Every month, thousands of Aussie families find their new best friend on PetRescue.com.au. It’s a bit like an internet dating website – helping pets and pet seekers find their perfect match! And with more than 850 rescue groups, shelters and pounds across Australia listing their pets via PetRescue, there are thousands of adorable adoptable faces to choose from.

But before you start your search, take some time ask yourself these important questions.

Are you ready for a pet?  

Before you buy a pet you should ask yourself if you are prepared for the huge commitment of pet ownership. From the costs of food and bedding to vet bills, the expenses will add up and you’ll need to consider the time commitment for daily exercise too. Plus, if you’re thinking of adopting a puppy or kitten, you’ll need to find time for toilet training and puppy training – so make sure you are ready to make room in your life. Read our article about the questions to ask before pet adoption here.

How not to buy a dog

• Don’t buy a dog over the internet, newspaper ad or local advertisement without checking out the conditions that the mother and puppies have been living in;

• Don’t buy on impulse.

Designer breeds

These days buying a dog has become a bit of an ethical minefield. The latest trend for “designer breeds”, which mixes different breeds to create incredibly cute animals, has transformed the pet breeding industry. However not all puppy breeders are registered, and some “puppy factories” are run without care or concern for the animal’s welfare.

With prices for puppies in the hundreds or even thousands, dog breeding can be a lucrative trade. But if you don’t buy from a registered breeder, you run the risk of buying an animal that might develop behavioural and health issues down the track.

So it’s important when you buy a puppy to know where it comes from. The RSPCA has put out a buyers guide to help you find a puppy that comes from a good breeder, not a puppy farm.

So what’s a good breeder?

• They plan litters in advance, and find good homes for all puppies;

• Have a high standard of care for all animals;

• Are concerned about the welfare of their dogs;

• Can provide you with a complete history of the dog;

• Are happy to answer your questions;

• Breed happy healthy dogs free from genetic disorders;

• Provide references and guarantees;

The RSPCA suggests that the best way to ensure that your breeder is reputable is to visit the breeder, and meet the mother dog, in order to check that they are "happy and healthy".

Pet shelters

Before you buy a dog you should consider adopting a rescue pet from an animal shelter or rescue group instead. Animal shelters and rescue groups look after pets that are homeless through no fault of their own and find new, loving homes for them.

We love pet shelters and pet rescue groups. Their animals have hard a hard start in life, but they’re all ready for a new beginning.

How much does it cost?

Adopting a pet from a pet shelter may cost several hundred dollars. This covers the cost of preparing animals for new homes – including desexing, vaccination and health and behaviour checks to make sure it’s ready to start a new life. While costs vary around Australia, you can check out the prices of pet adoption in your area by visiting PetRescue here.

Don’t get carried away in the moment

Browsing the PetRescue pages for a new best friend is lots of fun, but make sure you stay focused on what will fit your lifestyle. It’s easy to get carried away and fall in love with a cute face, or be drawn to pair of sad eyes, but make sure you read the profile, or better still call the rescue group, to get a clear idea of the pet’s temperament and energy levels.

It can be very hard to resist getting lead by your heart, so always keep in mind what will best suit your family and lifestyle.