If you‘re considering adding a furry new family member, you might be wondering where to begin your search. As a major pet retailer, Petco is often one of the first places that comes to mind. But does Petco actually sell dogs and puppies? The short answer is no – but that doesn‘t mean Petco can‘t help you find your perfect canine companion. In fact, Petco has made pet adoption a key part of its mission and business model.
In this expert guide, we‘ll dive into everything you need to know about adopting a dog or puppy through Petco. We‘ll explore how Petco‘s adoption process works, why the company has chosen not to sell puppies, and how you can prepare to bring your new best friend home. Plus, we‘ll share some eye-opening statistics about pet homelessness and puppy mills that illustrate why adoption is so important.
How Pet Adoption Works at Petco
While you won‘t find dogs or puppies for sale at Petco stores or on Petco‘s website, you will find something even better – the chance to adopt a pet in need. Petco has established partnerships with thousands of local animal welfare organizations across the country. These include city and county animal shelters, humane societies, rescue groups, and more.
Through these partnerships, Petco provides space in select stores for adoptable pets to stay. Petco also hosts special adoption events, fundraisers, and promotions to help more shelter pets find loving homes. In 2020 alone, the Petco Foundation helped facilitate more than 600,000 pet adoptions – that‘s nearly 4 lives saved every minute!
So how does the adoption process work? Here are the key steps:
-
Search for adoptable pets near you. Visit the Petco adoption portal and enter your zip code to view dogs, puppies, cats, kittens and other adoptable animals at Petco store locations near you. You can filter your search by species, breed, age, size, color and gender.
-
Learn more about pets you‘re interested in. When you find an animal you‘re interested in adopting, click on their profile to read more about their background, personality, and needs. You‘ll also find contact information for the shelter or rescue group who is facilitating the adoption.
-
Contact the adoption partner. Reach out to the shelter or rescue group directly to ask questions and express your interest in adopting. Each organization has its own adoption procedures and requirements, which may include an application, interview, home visit, and more.
-
Finalize the adoption. Once you‘re approved to adopt, you‘ll pay an adoption fee and sign an adoption contract. This legally transfers ownership of the pet to you. Adoption fees at Petco typically range from $50 to $500, depending on the animal and the adoption partner‘s policies. This fee often covers spaying/neutering, microchipping, initial vaccines, and other veterinary care.
-
Bring your new pet home! With the adoption complete, you can bring your new dog or puppy home to start your life together. Petco offers a variety of supplies, services, and resources to support new pet parents, which we‘ll cover in more detail later on.
It‘s important to note that adopting a pet is a lifelong commitment. Dogs and puppies require significant time, energy, attention, and financial resources. The adoption process is designed to ensure that each pet goes to a home that is prepared to meet their needs. Reputable shelters and rescue groups aim to make the best matches possible for the long-term wellbeing of pets and their new families.
Why Doesn‘t Petco Sell Puppies?
You might be wondering why Petco has chosen to focus on pet adoptions rather than puppy sales. After all, selling puppies could be a lucrative business model. However, Petco has taken a strong ethical stance against the commercial breeding industry – and with good reason. Let‘s explore some of the key issues.
The Problem with Puppy Mills
Many pet stores that sell puppies source them from commercial breeders known as puppy mills. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) defines puppy mills as "a large-scale commercial dog breeding facility where profit is given priority over the well-being of the dogs."
Dogs in puppy mills often live in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions without adequate veterinary care, food, water, or socialization. Breeding dogs are kept in small cages and forced to reproduce repeatedly without rest between litters. Puppies born in these conditions often suffer from health and behavioral issues due to genetic defects, lack of early socialization, and the trauma of transport from mill to store.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates that there are at least 10,000 puppy mills in the U.S., fewer than 3,000 of which are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This means that most puppy mills operate without federal oversight and with little to no regard for the wellbeing of animals.
Unfortunately, pet stores remain a major sales channel for puppy mills. The ASPCA notes that "responsible breeders will not sell their puppies to pet stores because they want to meet their puppy buyers in person." By cutting off this pipeline and refusing to sell puppies, Petco aims to put pressure on the puppy mill industry and discourage inhumane breeding practices.
The Scope of Pet Homelessness
In addition to taking a stand against puppy mills, Petco has chosen to focus on pet adoptions because of the staggering number of homeless animals in the U.S. According to the ASPCA, approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters every year, including about 3.1 million dogs.
While the number of dogs and cats euthanized in shelters has declined significantly in recent years thanks to increased adoption and spay/neuter efforts, an estimated 390,000 shelter dogs are still euthanized each year because of overcrowding and lack of adoptive homes.
By partnering with shelters and promoting adoption, Petco is working to reduce these numbers and save more lives. The company has made adoption a key part of its corporate social responsibility efforts. Since 1999, the Petco Foundation has invested more than $300 million to support lifesaving animal welfare work and help more than 6.5 million pets find loving homes.
