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American Kennel Club vs PetSmart

Thursday, September 19th

2024 Pet Adoption Site Reviews

American Kennel Club Review 4 Star Rating

American Kennel Club

4 Star Rating
  • Lists AKC registered puppies from breeders
  • Provides detailed information about each breeder, including qualifications, awards, and "puppy perks"
  • Breeders can earn badges indicating high standards and commitment to health and education
  • Post-adoption perks include 30 days of free pet insurance, lifetime enrollment in a lost pet recovery service, and a helpful handbook for your new puppy
  • Offers lifelong registration with the AKC, with access to a supportive community
  • Especially useful for those specifically seeking a purebred dog

The American Kennel Club Marketplace is a great place to find registered puppies from breeders. You can easily choose your preferred breed and connect directly with the breeders, who are often recognized for their high standards. However, remember to do your own research as any breeder can advertise here and AKC doesn't guarantee their reputability. Once you've chosen your puppy, you get to enjoy a host of post-adoption perks like a free trial of pet insurance and a lost pet recovery service. While we usually recommend shelter/rescue adoption, if you're specifically looking for a purebred puppy, the AKC Marketplace is a solid starting point.

PetSmart Review 2.5 Star Rating

PetSmart

2.5 Star Rating
  • Pricing may vary, sometimes higher than direct shelter adoption
  • Has facilitated over 10 million pet adoptions since 1994
  • Offers adoption of a variety of animals including cats, dogs, reptiles, and small mammals
  • Allows for in-person meetings with potential pets at in-store events, including their National Adoption Week
  • Filters available for age, breed, color, distance, size, gender
  • Includes detailed bios for pets that often contain information on special needs and activity levels

Through PetSmart, you can hypothetically adopt not only cats and dogs, but also other animals like reptiles and small mammals, though their search and browsing system could use some refining. The text sizing on their website may test your patience, and while you can filter your search by age, breed, color, distance, size, and gender, they lack filters for special needs or activity levels. Excitingly, you can meet potential pets at in-store adoption events. However, be aware that PetSmart's adoption fees might be higher than direct shelter adoption for the same animal. PetSmart's adoption service is a good starting point, but you may find other sites more user-friendly.

What Are the Best Pet Adoption Sites?

Whether you're a parent looking for a gentle family dog who's good with kids, a single college grad looking for a cat to cozy up to while working remote, or a rare reptile enthusiast, online pet adoption sites can help you find the perfect pet for you without having to leave your home.

These sites provide a vast selection of animals from various shelters, rescues, and private owners, all in one place. That means you won't have to visit multiple shelters, which can be time-consuming and emotionally taxing. Also, these sites typically provide detailed information about each animal's background, health, and behavior, which is important for making an informed adoption decision.

The Best Pet Adoption Sites Compare Pet Adoption Sites Compare Pet Adoption Site Reviews What are the best Pet Adoption Sites Best Pet Adoption Site Reviews

Pet Adoption Site FAQ

Choose a pet adoption site that offers the selection of animals relevant to you, whether that's dogs, cats, birds, or possibly more exotic pets like reptiles, amphibians, or farm animals. Be sure the site provides detailed information about each animal's background, health, and behavior to help you make an informed decision.
While online adoption sites provide health details and the pet's history, remember that they usually rely on shelters, rescues, or private owners for these details and aren't directly responsible for their accuracy. It's a good idea to contact the current caretaker directly for the most recent health updates and possibly request a vet's certification.
The potential for a trial period or the ability to return a pet if the adoption doesn't go as planned is typically determined by the individual shelter or owner listing the pet, not the adoption site itself. That means you'll need to understand the specific policies of the person or place you're adopting from, since these policies are not standard across the board and the pet adoption website can't vouch for a pet's suitability.
Costs may include an adoption fee, which often covers veterinary checks like vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and sometimes microchipping. Additional costs can include transportation if the pet is not local. Always confirm all fees before finalizing the adoption.
The process generally starts with you browsing available pets and selecting one that meets your criteria. You'll likely need to fill out an application, undergo a vetting process, and possibly meet the pet in person before you can finalize the adoption.
While adoptions can be successful without a prior physical meeting, it's a good idea to meet the pet if possible, or at least have a virtual interaction. If you already have other pets, find out if you can bring them along to see if they get along with their proposed new sibling.
Prepare your home with all necessary supplies such as a bed, food, toys, and grooming tools. You'll also need to plan for an adjustment period to help the pet get comfortable in its new environment. Many pet adoption websites publish articles about this process.
Do your homework on the site to check its reputation and read reviews from other users. Sites that are associated with established animal welfare organizations or that provide transparent information and support throughout the adoption process are generally more reliable.
Compare the Best Reviews

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However, not all pet adoption sites are the same. Some specialize in specific types of animals, often dogs and cats, while others might focus on rescues or purebreds. Some of them include birds, rodents, amphibians, reptiles, and even farm animals.

There are also differences in the services they offer. For instance, a couple of sites offer support throughout the adoption process, including tips for first-time owners and post-adoption care, while others simply act as a listing service. Pet adoption websites typically can't be held responsible if you have a negative interaction with someone using their platform to list a pet, so be sure to do your own research on who you're adopting from.

When looking for the right pet adoption site, consider the following:

  • Type of pets available. Are you looking for a dog, cat, bird, or maybe a more exotic pet? Most sites focus on cats and dogs, and the ones that offer atypical pets may not have many listed at all times. Find out if you can sign up for notifications when pets meeting your criteria are listed.
  • Adoption support and resources. Does the site walk you through the adoption process? Some websites offer articles and resources to help you before, during, and after adoption.
  • User interface and search functionality. Is the site easy to navigate? Can you easily expand the area of your search and filter pets according to your criteria?

Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the best Pet Adoption Sites available. We hope this review helps you find the best service for you, ensuring that you and your new pet start off on the right paw!

The Best Reviews of Pet Adoption Sites