OTTAWA COUNTY, Michigan – Have you ever seen posts on social media that say, “I’m looking for black Labrador puppies, where do I go?” or “Does anyone know where I can find a Standard Poodle?”

This could lead you down a rabbit hole and fall victim to bad players.

Buyers beware! According to the Better Business Bureau, pet-related fraud accounted for 35% of scam reports last year.

But you are in luck, because it is possible to find purebred dogs in shelters and shelters across the country.

All you need is a little patience.

Maise, a purebred golden retriever, was adopted from a shelter by Harbor Humane Society executive director Jen Self-Aulgur.

“I recommend, especially if you’re looking for a specific breed, to know your local shelter,” Self-Aulgur said.

It is estimated that approximately 20-30% of all shelter dogs are purebred.

“Every month at least, we probably have about ten that pass. And that kind of ebb and flow,” Self-Aulgur said.

There are various reasons why a purebred dog may end up at the shelter, including financial ones.

“Sometimes we see medical issues where they can’t afford it, and they can report it. Sometimes we see breeders who, you know, they don’t want mothers anymore, and they turn them into a haven,” Self – said Aulgur.

This abandoned mother may be one of the dogs that produce litter after litter in a puppy mill or by a backyard breeder.

“I think people need to be aware of buying from a pet store or buying online. Typically these animals come from puppy mills,” Self-Aulgur said.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are approximately 10,000 active puppy mills in the United States.

The parents often suffer from starvation, are locked in small overcrowded cages and sleep in their own filth.

“Unfortunately, as with everything, there are a lot of bad players. And we always look to see if someone is breeding their dog, it should be for the betterment of the breed, not to make money,” Self said. -Aulgur.

Behavioral scientists say that if you are going to choose a breeder, do your research. Ask lots of questions and get a full medical history on the parents.

“Your breeder should welcome you to meet the parents of these dogs, they should be kept in the home, they should not be raised in a kennel or barn, even if they keep dogs,” said Jen Gavin, owner from A Pleasant Dog.

Don’t rule out your local shelter or rescue.

“I would recommend checking your local shelter first and seeing what they have. And then I highly recommend people do or go and use petfinder.com.

Browse pets for a network of over 11,500 shelters and rescues across the country.

On Petfinder, you can narrow your search by breed, age, size and more.

“I think the most important thing is to make sure your pup’s source is reliable. And to check with a third party like a vet or trainer, if you have any questions,” Gavin said.

There are also many breed-specific rescues, such as the Golden Retriever Rescue of Michigan and Allies for Greyhounds.

“They take a lot of specific breeds either from the public or they can transfer them from a shelter. And then those dogs are usually in a foster situation,” Self-Aulgur said.

It’s true, sometimes there are long wait times at shelters or sanctuaries for a popular breed, but adding a new family member who loves you unconditionally and saves a life is worth it.

►Make it easier to update with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.

Do you have a topical tip? E-mail [email protected]visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our Youtube channel.