heartless people. Find out more about puppy mills at Where to Buy Puppies.

Sometimes they have had to be surrendered by their owners if they cannot look after them.

The great thing about puppy adoption (or adopting an adult dog if you prefer) is that you'll get a pet that is already vaccinated against dog illnesses, wormed to prevent puppy worms and spayed or neutered (desexed) - and for a very reasonable price.

Another benefit of puppy adoption from a shelter or council pound is the range of dogs and puppies available.

There'll be purebreds, mixed breed dogs and crossbreeds, puppies and mature dogs begging you to take them home!

Dog rescue

Another good place to find puppies for adoption is a dog rescue organisation or foster organisation.

Dog rescue organisations are much like animal shelters but usually run on a smaller scale. They are generally independent, not-for-profit organisations.

Dog fosterers are people who take dogs from pounds or shelters into their homes and live with them for a while.

The fosterer then provides a report about what the dog is like to live with, whether it's good with children and cats, whether it sleeps well at night, and how much training it might have had.

The dogs will be desexed, wormed and vaccinated. Dog rescues and dog fosterers will also have a range of dogs, from puppies to senior dogs seeking their 'forever home'.

So before you rush out to buy that new puppy, why not adopt a puppy instead? (And don't forget to tell us all about your new adopted friend! See our Share a Puppy Adoption Tale invitation below.)

Find a puppy to adopt near you

Live in the US?

If you live in the US, you can visit AdoptaPet.com by clicking on the picture of Drew Barrymore and her adopted dog and searching for you new best friend.

Or use this handy search feature from Petfinder to quickly find an adoptable doggy near you!

Live in Canada?

If you live in Canada, you can use the search feature below from Adopt an Animal Canada to find a puppy to adopt.

Live in the UK?

If you live in the UK, try visiting dogsblog.com to search for a dog to adopt.

Live in Australia?

If you live in Australia, see if Petrescue.com has the puppy for you by using the search feature below.

Live in New Zealand?

Try the link below to RescueMe.org to see if they have a puppy for adoption for you.

 

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