by Crystal Collins

Created on: November 03, 2008   Last Updated: March 20, 2010

Adopting a pet is a huge step for any family. When you begin your search, the options available to you can seem overwhelming. Do your research and know what kind of pet will be best suited to your home before you start looking at individual pets. Have a list ready of your expectations and the things that would automatically eliminate an animal as a potential new family member.

Now that you know what you're looking for, where do you look? The answer lies only in your expectations. There are two main sectors of animal transfer: sales and adoption. Sales include breeders and pet stores primarily. Adoption covers shelters, rescues, and individuals re-homing their pets.

Depending on your needs, you can find most animals ready for a new home in animal shelters, foster homes and pure breed rescues. Adopting from individuals is another option, but show caution- even "Free to Good Home" pets are often in need of veterinary care right off the bat. Between standard shelters and the ever-growing network of foster-based rescue organizations, you can practically place an order and get what you need! Many of these groups are for more than cats and dogs and everything from mice and hamsters to horses can be found in need of a home. If you are seeking a companion, or a casual working or sport animal, please look at the adoption base first.

If you have very specific needs for the animal you wish to have, a breeder might be a good option for you. Buyer, beware: you do not always get what you pay for. Make sure the breeder of the animal that you buy has tested the parents for any applicable health problems to ensure good quality offspring. Do not buy from a pet store- typically these animals come from "mills." The markup is high; the breeding quality of the parents is low. Aside from the risk factors involved with bringing home an animal from substandard breeding practice, purchasing from these places only perpetuates the problem.

Ultimately, where you get your new pet is up to you and factors heavily on your individual needs and what you hope to find in a companion. While you may require certain traits that have been carefully bred into an animal, most people with experience would agree: shelter pets ARE the best breed. Opt to adopt and save a life if you can!

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