Some pet stores provide pet adoption services and allow you to adopt pets such as dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, hamsters, and rabbits. These pet stores often provide online listings showing pets that are available for adoption, and view the pets via a searchable database. Some pet stores host regular adoption events, as well.

What is the difference between pet buying and adoption?

The key difference between pet buying and adoption concerns cost, and adoption is much less expensive than purchasing a pet. With dogs and cats, buying a pet can cost upward of $500, while adoption usually costs between $40-$400. The other difference concerns the age of the animal. With pet buying, you're usually purchasing a young animal that might need to be housebroken. Adoption allows you to acquire an older animal that may need less training. Finally, adoption allows you to save an animal that may otherwise have been euthanized.

What types of animals do pet stores sell?

Pet stores sell a wide range of animals. The list includes small animals such as ferrets, chinchillas, mice, rats, and hamsters. You can get dogs and cats, as well as birds such as conures, parakeets, and finches. You can also purchase a wide range of reptiles including frogs, toads, lizards, snakes, turtles, and tortoises. Finally, many pet stores sell a broad assortment of fish and marine animals, including guppies, crabs, shrimps, swordtails, sharks, eels, gouramis, and angelfish.

How much does it cost to buy a puppy?

The cost of buying a puppy will depend on whether the puppy is being obtained from a breeder or a pet store. Adoption is another option. Though you aren't technically buying a puppy when you adopt, many animal shelters and pet stores that offer puppies for adoption charge fees that require some cash outlay. Purchasing a puppy from a breeder: Purchasing a purebred puppy from a reputable breeder can cost anywhere from $500 to several-thousand dollars, depending on the breed of puppy being purchased. Purchasing a puppy from a pet store: Some pet stores sell puppies, and they can cost upward of $1,000. It is not recommended that you purchase your animals from this source. Many of these puppies are raised in inhumane conditions that can leave the animals with illnesses that can cost you money in the long run. Adopting a puppy from a pet store or animal shelter: If you're adopting a dog from a shelter or a pet store, you might be charged adoption fees that can cost $40-$400. These fees cover expenses such as spaying, neutering, vaccinations, and medical treatment.

Do pet stores buy puppies?

Many pet stores buy puppies, and they are typically purchased from commercial facilities that view puppies as inventory. These facilities are commonly referred to as puppy mills, and many are known to house animals in inhumane conditions. Responsible breeders typically do not sell to puppy stores, since many breed clubs prohibit this practice. Some pet stores offer puppies for adoption. These puppies have not been purchased. They are rescue puppies that have been acquired by the pet store from animal shelters.

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