How I tell friends to adopt or “shop” their next dog

First published in August 2023 and last updated in July 2024.

Should you get a puppy or adult dog? Adopt or shop? Visit your local shelter or search for a more specific rescue? Foster a new dog first or sign an adoption contract right away?

As the resident “dog nerd” among my friends and family, here are some questions I personally go through when someone tells me they’re looking for a new dog.

When I’ve given these recommendations to people I know, it has been when directly asked. This post is not meant to assert what you should do in every situation—but rather to share my thought process both 1) because I find joy in organizing things like this and 2) in case it’s helpful as a starting point.

Related reading: For a deep dive into my thoughts on ethical breeding and rescuing as a whole, including things I look for in both breeders and shelters, head to our “Adopt or Shop Responsibly” article.