Where Should You Get a Puppy? What To Know About the Different Ways To Adopt

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

Bringing a puppy into your life is one of the most exciting decisions you’ll ever make. But how do you go about finding one? From responsible breeders to pet stores to shelters and rescue organizations, there are many paths to puppy parenthood—some of which are more safe and ethical than others.

To help you navigate your journey to finding a puppy, we’ve consulted Dominika Knossalla-Pado, a certified dog trainer and founder of Dog Meets Baby. With her help, we’ll cover the safest ways to find a puppy, what red flags to look out for in the process, and how to make the most responsible and informed decision about your new furry friend.

	Cost	Safety	Notes
Reputable Breeder	$$$$	Extensive checks required	Wide choice of breed; proper socialization ensured
Shelters and Rescues	$$	Some checks required	Can be a little more difficult to find a specific breed; rescues a dog in need
Pet Store	$$	Very risky	Likely to come from puppy mills
Free Puppies	$	Risky	Source dependent: friends and family can sometimes be safe, but online puppies are a bad idea

Breeders

When you’re searching for where to get a puppy, you’ll likely come across a few dog breeders. A responsible dog breeder is someone who prioritizes the health, well-being, and temperament of their dogs above all else.

One advantage of getting a puppy from a responsible breeder is that you can choose the exact breed you want, allowing you to select a puppy with characteristics that match your lifestyle. However, this option tends to be more expensive than adopting from a shelter, and it requires diligent research to ensure the breeder is ethical and responsible.

Here are a few signs of a responsible breeder:

• You can visit the breeder, see the living conditions of the animals, and meet at least one of your puppy’s parents.
• The breeder does multiple health tests. “Responsible breeders will be happy to share the results of their dog’s health screenings and the screenings of the parents and grandparents,” says Knossalla-Pado.
• They will require that you return the puppy if something is wrong or the puppy is not a good match.
• They might match you with the best puppy for your family based on their vast experience.
• They properly socialize their puppies.

Warning signs of a backyard breeder or puppy mill

So, how can you tell the difference between a reputable breeder and an irresponsible one?

Unfortunately, not all dog breeders are ethical and reliable. Some prioritize profit over the well-being of their dogs and let their dogs reproduce without researching their health and behavioral history, which can lead to their puppies having genetic health issues.

Disreputable breeders also don’t take the time to socialize their puppies, which can result in behavioral issues like fear and anxiety.

“In my professional experience, puppy mill puppies are also much harder to potty train,” says Knossalla-Pado. “Dogs are naturally clean animals, but once forced to pee and poop in the crate, they usually stop caring. They might also struggle with being crated or traveling in a carrier.”

Here are some signs that you might be dealing with a disreputable breeder or puppy mill:

• They refuse to let you visit their facility and meet the puppy or its parents.
• They sell several breeds at a time to make a larger profit. Reputable breeders typically stick to one breed because they’re passionate about that breed.
• They give generic, vague responses to your specific questions about the puppy’s health and background. A reputable breeder will be very open and informative about their breeding practices.
• They pressure you into buying the puppy. A reputable breeder values placing their puppies in the right home more than making a fast sale.

Questions to ask a breeder

A responsible breeder will appreciate your questions because it shows that you care. Here are a few questions you might want to ask them:

• Does this breed have specific needs that I should be aware of?
• Can I visit the facilities where you breed and house your dogs?
• What is the health and behavioral history of the puppy’s parents and grandparents?
• Is the puppy social with people and dogs? “You’ll also want to ask how it plays with its siblings (ideally, the play is balanced, and there is a lot of give-and-take),” adds Knossalla-Pado.
• Can I see references from other people who have purchased a puppy from you?

Shelters and Rescue Organizations

Shelters and rescue organizations are another option when you’re considering where to adopt a puppy. Many people use the words “shelter” and “rescue” interchangeably, but there are some key differences between the two.

Shelters are generally funded by city or state tax dollars, and they take in strays or dogs surrendered by their owners. Rescues are typically non profit organizations that are funded by donations, and they sometimes take animals out of shelters to spare them from the stressful environment. Many rescues are also run by unpaid volunteers who foster the animals in their own homes.

At most shelters, you can choose which animal you’d like to adopt and take them home the same day. Rescue organizations, however, typically require that you fill out an adoption application before you can be considered to adopt. This is because they value compatibility, and they want their animals to find their forever homes.