Petco‘s adoption centers also provide much-needed visibility for shelter pets. With nearly 1,500 retail locations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Petco can introduce adoptable animals to a wide audience of potential adopters who might not otherwise visit their local shelter.
How to Prepare for Adopting a Dog or Puppy
Adopting a dog or puppy is a major decision that requires careful consideration and preparation. Before beginning the adoption process, it‘s important to do your research and make sure you‘re ready for the commitment. Here are some key factors to consider:
-
Lifestyle and living situation: Think about how much space, time, and energy you have to devote to a pet. Different dogs have different needs in terms of exercise, grooming, training, and veterinary care. Consider factors like your work schedule, travel habits, hobbies, and living arrangements (e.g. house vs. apartment, young children, other pets).
-
Age and size of dog: Puppies require more intensive training, socialization, and supervision than adult dogs. They may also be more destructive and have more accidents in the house. On the other hand, adult and senior dogs may already be housetrained and have some basic obedience skills. Consider whether you have the patience and flexibility for a puppy or would prefer a more low-key adult dog.
-
Breed characteristics: Different dog breeds have different typical traits, such as energy level, grooming needs, and potential health issues. However, every dog is an individual, and breed alone doesn‘t determine temperament. Mixed breed dogs can also inherit a combination of traits from their parents‘ breeds. Research different breeds to get a sense of what might be a good fit for your lifestyle.
-
Budget: Adopting a dog is a long-term financial commitment. In addition to the adoption fee, ongoing expenses include food, toys, bedding, grooming, preventative medications, and routine and emergency veterinary care. Make a realistic budget to ensure you can provide for your new pet‘s needs over their lifetime.
-
Supplies: Before bringing your new dog or puppy home, stock up on essential supplies like food and water bowls, a leash and collar, ID tag, comfortable bed, crate or gate (for house training/safety), grooming tools, toys, and training treats. Petco offers a new dog shopping checklist to help you prepare.
-
Training and socialization: Dogs need positive, reward-based training to learn house rules, basic obedience, and good manners. Socialization is also critical, especially for puppies, to help them become well-adjusted and confident in a variety of settings. Enroll in a training class, read training books, and create a socialization plan.
-
Veterinary care: Establish a relationship with a veterinarian right away. Follow your vet‘s recommendations for vaccinations, parasite prevention, dental care, spaying/neutering, microchipping, and wellness exams. Keep your dog up to date on all preventative care to ensure a long, healthy life.
-
Commitment: Last but certainly not least, make sure you are prepared to commit to your new dog for their entire lifetime. Dogs can live anywhere from 10 to 20 years depending on their size and breed. They will need your love, care, and attention throughout all their life stages.
Supporting Petco‘s Adoption Efforts
In addition to adopting through Petco‘s in-store adoption centers, there are many other ways you can support the company‘s efforts to promote adoption and animal welfare. Here are a few ideas:
-
Donate to the Petco Foundation. The Petco Foundation is a nonprofit organization that partners with Petco to raise funds for animal welfare initiatives. Donations support adoption events, spay/neuter programs, veterinary care, disaster relief, and more. You can donate online, by mail, or at the register at any Petco store.
-
Shop at Petco. When you buy pet food, supplies, and services at Petco, a portion of your purchase supports the Petco Foundation‘s lifesaving work. Petco also offers a variety of promotions and discounts for new pet parents who have recently adopted.
-
Volunteer at a local adoption event. Petco stores regularly host adoption events in partnership with local shelters and rescue groups. Volunteers are often needed to help with setup, cleanup, and interacting with potential adopters. Contact your local store or adoption partner to learn about volunteer opportunities.
-
Foster a pet. If you‘re not ready to adopt but still want to help homeless pets, consider becoming a foster parent. Many shelters and rescue groups need temporary homes for pets who are awaiting adoption. Petco partners with organizations like Fostering Hope to provide supplies and support for foster families.
-
Spread the word. Follow Petco and the Petco Foundation on social media and share their adoption stories, success stories, and calls to action. Encourage your friends and family members to consider adoption when looking for a new pet. Together, we can help more pets find the loving homes they deserve.
The Bottom Line
Petco‘s decision not to sell dogs and puppies, but rather to focus on adoption partnerships and animal welfare initiatives, is a commendable one. By taking a stand against puppy mills and promoting adoption, Petco is helping to combat pet homelessness, reduce shelter overcrowding and euthanasia rates, and discourage inhumane breeding practices.
Of course, adopting a pet is a big decision that requires careful consideration and commitment. But for those who are ready to open their hearts and homes to a furry new family member, adopting through Petco can be a rewarding way to make a difference.
Whether you adopt, donate, volunteer, or simply spread the word, supporting Petco‘s adoption efforts helps give deserving pets a second chance at a happy life. As Petco often says, "Think adoption first." With millions of homeless dogs and puppies waiting for their forever homes, adoption truly is the best option.
