ARLINGTON, Va. (PRWEB) March 23, 2018
It’s National Puppy Day, and many people are celebrating by bringing a new four-legged friend into their family this weekend. If that’s you, the Better Business Bureau has some tips to help:
Consider the commitment. Dogs can live 15 years, so make sure you can really offer a “forever home.”
Consider your time. Be ready to devote 30-60 minutes a day to pet care, walks, etc. Think about the best way to involve the whole family.
Consider your space. Many breeds, larger ones especially, need a lot of room to run and play. Do you have a yard or a nearby park where your new pup can get lots of exercise?
Consider your family. If you have young children at home, a puppy may be a handful. A grown dog with a calm temperament might be a better choice.
Whether you are buying or adopting, start with BBB’s Tips on Buying a Puppy. This information is good for all new dog owners.
If you are buying from a breeder, get references from other dog owners, and check BBB.org to read what previous customers have experienced. The American Kennel Club marketplace has only AKC-registered puppies for sale.
Adopting a puppy can mean rescuing from your local animal shelter, or taking home a puppy from a friend or neighbor who has a litter to give away. Both of these options give you a chance to meet and play with the puppy first, to make sure it’s a good match. Check out these tips from the ASPCA, a BBB Accredited Charity, on adopting a puppy.
Another option is a breed-specific rescue group, which is particularly good for those who have their heart set on a certain breed, or are limited in some way, such as only low-allergy breeds or small breeds. Check with the local animal shelter for references to reliable rescue groups in your area, or ask friends who have the kind of dog you are looking for.
Be very cautious about purchasing a puppy online, and especially from a distant source. Some online sites are puppy mills where dogs live in deplorable conditions and puppies may not be healthy. Unless you have experience with a long-distance breeder, or great references from happy pet owners, you are better off looking closer to home.
Some online puppy sites don’t actually have puppies at all; they are set up by scammers who will take your money but never ship you a dog. Unless you are absolutely certain about a specific breeder or source, don’t buy a puppy you haven’t seen in person. For more information about puppy scams, go to go.bbb.org/puppyscam.
Happy National Puppy Day, and enjoy your new best friend!
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MEDIA CONTACTS: For more information, journalists for national media outlets should contact Katherine Hutt (212-705-0131) or khutt(at)council.bbb(dot)org. Journalists for local media outlets should contact their regional spokesperson (bbb.org/bbb-locator).
ABOUT BBB: For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2016, people turned to BBB more than 167 million times for BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.2 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at bbb.org. The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for the local, independent BBBs in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as home to its national and international programs on dispute resolution, advertising review, and industry self-regulation.