Adopting vs. Buying a Puppy - UPDATE 1/15/13

[mommyrosa2]

So for the last few months we've been going back and forth. Buy a puppy from a breeder or rescue a slightly older dog from a shelter and weighing all the pro's & con's of each. I had said from the beginning that I PREFERRED adopting a slightly older dog because I know how much work training a puppy is and I'm not really enthused about going down the "baby" stage. DH agreed and eventually my girls were ok with that idea too, great, we chose a breed (Shih Tzu) and started our search and embarked on what I thought was going to be such a great journey. Unfortunately, this wonderful journey has turned into a BIG headache. I can't even tell you the numerous rescues & shelters I've reached out to but I can tell you just how many contacted me back...not many! And all but two refused to consider us for adoption because we were out of state even though the pet was first listed in our area to begin with and this is the pattern we've enountered. We find a pet we think would be a good match, it's listed as being in our area only to find that the pet is really cross-country and if they would allow us to adopt, we could do so WITHOUT being able to meet them first, what? Call me crazy but I have no intentions of adopting a furever baby without my family meeting him first. I'm fed up and ready to give up! I would really love to hear some positive rescue/adoption stories and could use some advice because right now I'm very discouraged and actually contemplating getting a puppy

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If you are breed specific, it will be a long process of selection. My advice would be to go to your local shelters and go often.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

So for the last few months we've been going back and forth. Buy a puppy from a breeder or rescue a slightly older dog from a shelter and weighing all the pro's & con's of each. I had said from the beginning that I PREFERRED adopting a slightly older dog because I know how much work training a puppy is and I'm not really enthused about going down the "baby" stage. DH agreed and eventually my girls were ok with that idea too, great, we chose a breed (Shih Tzu) and started our search and embarked on what I thought was going to be such a great journey. Unfortunately, this wonderful journey has turned into a BIG headache. I can't even tell you the numerous rescues & shelters I've reached out to but I can tell you just how many contacted me back...not many! And all but two refused to consider us for adoption because we were out of state even though the pet was first listed in our area to begin with and this is the pattern we've enountered. We find a pet we think would be a good match, it's listed as being in our area only to find that the pet is really cross-country and if they would allow us to adopt, we could do so WITHOUT being able to meet them first, what? Call me crazy but I have no intentions of adopting a furever baby without my family meeting him first. I'm fed up and ready to give up! I would really love to hear some positive rescue/adoption stories and could use some advice because right now I'm very discouraged and actually contemplating getting a puppy

We got our Boxer from the local pound. He was a year old and he is AMAZING!

Have you gone at looked at dogs in person?

 

[TB'sWidow]

We adopted our fur baby a Boykin spaniel puppy from a wonderful organization we found on adopt a pet.com the group is called chow charmer rescue they have a Facebook page. Our experience was great I has my reservations at first cause she is located in South Carolina but she transported our puppy up here to us the fee was only $160 that included first round of shots, spaying an microchip and transportation. We have had her for 2 months and it had been great.

 

[cornflake]

It's not a rare breed and you're in a populated area - have you just gone to the local shelters/ASPCAs/etc. and looked? Gone to pet store adoption events? Called local rescues?

 

[pumpkinmomma]

Are you mostly searching online? Where are you looking?

You may have to look at other breeds if you are looking to adopt. It can be a long process. Contact the local shelters, not just the breed-specific rescues. Call the shelters directly. If you are going through a site like petfinder, it can be harder to get a response IMO.

 

[nathalee81]

Have you tried going to an adoption event at your local Petsmart or Petco?
Sometimes, rescue groups also attend fairs or festivals.

I know you are frustrated, but please remember it is the holidays and a lot of rescue groups are staffed by volunteers with full time jobs and families. I have worked with several different rescue groups and some are more efficient than others-I know it may be frustrating, but hang in there.

I wish you all the best and hope you find a new furry family member.

 

[luvwinnie]

I would visit PetCo, PetSmart, etc. on weekends...i know by us there are always rescue groups there with dogs...also your local shelter and see the dogs in person. The person above is right...if you are wedded to ONE breed, it will be tougher. Good lucK! I hope you stick to adopting.

 

[mommyrosa2]

We got our Boxer from the local pound. He was a year old and he is AMAZING!

Have you gone at looked at dogs in person?

I haven't but I have called our local shelters to see if they had any Shih Tzu's and unfortunately none of the ones I called in our area had any. As for the breed, I chose the Shih Tzu because I know it has hair vs. fur (a must because my youngest daughter has allergies) and that is the breed that my daughters have been around the most and was their first choice. While I didn't expect to find a dog right away, I did expect to at least get responses from these places and it's so discouraging when I hear nothing. Even my co-worker who volunteers at a local shelter can't believe it...I even have her trying to help us find one.

 

[mommyrosa2]

Are you mostly searching online? Where are you looking?

You may have to look at other breeds if you are looking to adopt. It can be a long process. Contact the local shelters, not just the breed-specific rescues. Call the shelters directly. If you are going through a site like petfinder, it can be harder to get a response IMO.

