If you have decided to get a dog, you can of course go to a breeder. Apart from that, dogs from animal shelters or from abroad are also an option.
The latter possibility is used by more and more animal lovers who want to offer a neglected dog from another country the chance of a nice life.
While this is a good thing in principle, it also carries the risk of inadvertently supporting unscrupulous puppy traders in their business.
How you can avoid this and which legal framework conditions you have to observe when adopting a four-legged friend are explained below.
There is of course no doubt that life in a shelter is not pleasant for any dog. However, living conditions abroad are often much worse. For in some countries, overcrowding in animal shelters is part of everyday life. In addition, killing stations and mistreatment of street dogs are sometimes commonplace.
A loving new owner from abroad is therefore often the only way out for affected dogs. Despite sometimes very bad experiences, experience shows that dogs adopted from abroad usually manage to get used to their new environment quite well.
With a little patience and experience, it is usually only a matter of time before the four-legged friends learn that from now on they no longer need to be afraid of people and that their new owner only wants the best for them.
Of course, it is commendable if you decide to adopt a foreign dog. However, when looking for an intermediary, you should be careful not to end up with a puppy trader.
Unfortunately, many providers only want to enrich themselves and do not care about the welfare of their puppies, which are bred under more than questionable conditions.
Especially if the dog is not already in a foster home in Germany and you are limited to contact by email and phone, it is very important to be vigilant.
Experience has shown that it is not always easy to distinguish reputable intermediaries for dogs from abroad from dubious providers. Nevertheless, some points can help you to assess the seriousness of your contacts.
If your counterpart only wants to earn money, he most likely doesn't care at all whether you are a suitable dog owner and can offer the four-legged friend a nice home.
With a reputable animal welfare organisation, on the other hand, things look different. On the one hand, they will answer all your questions in detail and on the other hand, you can be sure that you will receive a visit before the dog is handed over, as they would like to get a picture of the four-legged friend's new home themselves.
When buying a dog from abroad, bear in mind that you have to observe some legal requirements. This applies both to dogs from animal welfare organisations and to a puppy that you have bought from a reputable breeder abroad.
Please also note that the import of certain dog breeds is generally prohibited. In Germany, for example, this applies to pit bull terriers.
If you have decided to get a dog and the move-in of your four-legged friend is imminent, you have to take care of the purchase of the initial equipment. After all, your four-legged friend should want for nothing in his new home.
In addition to accessories such as a leash, a dog bed as well as a food bowl and toys, a supply of food for the first few days is of course also one of the things you must get in any case.
To not put additional stress on your stressed four-legged friend, we advise you to start with his usual dog food. After your dog has become accustomed to the food, you can gradually switch to Bellfor products and contribute to the optimal well-being of your dog with species-appropriate feeding.
In addition to species-appropriate dog food and healthy dog snacks, you will also find a range of high-quality nutritional supplements made from natural ingredients in the Bellfor range.
For stressed and nervous dogs that have to get used to a completely new environment, a dietary supplement with Shiimun Calm or Bellfor Immune, for example, can be useful.
As you can see, there are a few things you need to consider when adopting a dog from abroad. After all, you certainly do not want to support the illegal trade in puppies, nor do you want to violate applicable laws when importing the animal.
But with good planning and vigilance when dealing with the dog's intermediaries, you can be largely sure that you are doing something good by adopting a four-legged friend from abroad.
However, always bear in mind that the acquisition of a dog comes with great responsibility. Especially with an animal that has already had bad experiences with people and will therefore have a hard time, at least at first, this decision should not be taken lightly.
As an owner, you probably see your dog as a good friend and an important member of your family. However, this does not change the fact that every year, countless dogs end up in animal shelters and eke..