Adopting a puppy from a shelter or rescue can be incredibly rewarding, as you are helping to reduce overcrowding in shelters and rescues and giving a second chance to animals in need. Additionally, adoption fees are usually lower than the cost of buying a puppy from a breeder.

Questions to ask a shelter or rescue

Below are a few questions to ask a shelter or rescue to ensure they’re a reputable organization:

• What is your best prediction of the puppy’s breed(s)? “If you are unfamiliar with that breed, ask more questions,” says Knossalla-Pado. “Dogs were bred for a purpose, like herding, guarding, hunting, etc., so choose a dog that will fit your family and lifestyle.”
• What is the dog’s history? Knowing where the dog came from will help you understand their behavior, so you can decide if you’re able to provide them the care they need.
• Is the puppy up to date on its vaccines, and has it been spayed or neutered? This will help you determine what kind of care you’ll have to provide for the puppy after adopting it.
• Will you take the puppy back if it doesn’t work out? Although a shelter or rescue’s goal is to find forever homes for their animals, it’s not always the perfect fit. Reputable organizations typically take animals back for any reason.

Pet Stores

Unless the pet store is hosting puppies from a rescue for an adoption event, many pet stores unfortunately sell puppies that come from puppy mills. Purchasing these puppies actually supports the pet store’s corrupt business, which often values profit over the health and well being of the puppies.

If you want to rescue a puppy, there are millions of shelter dogs that desperately need homes. The best thing you can do to put an end to puppy mills is stay away from pet stores and adopt your puppy from a local shelter or rescue organization instead.

Questions to ask a pet store

Below are some questions you can ask a pet store to see if they’re reputable:

• Where do you receive your puppies from? Have you inspected the breeder’s facility and their records? If the answer is no, it’s probably a sign that they purchase puppies from puppy mills. Responsible breeders don’t sell their puppies to pet stores.
• Can I see the medical records from a licensed veterinarian for the puppy and the puppy’s parents? Ask for the name and number of their veterinarian and proof of the puppy’s full veterinary examination. If they’re only able to provide a list of vaccinations they’ve administered themselves, they’re likely an unethical business that doesn’t screen the puppies for genetic disorders, parasites, or diseases.
• What is the puppy’s living space like? If the puppies are kept in small, confined spaces, the pet store likely has little regard for the safety, health, and well-being of the puppies.

Free Puppies

Although it is possible to find free puppies, there are always costs associated with pet ownership. In order to give a puppy a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life, they will need things like food, toys, and veterinary care, which all require money. It’s important to remember that puppies are living, breathing beings that will depend on you for almost everything.

Here are a few examples of when and where free puppies might be available (and which situations to avoid).

Adoption events

Shelters sometimes host events where they bring sponsored puppies who have had their costs covered by a donor. Shelters will also sometimes waive fees for puppies that need homes urgently.

Friends and family

Sometimes friends and family have an unexpected litter of puppies and decide to rehome them for free. On the one hand, it would be beneficial to get a puppy from someone you know so you could maintain a connection with the puppy’s previous owner.

Much like getting a puppy from a breeder or shelter, though, it’s important to ask questions, especially if the puppy belongs to the friend or family’s unspayed dog’s litter. For example, you might want to ask if they plan to spay the puppy’s mother to prevent future unexpected litters. You’ll also want to ask about the health and behavioral history of the puppy’s parents.

“Both my childhood dogs came from neighbors who had litters of puppies,” adds Knossalla-Pado. “Knowing at least one of the dog’s parents well adds an element of reassurance. Being able to visit the puppies and spend time with them before choosing one is also a big plus.”

Online

Getting a free puppy through Facebook, Craigslist, or other online platforms can be extremely risky. Many online offers may come from unreliable sources, including puppy mills or irresponsible breeders who neglect proper care and health screenings. Without meeting the puppy and its current owner in person, it’s challenging to verify the puppy’s health, behavior, and living conditions.

Free puppies online can also be a front for scams. It’s better to be safe than sorry and instead adopt a puppy from a reputable breeder, shelter, or rescue organization.

Further Reading

• The Cost of Dog Parenthood in 2024
• 220 Popular and Unique Puppy Names for Your Cute Dog
• What To Expect With A New Puppy: The First 6 Months
• Should You Adopt the Runt of the Litter?