So you have decided to buy a pet! You need special Siamese cat or a boxer which you could not find at the adoption agency. Buyer beware!
The humane society warns people about the inhumane conditions under which many of the animals sold in pet stores are raised under. Breeders and pet retailers do this for a profit. The information they provide may not always be correct and in many cases information is falsified to encourage you to buy the pet.
The Internet is replete with virtual pet websites where you can go online and check out your dream pet. But what you see is not always what you get. Animals that are kept in pet stores have to be fed, cleaned and cared for. The longer the pet store has to maintain the pet, the more it costs them and the less profit they will make. For this reason, other arrangements are often made that make it inconvenient for you to see your favorite pet or to view the available options.
The Humane Society and the SPCA warn buyers who are looking for pets to consider other alternatives before deciding to buy from a retail store. First check out the adoption options available in your community. They sometimes have a listing of people who have pets they would like to give away. This is often a good option if you can find someone with the pet you would like to have. Ask your friends if they know anyone who may have pets to give away. Sometimes pet owners end up with babies they don’t need or are unable to accommodate. They are often glad if someone comes around to take them off their hands. This is a good option because they would be able to give you a full tutorial on how to care for the pet as they have the knowledge and experience. If there are breeders in your area, it may be worth contacting them also. Going to the retail store is an option for other pets like fish, chipmunks and smaller types.
Visit the humane society http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_adoption_information/ and other websites before deciding. Do your homework before you commit to getting that cute pet!