You have decided to adopt a puppy. Your garden has enough space to let the pup play, and all gates and walls are secure. The children have nagged you incessantly. They have reassured you that they will love, care, feed and pick up the poop. The inner child in you is also calling out for the unconditional love and fun that a dog brings into the home. The time is right.
Where do you even start? Do you buy a pup at the pet store? You saw a van on the side of the road last week with 3 different breeds of dog. Will the van be there again this Saturday?
STOP!
Never ever never, consider buying a puppy from a pet store or from the side of the road. These dogs are almost always bred at puppy mills. Puppy mills breed dogs for pure financial gain. The dogs that are used to breed with are usually kept in awful conditions. By buying from these people, you will just be encouraging this terrible trade. Many pet stores sell dogs from backyard breeders. The store owner in many cases does not know the origin of the dogs.
The first place to consider is the SPCA. Here you will be adopting a dog, contributing to aid the SPCA in saving and caring for unwanted litters. If you have a specific breed in mind, I urge you to seek out a KUSA (Kennel Union of South Africa) registered breeder. You will pay more for your chosen dog. But you will be buying a dog from a breeder that has to abide by strict rules laid down by KUSA. The pup will in all cases, be de-wormed and inoculated. If the pup should fall ill in the first six weeks of going to your home, the breeder will pay for any vet fees. Your pet adoption from the SPCA or a registered breeder is the right choice.
Be a responsible pet owner and have your dog neutered or spayed.