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Hello, I am stationed in Germany (more specifically Ansbach), and I want to adopt a kitten or puppy.?

I know that there are a lot of animal shelters, but I do not know the fees, or whether or not they will allow Americans to adopt animals. If not, I would love to buy a Scottish Terrier or a Pug (Mops), but I have no idea where to look for local breeders. I tried a local German newspaper online, but I am not sure that they have listings of dogs in their classifieds like Americans do? I also looked on the German version of the AKC, but couldn't find any actual listings of breeders... so I am not quite sure how to go about this all. Any detailed help would be appreciated.

Public Comments

1. Sure they will allow an American to adopt why wouldn't they?? The fees vary from shelter to shelter a friend of mine recently paid 300 € also in the state of Bavaria. If you search for breeders I d just enter the city and ''Hundezüchter'' in Googel and you will get plenty of results. Also you can check for ''Hundeschulen'' or ''Hundevereine'' etc they can help you by giving you info if a breeder is known to them and has good reputation.
2. > I am not sure that they have listings of dogs in their classifieds like Americans do? You are right in that: They mostly don't. Breeders have their own magazines (I know there are some, but can't tell you either print titles nor web pages, as I'm not in that business) or sell their puppies to people they already know. Maybe you should look in the yellow pages for a "Hundezuchtverein" or "Hundezüchterverein" (dog breeders' association) in your area if you want a real pedigree dog. Animal shelters will sure allow you to adopt an animal, but they mostly don't know if it's of a specific race or just "street-bred". But would you really care whether it's a "thoroughbred" or just a "might-be Mops"? Whichever way you decide, when you adopt an animal, you and the animal will be registered in a database, and the animal will get an RFID chip implanted (a rather painless procedure) which will make it identifiable to any vet throughout Europe. You'll also get a "pet pass" for the animal with you, which basically is the old "vaccination pass": It allows your pet to travel freely with you within Europe as long as it has all the necessary vaccinations prescribed in the country you want to travel to. (It was the British who used to put dogs in quarantine for as long as six weeks; European legislation and the pet pass helped avoid this.) Another thing you maybe should keep in mind: Never try LOCAL newspapers online in Germany. Rather buy their Saturday issue in print and read the classifieds, or get in touch with locals who may know someone who knows someone who knows. If cost does matter to you: A breeder will charge you maybe 300 euros onwards. A shelter will not charge you anything, but ask for a donation.