Places to Find a Pet

One of the first questions that confronts any would-be pet owner is where to find their furry friend. These days, there are more places than ever where an animal can be had.

Here are a few such places:

1. The pet store: It's somewhat gauche in this current age of breeders and shelters, but lots of animals still come from pet stores. The advantages include a wide selection and reasonable prices. Disadvantages include animals of indeterminate origin and health sometimes being sold and the fact that every animal sold in a pet store is one less adopted from a shelter.

2. Animal shelter: Ever wanted to do some good in the world? Consider the following. With a recession on the past few years, seemingly more animals than ever have wound up in shelters. Some shelters are designated "no kill" facilities, where even the most unwanted of animals can find a safe haven. However, many other shelters have policies of euthanizing their new arrivals if they go six days without being adopted. Taking one of these animals in can literally be the difference between life and death.

3, Breeder: For anyone who wants to know the genealogy of their animal or who values getting a pure bred, a breeder is the way to go. Prices might be a little higher and availability can vary depending on the area, though as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Breeders may know extra tidbits as well such as dog trainer certification.

4. The Internet: With places like Craigslist.org and other online classified sites, the pet store or animal shelter is literally at one's fingertips, and one can find a variety of animals there. Some people post when they find animals. Others do so when they have animals to give away. The list goes on.

5. Friends: It's surprising how often a work acquaintance or friend will have a dog or cat with a fresh litter of pups or kittens that will need homes in two or three months. This happens more than people know. Best of all, it's often free, and it keeps said animals from being abandoned or taken to a shelter.

6. The street: Stray animals can often be found wandering neighborhoods. Sometimes they've been on the streets for months if not years. Other times they've bolted from an abusive home. One tip, though: Before giving a stray a permanent home, check the neighborhood for Lost signs. That cute, would-be member of the household might already have a loving family.

7. Rural areas: This last one isn't as advisable as some of the other options here, though it can work. Unwanted or feral animals often wind up in the country side. It can be a challenge to take one of these animals in and get it re-acclimated to domestic life, though there have been success stories with this. A cat or dog training school can help with this.