I have tried Petfinder and Adopt-a-Pet.com...

 

[JKMJ441724]

we wanted a small, inside dog and could find VERY FEW in local shelters. We decided on one only to be told we weren't a good match because we had younger (although responsible) children in our home.

Then I found a yorkie but it was in poor(ish) health and had recently had surgery to remove an eye. I chose not to get that one because I didn't want to have to deal with my children's heartache should something happen to the dog.

We ended up getting BellatheWonderDog! at a breeder and we love her to pieces! I wish it had worked out for us going the rescue route.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I haven't but I have called our local shelters to see if they had any Shih Tzu's and unfortunately none of the ones I called in our area had any. As for the breed, I chose the Shih Tzu because I know it has hair vs. fur (a must because my youngest daughter has allergies) and that is the breed that my daughters have been around the most and was their first choice. While I didn't expect to find a dog right away, I did expect to at least get responses from these places and it's so discouraging when I hear nothing. Even my co-worker who volunteers at a local shelter can't believe it...I even have her trying to help us find one.

What about a Poodle/poodle mix one of the other less allergenic breeds? (I'm not trying to talk you out of what you want)

You're probably going to be waiting for quite a while to find a pure breed at a pound. We got really lucky with our Boxer.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

we wanted a small, inside dog and could find VERY FEW in local shelters. We decided on one only to be told we weren't a good match because we had younger (although responsible) children in our home.

Then I found a yorkie but it was in poor(ish) health and had recently had surgery to remove an eye. I chose not to get that one because I didn't want to have to deal with my children's heartache should something happen to the dog.

We ended up getting BellatheWonderDog! at a breeder and we love her to pieces! I wish it had worked out for us going the rescue route.

So cute!

 

[mommyrosa2]

Have you tried going to an adoption event at your local Petsmart or Petco?
Sometimes, rescue groups also attend fairs or festivals.

I know you are frustrated, but please remember it is the holidays and a lot of rescue groups are staffed by volunteers with full time jobs and families. I have worked with several different rescue groups and some are more efficient than others-I know it may be frustrating, but hang in there.

I wish you all the best and hope you find a new furry family member.

This is what my friend said...she actually mentioned that I may have more luck after the holidays because unfortunately that is when many places receive dogs from folks who made impulsive decisions over the holidays. I'm in no rush which I guess is a good thing.

 

[piglet too]

Another option is to talk to some breeders and see if they have any older dogs that need to be re-homed or if they are familiar with a rescue group that specializes in Shih Tzus.

My parents are dog breeders and they require that if a puppy buyer is unable to keep the dog, that it is returned to them. They currently have a 1 1/2 yr old girl, sweet as can be, that the buyers returned after a year because they don't think she will do well around the baby they are hoping to have.

ETA ~ Found this on the American Shih Tzu Club page, http://www.americanshihtzuclub.org/rescue_committee

 

[mommyrosa2]

we wanted a small, inside dog and could find VERY FEW in local shelters. We decided on one only to be told we weren't a good match because we had younger (although responsible) children in our home.

Then I found a yorkie but it was in poor(ish) health and had recently had surgery to remove an eye. I chose not to get that one because I didn't want to have to deal with my children's heartache should something happen to the dog.

We ended up getting BellatheWonderDog! at a breeder and we love her to pieces! I wish it had worked out for us going the rescue route.

How cute! I actually contacted a couple of breeders to see if they had any adult dogs and found one who did but she had just given it up for adoption a few days before I called.

I'm not stuck on a purebred and would consider a mix....in fact, one rescue group had a Shih-poo (shih tzu/poodle mix) but they were one of the ones who wouldn't consider us because we were out of state...even though I said, we'd drive the 5 plus hours

 

[LittleMissMagic]

We went through this 8+ years ago, but small dogs and pure breeds are difficult to find in animal shelters. When they go there, they are adopted quickly. If you want a purebred Shih Tzu, you'll probably have to find him online and perhaps fly him home. However, you'll be lucky if you get the luxury of meeting him in advance.

 

[crazyme5kids]

Go to your town municipal shelter and look at the dogs there. Tell them what breed or type you are looking for, and ask them to call you if they get any in that are going up for adoption.

 

[pumpkinmomma]

Just keep looking and be patient. Small dogs are harder to find, they seem to go fast. I agree that you will probably have better luck after the holidays are over.

 

[Rence]

I am very big on Adopt - Don't Shop.

If there are any breed specific rescues in your area - contact them - even if the "right" dog is not listed on their website. I am somewhat active with a breed specific rescue in our area - and most of the rescues do not make the website. Neither of the two we adopted were ever posted.

We contacted the rescue, did the paperwork and the home visit. The rescue knew about our situation (two adults - no kids) our age preferences etc. and then contacted us when a dog became available - we didn't have to wait very long either time - a couple of months at most.

We have fostered dogs for the rescue and in each case - they were adopted out before hitting any of the websites. The woman who heads the rescue has a list of folks interested and she contacts them first before posting anything on-line.

I would think that multi-breed rescues may work the same way. Just contact the local rescues - let them know what you're looking for and get the process started.