[JoeProBono]

[HungarianGypsy]

Or showing up in your backyard. Oh wait! That one doesn’t always happen?

[RaiderRose]

We have a cute little Dalmatian that we found at the shelter. He’s a handful, but he’s our newest little handful.

[KarlInOhio]

If I want a mutt I'll go to a shelter. If I want a pureblood I'll go to a reputable breeder or a rescue organization. If I want a goldfish I might go to a pet store.

[SumProVita]

This article is continued proof that there is a great deal of misinformation circulating. It actually depends on what you are looking for. Your local vet can be a great help in helping you to find a good, healthy dog.

If I am looking for a particular breed...I would definitely go for a reputable breeder. If the breed is not so important...then the shelter or the family down the street with “accidental” pups can be good options.

[stars & stripes forever]

Have you checked out the prices for the doggies in the window? They seem to range from $800 - $1,600. Unbelievable!

[RushingWater]

The shelter needs to lay off the paper work they make you sign and quit forcing sterilization of pure breds. Just let me pick out my animal and pay some nominal fee. Why do I want to give a municipality legal authority over me with what I do with my pet? - and it’s micro chipped to trace back to me as well.

[goodwithagun]

We adopted our Sampson (RIP) from the American Bullmastiff Association. He was a great dog and we do miss him terribly. The organization does such a wonderful job nursing dogs back to health and making sure the dogs are social enough to be adopted out. We will adopt from them again in the future, but right now a big dog with a 20 month old little boy would be a little too hectic.

[WakeUpAndVote]

Shelter or Rescue. Never a store.

[CrazyIvan]

We have three wonderful dogs from the local shelters. All
“composits” of some sorts.

[puppypusher]

I agree with getting a from the pound or an animal rescue facility because the animals are very loyal to their new owners.

I have had two dogs that we got from a rescue facility a male and female.Though both were very loyal to their pack,AKA new owners they were highly protective to the degree if they saw another animal they would get very excited almost out of control.Not something you’d want to have happen walking through Petco.

Another thing if your going to meet strangers at home meet them outside until they see your not concerned.It will save you a lot of unneeded
barking.

[Slings and Arrows]

[Fawn]

This is misleading. Is Petsmart a store? Because only rescues use Petsmart to adopt out there animals....

[Monkey Face]

I want all of them!!

[discostu]

The stores use puppy mills which are notorious for over breading and creating animals with the genetic defects that causes. So you should only go to the stores if you want an animal that will live half as long as their breed normally does, and will have strange and expensive health problems for the last couple of years.

[codercpc]

I believe in shelter dogs all the way, but I was quite surprised to find out how expensive it can be to "adopt" a dog from a shelter.

Our beautiful 2 year old husky/ something mix cost us over $200.00 to adopt. She was worth every single penny, and I would pay that and more again, but it isn't cheap to adopt.