A guide to puppy rescue

If you are an animal lover, it might seem like the ideal way to help out is to get an abandoned or abused puppy from the RSPCA. Pet rescue or pet adoption schemes are certainly a good way of helping the fight for animal rights, but it is not something to be taken lightly. So, what are the pitfalls,what do you need to think about and how do you go about getting a puppy from an animal home?

Are you realistic and ready?

Can you cope with a puppy? No matter how much you want to help the fight against animal abuse, getting a puppy is not for the unprepared. You must be sure that you have the space, time, love and knowledge to cope with a new puppy in the house. Puppies cannot be left alone for any amount of time, so you must make sure that there will always be someone home with it. Can you train a puppy? New puppies need to be trained on the basics of come, stay, drop etc. You need to have some experience or knowledge to be able to give your puppy the best start in life.

Finding your new puppy

Have realistic goals set Before you go for a puppy, you must consider certain rules, such as the size that the puppy will grow into, the age of the puppy, your preferred type or breed etc. Be firm on this before you go, and don't deviate. Once you are at the animal shelter, you are guaranteed to want to take everything you see home. This isn't realistic, so it is important that you have your rules set before you go looking. What you need to prove? Any animal adoption centre will want to ask you a few questions too, to make sure that the puppy isn't going to come back to them . If you rent your property, the centre will need a letter from the landlord stating that it is fine for you to have a pet in the property. They may ask you a number of questions about whether the puppy will be left alone and about your general knowledge. They may even want to make a home visit. Vaccinations and microchipping All adoption animals will have to be checked over by the vet and have it's inoculations up-to-date. Most charities also microchip the animal that you are taking home. So, if it goes missing, it can easily be tracked down. If you decide that having a puppy is too much work, then there are plenty of pet adoption schemes where you 'sponsor' the animal and get regular updates on its progress.