Adopt a puppy

......... & save a life!

Why not adopt a puppy? That's an excellent question! Buying a puppy is often our first instinct when we think about adding a new dog to the family, but finding a dog or puppy to adopt can be a wonderfully rewarding experience - and it's a win/win situation for everyone.

There are approx 2 million dogs in shelters across the USA at any given time, and they're all waiting patiently for that special home..... waiting to belong to someone.... waiting for a family who will think they're special.

So why NOT adopt a puppy - it's worth some serious thought right?

Adoption could be a great option for you if you don't have your heart set on a particular breed. But even if you're pining for a Poodle, or begging for a Beagle, you can find many purebred pups and dogs in shelters all over the country.

In fact, recent figures show that up to 25% or dogs that are euthanized in the US today are purebred.

If you really want a Labrador/German Shepherd/Yorkshire Terrier etc., you can click here to see the breed-specific listings of dogs and puppies near you that are available for adoption right now.

If you live in the US, the handy tool below, lets you search listings of all the homeless puppies and dogs near you. These dogs are just waiting for someone to find them, and one of them could be exactly what you've been looking for....

		Animal	All Bird Cat Dog Horse Pig Rabbit Reptile Small&Furry	Breed		Zip Code

If you live in the UK, you can get a complete, up-to-date list of dogs available for adoption throughout the country, and find out how to adopt a puppy near you, by clicking on the Dogsblog.com banner below.

Facts & figures

Those numbers are staggering don't you think? Here's an area where you really can help - why not adopt a puppy or dog from a shelter and make a dent in those figures!

TOP 10 Reasons dog owners give for surrendering their pets to shelters -

1. Moving
2. Landlord problems
3. Can't afford the upkeep
4. Lack of time
5. Unsuitable accomodation
6. Too many dogs
7. Dog is ill
8. Personal problems
9. Dog has bitten someone
10. No homes for a litter of puppies

There are different types of animal shelters. A municipal shelter is usually your local City Pound, and often doubles as an Animal Control shelter and Rescue Home. Use this link to find a shelter near you.

Rescue dogs or puppies at these shelters are at the greatest risk of being euthanized, although there are also 'no-kill' pounds.


Private or non-profit shelters are usually much smaller and privately run.

They are frequently no-kill shelters but can house far fewer animals than the bigger municipal centers.

What to expect

In general though, expect to answer some questions before you're allowed to take your new best friend home. Of course, the shelter WANTS you to give one of their dogs a good home, but first they need to be sure that the homeless puppy you choose is a good 'fit' for you and your family.

Before you can adopt a puppy they'll most likely want to know some, or all, of the things below -

• Do you rent or own your home?
• Do you have fenced yard?
• Do you have children, if so how old?
• How many hours per day will the dog, or puppy be left alone?
• Do you have other pets?

Answer honestly, it'll help the shelter staff match you up with the right puppy for your lifestyle.

You should also ask some questions before you pick a dog or puppy to adopt. It's so easy to be captivated by the first pair of puppy-dog eyes you see that it's a good idea to make a list of 'my puppy must-haves' before you go!



Ask yourself what it is you're looking for in a dog, what things are essential, what are negotiable and what doesn't matter one bit.

A few minutes thought and preparation can help prevent you leaving with the least suitable (but of course equally adorable) puppy in the place.

For example your 'adopt a puppy' list could include things like -

• Approx. adult size of dog or puppy you'd prefer. Bear mind though, that a mix breed puppy is always a bit of a gamble in this respect.
• Long or short coat?
• Male or female?
• Temperament & energy level, eg. do you want a quiet, laid back lap dog or a high energy running partner?

The ASPCA has a great program called the Meet Your Match program. This is designed to help match dogs, puppies and cats to their prospective new 'parents' using science rather than speculation.

Shelters using this program are reporting reduced return rates, and an increased number of successful adoptions.

It's still perfectly possible that you'll fall in love with a dog that doesn't fit your list, and that's OK as long as you're aware that you'll need to adapt your expectations or preparations to fit your new best friend.



For inspiring, heartwarming true stories of dog adoption, check out our Puppy Dog Adoption Stories page. You can even add your own adoption experience, to help encourage others to adopt a puppy... and save a life.

If you're thinking of adopting any type of pet (dog, cat, reptile, bird, rabbit and so on), check out their website for advice and information.

