II WANT A PUPPY - WHERE TO START?

If you’re thinking about getting a puppy, a great place to start is by checking with local adoption agencies and pet rescue organizations. There are always unwanted animals in need of loving hearts and homes, and that is unfortunate. Adoption is a compassionate option to consider first. Speak with the people working and helping at these non-profit groups, ask about the dogs available, learn about their temperaments, and arrange to visit the facility or hosts to meet the animals in person.

When adopting a rescued dog, it’s important to have realistic expectations. In the UAE, it’s unlikely to find an unwanted purebred puppy due to the high cost of importing dogs, so don’t have your expectations set to get Bichon Frise or Cocker Spaniel. However, if you’re looking for a pet companion and understand the challenges of rehabilitation a rescued animal, adoption can be incredibly rewarding. If you have the extra patience and the time – then take a chance to save a life! Rescued animals are not always easy to understand and to heal their emotional wounds, they may come with emotional scars and behavioural issues, they may be disruptive, overwhelming, too loud or too shy or even snappy. But how many chances do we get to save a life? So, if you are an easy-going person, responsible to understand that this is a dog’s life-long commitment for you – choose this option.

If you’ve previously explored adoption, but feel it’s not the right fit for you and your family, you may consider purchasing a suitable breed puppy, bred and raised by committed to ethics breeder. At this time, go ahead and check the local pet shops. Even if browsing through puppies of local pet stores only reconfirms that they are from puppy mills or dodgy commercial multi-breed “breeders”, this experience can help you gain a perspective on different breeds and raise ethical breeding questions and hints.

Keep in mind that puppies at a pet store may not display typical breed traits or good health, so it’s essential to do thorough research.  To gather valuable insights when visiting local pet shops, consider asking the staff a few simple key questions. Asking these questions will help you make an informed and ethical decision when choosing a puppy from a responsible breeder.

• Puppy's background: Where does the puppy come from? What is its temperament? Is the stated age accurate?
• Puppy's parents: Are there photos of the parents? Are pedigree documents or genetic test results available?
• Breeder's background: Is the breeder a family or an individual? Do they have children or only adults in their household? Who spends time with the puppies? Do they live in a busy city, the suburbs, or the countryside? What is their profession?
• Passport verification: Compare the passports of different puppy breeds to check the breeder’s details. Ensure the puppy’s real age matches the one listed on the passport. An incorrect age could mean inaccurate or falsified vaccination records, which may affect the puppy’s health.

When comparing the passports of different puppy breeds, pay close attention to the breeder's details. If multiple puppies, especially of different breeds, are registered under the same person or company, it could be a red flag. Ethical breeders typically specialize in specific breeds and focus on responsible breeding practices, rather than mass-producing puppies for sale. If the breeder’s name appears across multiple breeds or a large number of puppies, it may indicate a commercial or high-volume breeder, which can raise concerns about the puppies’ welfare and living conditions. Always verify the breeder's credibility before making a decision.

Understanding that most puppies sold in the UAE do not come from reputable breeders can be a powerful realization. This knowledge arms you with the confidence to make an ethical choice to search for a puppy from genuine and trusted breeder. Use your visit to gather questions and concerns you can raise when seeking a reputable breeder—especially those questions pet shop staff might not answer clearly.

Most importantly, please resist the urge to buy a puppy out of pity from a pet shop. Doing so only contributes to a cycle of cruelty and exploitation. Every puppy purchase from an unethical source helps sustain these harmful practices and fuel mass breeding of puppies in despicable conditions.

Now is the perfect time to reach out to us! We’re here to answer all your questions and clear up any doubts, often with direct insights from the breeders. If you’ve already chosen your perfect breed puppy - that’s fantastic! If not, don’t worry, we’ll help you find the ideal companion based on your needs, preferences, and lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for a playful, energetic pup for your kids or a calm, affectionate canine family memebr, we’ll guide you to the right match. Finding a litter from the right breeder for any breed is possible, though it may take a bit longer, as ethical and trusted breeders prioritise quality over quantity and don’t breed as frequently as puppy mills. But the wait is worth it - the puppy you bring home from a genuine breeder will be healthier, happier, and raised with care and love, making every effort worthwhile!

- Written by Natalia Dolidze, founder and former owner of Pets Habitat LLC, now assisting UAE residents in ethically sourcing their ideal canine companion from responsible breeders in Italy.