I can't believe he's a purebred!

A Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy recently rescued from Dallas Animal Services shelter

There's a common misperception about that if you are looking for a specific breed of dog or cat for your next pet, you should contact a breeder or buy your new companion from a pet store.

But did you know that fully a quarter of the animals in shelters are pure bred? And that's in addition to the multitude of breed-specific rescue groups around the country who are always at capacity, desperately trying to find homes for the animals they have rescued from abandonment, abuse or saved from the dreaded euthanasia needle at a shelter.

In fact many less reputable breeders who are selling their animals for a huge premium will dump unsold "inventory" on the shelter system, contributing to the problem of shelter overcrowding that results in thousands of animals being euthanized every year.

While there are good, trustworthy breeders out there, recent reports by the Humane Society, Oprah Winfrey and PETA show that the majority of animals sold in pet stores, over the internet and through classified advertisements come from "puppy mills" - commercial breeding facilities that see animals as pure commodities for profit generation. The breeding stock live in often inhumane conditions, caged and bred repeatedly until they can't bear any more and are killed or dumped on a shelter. The litters are sold to credulous people who are taken in by a cute, furry baby-face or dumped when they can't sell.

Often people feel that you don't know what you are getting with a rescue animal. In fact, if the animal is being fostered by a rescue organization or staying any amount of time at a good shelter, they have mostly likely been fully vetted and trained, and the volunteers and staff will know if the animal is good with children, good with other dogs or cats, housebroken, etc. On the other hand, pets bought from pet stores and unregistered breeders often have behavioral and health problems that might not be apparent for months —problems that can cost thousands of dollars to treat, if they are treatable at all.

A pet store purchase has helped to unnecessarily perpetuate a system of cruelty and exploitation, whereas adopting a rescued animal is doing something good in a world that could sure do with it! And, as with responsible breeders, a good rescue always takes their dogs or cats back if there is a problem.

Ultimately one of the smartest way to get a new pet - whether you want a specific breed or a mutt - is to adopt. By choosing not to buy from disreputable breeders, you'll get an animal that has been vetted, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and most importantly you'll save a life.

Contact your local animal shelter, search the American Kennel Club site or look for a purebred cat rescue group - you could make the ultimate bargain: get a pure bred pet for less than it costs to buy from a puppy mill or pet shop and save a life!