Finding a dog

Shelters and breed-specific rescues (see the rescue finder on every match) are full of wonderful dogs, including purebreds and the exact crosses people pay thousands for.

· Will ship a puppy sight-unseen or meet you in a parking lot
· Always has multiple breeds/litters available, any time
· Won't show you the mother or the whelping environment
· No health testing on parents, no health guarantee, no questions for YOU
· Pet-store puppies overwhelmingly come from commercial mills, despite signage

· Health-tests both parents (OFA/DNA appropriate to the breed - see the research hub)
· Asks you as many questions as you ask them; has a waitlist
· Shows you mom and where pups are raised; socializes in-home
· Provides a contract and takes the dog back at ANY point in its life - the hallmark
· Is involved with the breed's parent club (findable via the research hub)

The rescue finder and the research hub's parent-club doors are the tools for both paths.

Name: Adopt: Petfinder

Why: Search adoptable dogs - purebreds and crosses included

Link: https://www.petfinder.com/search/dogs-for-adoption/

Name: AKC Marketplace (health-tested litters)

Why: If buying, filter for health-tested parents; cross-check against the green flags

Link: https://marketplace.akc.org

Name: Look up parent-breed health testing (OFA)

Why: Verify a breeder's health-testing claims yourself

Link: https://ofa.org

Name: Report a suspected puppy mill

Why: Humane Society reporting

Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=report+puppy+mill+humane+society