First of all: "Rescuing" a puppy...
...is an honorable thing to do, and many dogs from animal welfare organizations are certainly lucky when they find a home with you. However, even a "rescued" puppy from a shelter is a living being that you should not take in out of pity. They all look cute and adorable, and yes, they are all looking for a warm basket. Still, a puppy from a shelter is still a puppy and needs →proper training, will test your nerves and even more patience and will present you with quite a few challenges.
So think carefully about whether you are ready for a puppy who may have already experienced quite a bit and will move in with some baggage. If the puppy is no longer so small and cute, difficulties can arise. If the humans can't handle this pressure, the four-legged friend quickly becomes a wanderer and ultimately gains nothing from being "rescued." Owning a dog comes with a certain responsibility, and before buying, you should always consider whether you are truly →ready for your own dog.
Puppy from animal welfare – shelter, animal home, foster home?
If you are interested in adopting a puppy from animal welfare, you have several options to find the right four-legged friend for you. First, you should consider whether you want to adopt a dog from abroad or would prefer a puppy who already lives near you and whom you can possibly meet in advance.
There are also dogs who are housed in animal shelters or shelters and those who live with foster families. Puppies in shelters are together with many other dogs and usually don't have it as nice as those placed with a foster family. Here, private individuals take care of the protégés and help them find a suitable home.
Whether from an animal shelter, breeder, or private seller – there are several things to consider when buying a puppy!
Adopting a puppy from a shelter
If you want to adopt a puppy from a shelter, you usually have to apply for the puppy and fill out a self-disclosure form. Often, a pre-inspection is also carried out, where a staff member from the shelter or animal welfare organization comes to your home and checks whether your information about your living situation is correct. Even though the animals are looking for a home, they are not simply handed over to just anyone.
If the little four-legged friend is in a shelter near you, you have the opportunity to arrange a visit with the shelter staff and get to know them. You might even be able to go for a walk together or play a little. It's important that you contact the shelter in advance and ask if the puppy is still looking for a home and can be visited. Just dropping by to look at the animals usually doesn't work, because a shelter is not a zoo and the dogs can only be visited by appointment.
Puppies from shelters or animal homes abroad are usually found through ads online. But even here, you should ask for several videos and photos of your desired puppy to be sent to you and take a close look at what the little one is like and what character traits you can expect.
Adopting a puppy from a foster home
Some puppies from animal welfare are with so-called foster families. These are usually private individuals who are willing to take in dogs from animal welfare until a suitable home is found for them. The advantage of a foster home is that the puppies receive much more individual care and can already learn a thing or two. The animals' personalities can also be assessed much better, as they live with the foster family for some time before being placed. However, keep in mind that even dogs in foster homes have often previously lived in a shelter and may have already experienced quite a bit.
If you are interested in a puppy from a foster family, you apply for them through the responsible animal welfare organization using a self-disclosure form. If everything fits, you can visit and get to know the puppy after coordinating with the foster family, ask all your questions, and simply see if the little puppy suits you. Since the foster families work with the animal welfare organizations, they will of course also have a few questions for you and, after meeting, will give their assessment of whether there is a connection between you and the puppy.
It's a match? Congratulations! Then spoil your new family member right from the start with our loving →starter kit. Delicious and healthy puppy food, a comfortable dog bed and a high-quality pair of leash and collar – everything you need for a →perfect puppy start!
Everything you need: Our starter kit for puppies
Attention! How to recognize reputable animal welfare organizations
Unfortunately, even with puppies from animal welfare, illegal puppy trading takes place. To make sure you don't accidentally support this animal cruelty, you should thoroughly →research the animal welfare organizations before adopting!
Important signs of a reputable animal welfare organization are:
The organization is registered and ideally non-profit. If this is the case, you will find the abbreviation "e.V." for "eingetragener Verein" (registered association) at the end of the organization's name. Also check the imprint of the website. Here you will also find information about non-profit status. Often, only German organizations active abroad are non-profit, as the law on non-profit status applies in Germany and Austria.
A well-maintained website and Facebook page are available. Posts and job listings are up to date.
There are testimonials and reviews on the internet and on social media.
The organization has animals of all ages, not just puppies. If puppies are offered for adoption, you should always ask about the mother animal. The goal of reputable animal welfare organizations should always be to take in the puppies together with their mother and, at the right time, also find a new home for the mother.
The organization is involved in other topics related to animal welfare and collects donations, for example, participates in projects, and provides educational work on the website.
