As hard as all those late-night feedings were, you\u2019ll find the hardest part still lies ahead of you. Right now, your puppy\u2019s little life is a one big question mark. And you have to find the answers for him, or at least you have to find his forever home.<\/p>\n
Before you give him to a stranger in a parking lot, or put a \u201cFree to good home\u201d ad in the local newspaper or on Craigslist.com, examine all of your other options. You spent a lot of time, effort and money raising him. You want to find him the happiest home possible. Contact your local pet supply store and ask for a list of rescue groups or go to Petfinder<\/a> to find shelters in your area.<\/p>\n Be forewarned: during the spring and summer months, shelters are up to their whiskers in puppies. No-kill facilities are usually full. If you leave your baby at a shelter that euthanizes, you must face the unfortunate possibility that he might be put to sleep for lack of cage space. Always ask about the shelter\u2019s euthanasia policy.<\/p>\n Talk to smaller area rescue groups. They often have no kennel facility; volunteers foster animals in their homes. On specific days the foster family brings their puppy to a pet supply store, shopping mall and other public places to make him available for adoption. These groups usually have stringent adoption policies requiring the animals to live inside. Most of these organizations don\u2019t euthanize unless the dog has been badly injured or is sick. As with no-kill shelters, foster homes are usually full. Smaller rescues may accept your puppy into the program if you agree to take care of him in your home until he\u2019s adopted.<\/p>\n Ask the shelter or facility:<\/p>\n If you have to find a family on your own, you need to get the word out and then, ask a lot of questions. Put signs up in places where animal people go: vet clinics, pet stores, grooming salons and animal shelters. You can also put a notice up at grocery stores, fitness centers and churches. The more places you post your signs, the more people you\u2019ll have to screen.<\/p>\n Before making your puppy available, have it spayed or neutered. You can get a low-cost or no-cost procedure though many humane societies or animal shelters. This assures that he won\u2019t be producing unwanted puppies in the future; he\u2019ll also make a better, more relaxed pet. When you find someone who passes your test questions, ask him or her to compensate you for at least part of the money you spent. If someone pays a token fee, there will be a stronger commitment to the puppy.<\/p>\n Also, not everyone who responds has your puppy\u2019s best interest at heart. People answer \u201cfree to good home\u201d ads for all kinds of unsavory reasons: snake food, dog fighting bait, or laboratory test subjects. Ask a lot of questions. Follow your instinct. You are not obligated to hand over your baby just because someone shows interest. If the person is vague or evasive about where they live or other pets they\u2019ve owned, look out. Ask:<\/p>\n Draw up a contract. Ask to see identification and get a phone number. Legitimate adopters shouldn\u2019t mind your caution. Assure them you want to hear from them.<\/p>\n When the time comes, kiss your baby and send him off to a wonderful new life he wouldn\u2019t have had without you.<\/p>\n\n
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