What is the best way to place puppies?

theturboexpress · 05-15-2007, 03:50 PM

You can read about the situation in this thread: http://www.dogforums.com/13-dog-heal...html#post71897 (Pregnancy lasting too long? When to call the vet..., plus a lot of other questions)

for background information. Eventually, my neighbor will have several german/collie mix puppies to find homes for and I plan to help him with the process. What is the best way to place "free" puppies to make sure they are well cared for by responsible people? Should an adoption fee be charged and if so, how much? I also had an idea that I am wondering is feasible or not. If the puppies were micro chipped with my neighbor's phone-number or my phone-number before being placed, then they would hopefully come back to us if they ever ended up in a shelter during their lives. Do you think that could work?

lovemygreys · 05-15-2007, 04:50 PM

I would spay/neuter them before adopting them out and require adopters to retur the dog to you if they need to give it up at any time in the future.

Whether or not you charge an adoption fee is up to you, though generally things that are free to begin with are easier to toss aside for some people. Personally, I'd charge an adoption fee.

BoxMeIn21 · 05-15-2007, 04:58 PM

I agree - I would figure out how much it would be per pup for at least 2 rounds of shots, deworming, microchips, spay/neuter, plus your costs for their care and charge that for the adoption fee. Most rescues i've seen charge anywhere from 175-300 for a pup (no matter what the mix). I would certainly have you listed as the first contact on the microchip.

theturboexpress · 05-15-2007, 05:04 PM

Spay/Neuter before adoption - very good idea and I will start now to make sure it happens. There is a spay assistance program in this area, but it takes time b/c of a waiting list. I am so glad you brought the subject up, b/c I hadn't even thought about it yet. If I get him on the list now, he can probably have a really good shot at spay/neuter assistance by the time the puppies are ready. Also, they should have shots, right? I had actually thought about an adoption agreement too, but my concern is whether or not the adopter would actually follow through on it. What if they lost the contact information or forgot about the agreement or gave the dog to a friend/family member who had no clue about the original agreement? I was thinking a microchip is something set in stone that no-one can lose and would guarantee the dog returned to us if it found it's way to a shelter. Do you think it's more overkill than likely to help?