by R. R. Fritz

Created on: November 03, 2008   Last Updated: November 24, 2008

You have made the decision to add a pet to your household. Now you need to decide where to get the new addition!

If you have your heart set on a purebred puppy or kitten, your first thought might be that you have to go to a breeder. That is not always the case. Approximately 40% of the dogs and cats in pounds and shelters are purebred. The more popular dog breeds like Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Beagles and Chihuahua's are often found in shelters.

Because more than 4 million dogs and cats are put to death every year because there are no homes for them, getting your pet from a shelter can also save a life. Shelters will give a series of tests to the animal, called "temperament testing" before putting it up for adoption to make certain that the animal will make a good pet.

Some purebred dogs and cats are more difficult to find at shelters. Every breed has a rescue organization that is dedicated to that specific breed of dog or cats. Breed specific rescues are a great place to adopt a pet. The people who run them are usually very knowledgeable about their breed and are great resources for the life of the pet. To find a rescue near you, simply do an internet search with the name of the breed and your state or city.

If you are looking to show your puppy or eventually breed, then you should get your puppy from a responsible breeder. A responsible breeder will show their dogs or cats to championship to make sure that they are only breeding dogs or cats that are the "breed standard". Most will also do health testing on their animals to make sure that only the healthiest are bred. They are breeding not for money, but to better the breed. A good breeder will also be willing to take back any animal they have bred at any time during their life, and will be there to help the owner with any other issues they might have with the animal. Most good breeders do not breed very frequently, so be prepared to wait a while to get a puppy or kitten.

Remember, this is a commitment for the lifetime of the animal, so take your time and get the best match for your home.

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