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How to Adopt a Dog for a Low Price

by Marlo Verrilla

Overview

Adopting a dog can be one of the greatest pleasures in life, and one of the easiest if you know where to look. Instead of purchasing a full-blooded dog from a breeder, many of whom charge hundreds or even thousands for a pedigreed puppy, try adopting an animal from a shelter or a rescue group. You can save yourself a lot of money and still have a valuable relationship with a deserving dog.

Step 1

Contact your local animal shelter. Shelters not only have lower prices, their dogs are already spayed or neutered and vaccinated, details that can prove expensive if taken care of on your own. Let the shelter know your preferences for breed, size, age and temperament, which is what most shelters like to use to match a dog with an owner. You also can specify a breed. Shelters do have full-bred dogs and puppies, but older dogs usually are already potty-trained and priced cheaper than puppies and younger dogs.
Step 2

Search for other shelters online. Various sites including www.petfinder.org, www.animalshelter.org and www.adoptapet.com allow you to search shelters online in different cities and states. After filling in your preferences and looking through listings of available dogs, some sites allow you to fill in an adoption application online.
Step 3

Check online classifieds. Sites such as www.craigslist.org or www.olx.com provide listings of many dogs for sale along with contact information. You also can check the classifieds section your local newspaper, which might be listed online as well. Sometimes, the price is as low as "free to a good home."
Step 4

Locate a rescue group. If you want a particular breed of dog, the breed probably has a rescue group. Rescue groups often have members throughout the country who foster dogs and will drive them across the state to be adopted. Rescue groups have lower prices than breeders and charge less for older dogs. These dogs are spayed or neutered and vaccinated.

3
Try to get enough information about a dog before adopting so that you can get the perfect match for you and your lifestyle. It is often a good idea to know what you are looking for before you actually start searching for a dog to adopt. Try to meet the dog before adopting so that you can see if you'll be a good match. Adopting a dog can be sometimes be as difficult as adopting a baby. Rescue groups often require an in-home inspection to make sure your house meets all their requirements. Shelters also can have specifications for those wanting to adopt.
Try to get enough information about a dog before adopting so that you can get the perfect match for you and your lifestyle. It is often a good idea to know what you are looking for before you actually start searching for a dog to adopt.
Try to meet the dog before adopting so that you can see if you'll be a good match.
Adopting a dog can be sometimes be as difficult as adopting a baby. Rescue groups often require an in-home inspection to make sure your house meets all their requirements. Shelters also can have specifications for those wanting to adopt.
When arranging something with a private owner online or through the newspaper, use common sense when safety is involved. It is often a good idea to take someone with you and meet the contact person in a public place.
When arranging something with a private owner online or through the newspaper, use common sense when safety is involved. It is often a good idea to take someone with you and meet the contact person in a public place.