Animals that are placed should all be vaccinated, microchipped, and tested for Mediterranean diseases beforehand. Also, →other diseases should not be hidden, but openly discussed. While this is rare in puppies, looking at other ads from the organization can show how they handle the topic.
All information about the animal, such as age, origin, character and traits, proof of medical history and vaccinations received should be included in the ad.
The puppy should when traveling not be younger than eight weeks, preferably not younger than 4 months. The reason for this is that animals from abroad are often weakened by malnutrition and health problems. In addition, the stress of the journey to Germany and the unfamiliar germs for the dog's body can be dangerous for most dogs, especially puppies.
A pre-inspection and, if necessary, a follow-up inspection is carried out. Reputable organizations take the time to get to know you and make sure what the potential new home for the animal looks like. For rental situations, some organizations even require written permission from the landlord to keep a pet.
The organization provides sufficient photos and videos of the animal. They are happy to answer all your questions and will send you more current and additional video material if needed.
The animal comes with a vaccination certificate and, if applicable, an EU pet passport.
There is a protection or purchase contract. The required adoption fee is reasonable and usually ranges between 200 and 400 euros. Reputable organizations strive to openly explain how the adoption fee is calculated in detail. In addition, a written transfer contract before taking in the animal is not uncommon to protect both parties.
Get informed about the animal welfare organization of your choice before adopting! Unfortunately, there are also many bad apples in animal welfare.
Possible challenges with a puppy from animal welfare
Puppies are a lot of work and you usually can't predict exactly how they will turn out – this applies to both animals from animal welfare and puppies from breeders. The difference, however, is that puppies from animal welfare usually had a rough start in life. Maybe they grew up without their mother, were found somewhere, suffered from illnesses or injuries, or are traumatized. All of this, of course, makes the puppy no less lovable, but these are simply special circumstances you may need to prepare for.
Especially →the first months of life are very formative for dogs. Depending on the animal's nature, some cope with their past better than others. So a puppy from animal welfare is a little surprise package. They can be easygoing and easy to handle or may require intensive →behavioral training. Of course, a puppy from a breeder can also develop behavioral issues, but in most cases, these are homemade problems. Either way, a puppy, no matter how cute, means a lot of work and you never know how much →training, patience, and time you'll need to put into their →training.
Puppies from international animal welfare can also bring along some →aches and illnesses with them. →Worms and →parasites sometimes come into the house unnoticed with the little ones. Also, →diarrhea can occur in the first few days. That's why you should have your puppy checked over once →by a veterinarian as soon as they move in and immediately switch to a →high-quality and healthy puppy food afterwards.
With our Pets Deli Junior food your little furry friend is provided with everything they need for healthy development. A special food for puppies is essential up to 12 months of age because young dogs in growth need a different composition of proteins and nutrients than adult dogs. The growth of bones, muscles, and organs is optimally supported.
Healthy from Day One: Our Junior Food for Your Puppy
Myth: Dogs from animal welfare are so grateful
Did you know that dogs cannot feel gratitude? They can only distinguish between things that are allowed (e.g., lying on the sofa) and things that are forbidden (e.g., lying in bed). Depending on whether you make an exception (e.g., on weekends the dog is allowed to snuggle in bed) they feel joy. However, a puppy from animal welfare will not feel deep gratitude just because they move in with you, that you "rescued" them and therefore be super well-behaved.
The fact is, when a dog is adopted, they are taken out of their natural environment and daily routine (no matter how sad it was) and uprooted and will at first be quite confused and maybe even insecure. We humans simply decided that the puppy will now live with you – and that's it. Some rescue dogs are, of course, happy to now have a warm bed, a full bowl, and more peace and cuddles. Others, however, may find it difficult because they may not know what an apartment is, are used to sleeping on hard floors, and find people pretty scary.
Additionally, many rescue dogs from abroad are not familiar with our daily life. They don't know busy streets, bicycles, train stations, elevators, vacuum cleaners, or rules, or how to orient themselves to someone. So don't be disappointed if your puppy is a bit shy and distant at first and doesn't immediately let you rub their belly out of gratitude.
Together through thick and thin – overcoming challenges builds trust and strengthens the bond between you and your dog!
Once your new friend has truly settled in, they will probably test boundaries and get up to some mischief – just as a carefree puppy should! Over time, you will certainly grow into a team together and every challenge you tackle together will strengthen your bond. And your dog will surely show you sooner or later that they are very happy to be part of your family.