Here's a really useful little video that will fill you in on the top 10 things you need to consider when you choose to adopt a puppy (or any other pet!)

Let the shelter staff help you make the right decision

Although, in my personal experience, even the busy, overcrowded City Pound is staffed by caring people who take the time and trouble to get to know each homeless dog or puppy and have the dog's best interests at heart.

Before you adopt a puppy it's a good idea to ask about the following things for each rescue dog you're interested in -

• Personality
  this is obviously easier to determine in adolescent or mature dogs, puppies can be more of an unknown quantity. In general, look for a friendly, playful puppy (not one who seems hyperactive or is cowering in a corner). If you can find out something about a homeless puppy's parents or heritage it helps. Individual breeds have different personality traits and inborn characteristics, some of which you can expect to show up in even mix breed pups. In your search to adopt a puppy, be very wary of any dog showing signs of aggression, and a puppy should never growl or snap.
• Energy level
  It's usually best not to adopt a puppy who resembles the Energizer Bunny with ADHD or the one that refuses to even get up (unless you want to be on the go 24/7 or intend to carry your new pet everywhere!). On a serious note, a puppy who seems listless and disinterested in his surroundings could be sick, or getting that way so be careful there.


• General health
  Find out if the puppy or dog you're interested in had any health problems when admitted to the shelter. If so, what was wrong and what treatment was given? Is follow-up care needed? Most shelter animals receive routine vaccinations and are spayed or neutered before being re-homed. When looking to adopt a dog double check to be sure that this is the case with your pup.
• Social skills
  If you're interested in an adolescent or adult dog ask if they are housebroken, socialized or have any basic obedience training. Some are and some aren't, it may not be a huge deal to you either way but before you adopt a puppy it's a good idea to know what to expect, that way you're prepared.



Click here for an easy and free way to help care for those in need at The Animal Rescue Site!




The 'home stretch'

Now you've narrowed it down to one (or maybe several) puppies, ask if you can spend some one-on-one time with the ones you're interested in.

Most shelters have special rooms or designated areas just for his purpose. If all goes well go ahead and introduce the rest of the family. It's always a good idea for the whole family to go together when choosing to adopt a puppy, or dog.

You often don't know too many details about the background of rescue dogs and, for whatever reason, some shelter dogs may be great with women and children but terrified of men.

Or they may be quite comfortable with adults but very nervous around the quick movements and high pitched voices of children It's best to find this out sooner rather than later.

Visit my

Best Dog Breeds for Children and Best Dog Breeds for Families pages for tips and advice on the dog breed/s that are likely to make the best family companions

Ask the shelter if they have offer 'trial' or 'grace' periods where you can take an animal home for a couple of days, or a weekend, to make sure it's a good 'fit' before you officially adopt him or her.


I know it took a little bit of time, thought and effort but it was worth it wasn't it? Now you've chosen the perfect puppy to adopt, signed the papers and you're all ready to go home.

Congratulations! The dog you've chosen is one of the lucky ones, and you've given him the chance of a happy life.


Most rescue dogs need a bit of time to adjust to a new home, give your special puppy lots of love and attention, a good diet and toys to play with, plus some reasonable behavioral guidelines, and pretty soon you'll how on earth you got by without him!










If you know someone else who's looking to adopt a homeless puppy, please share this page with them today!




If you're looking to a adopt a puppy or dog, would you please consider choosing a black one? This may sound like a strange request but if you check out this website www.blackpearldogs.com you'll soon understand why it's important. I had no idea that a black pup or dog was likely to be overlooked in favor of a lighter colored one - especially if it's BIG as well as black! This website will touch your heart and I hope that in some small way we can help the plight of these abandoned dogs and puppies that so desperately need loving homes and families. Color discrimination is a terrible thing in the human world, now it seems it also exists in the dog world, let's put an end to that, now!.



You can also help homeless, abandoned and abused pets in another way - by donating money to help them have a chance at the happy life they deserve.....

Animals911 acts as a clearing house for animal organizations in need of help, your donations can help them to save one animal at a time.

Help Animals

-Animals911.org provides animal abuse, rescue and news online.
Save one animal at a time.

Please help by donating today!










Puppy Dog Adoption Stories

Dog Rescue Organizations

Choosing A Healthy Puppy

Best Dog Breeds For Children

Best Dog Breeds for Families

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