How to Adopt a Pug

Looking to bring a purebred pug into your pack? You’ve got the tough part down pat – you know exactly what kind of pup you’re looking for. Congrats! You may be thinking that with such a specific and popular breed choice, you’ll be forced to go to breeder as your sole option. But what many people don’t know is that 1/4 of rescue dogs are pure breeds, making adopting a pug a feasible and awesome option! With so many dogs being put to sleep in shelters every year (1.2 million in the US alone), it’s important to know that adopting from a shelter is not only a cheaper option but a life saving one. Here are our top tips for finding a pug to adopt, and getting a rescue to know you’re a great adopter.

Very patient pug via Buzzly

1. Be patient. We know you probably want a pug right now. Like Harry says in When Harry Met Sally, “when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” (Pause for dramatic effect). But while rescuing a pug isn’t off the table, finding one in rescue or a shelter will be a bit more time consuming than bringing home a mutt. You’ll have to do your homework and spread your canvas as wide as possible. If you are patient, you can save a life and find the perfect pet for your family. In general, it’s good to give yourself about three months to locate and adopt a purebred dog.

Rocky & Rob from Save Our Shelter visit Pug Nation – Tune in on Saturdays on The CW!

2. Look for pug-specific rescues in your area. Google the name of your city and “pugs,” check Facebook for pug pages in your state, do a search for pugs on Petfinder with your city or zip code selected and call a few local rescues to ask for recommendations. There are even “short nose” rescues that only adopt out pugs, bulldogs, and boston terriers – breeds with smoosh faces! Find one nearest to you and let them know what you’re looking for. Every rescue worth its salt wants to help you find exactly what you’re looking for and won’t stop until you do! If you take all of these steps, you’ll at least find a couple of solid options. If you’re specific about gender and/or age, you may not find exactly what you’re searching for but you’ll have located the spots where you’ll need to continue to check. You can also set up an alert on Pet Harbor, where the site allows you to get emails when certain breeds are listed in your local shelters.

Smart pug by Dutch the Pug

3. Do your research. Be sure to let any rescue or shelter you speak to know exactly *why* you want to adopt a pug. This will let them know you’ve done your research, and that you know that this is the breed for you. Be specific about your vitals – age, gender, coloring, etc. – and listen to their advice and pointers. When you meet fellow pug owners, talk to them about the breed and their ticks, and find out how the pet parents have coped with living with their pugs. Being knowledgable about the breed and ready to tackle any obstacles will endear you to rescues that you want to work with, putting them at ease and helping them feel comfortable and positive about helping you meet your match.

Pug Pair by NWA Gazette

4. Get matched. Instead of finding a dog you like (usually based solely on looks) listed on a rescue’s website, send in a general application and let the organization know you are looking for the best fit for your family. Because pugs are so popular, many never get promoted online and instead are matched up with great adopters that the rescue already has on file. Get to know the rescues and shelters you’re interested in working with and talk to them about what you’re looking for. Not only will they be able to give you a realisitc time frame for your search, they’ll be able to stay on the lookout for you. Plus, they will likely know tips and tricks you hadn’t thought of or been able to find online.

Pug, comin’ at cha by Buzzfeed!

5. Foster a pug. Consider signing up to foster with a pug or short nose breed rescue. This will let the organization know you are serious about saving lives and want to help out. Endearing yourself in this way to a busy organization immediatly gives you major props and will likely get you to the top of the list once a good contender comes into the rescue. Many rescues see multiple applications come in when they take in a popular breed and being a reliable foster and/or volunteer for the organization helps prove that you’re one of the best options for a home. Better yet, it gives you a way to “test drive” adoptable pugs, helping you discern exactly the kind of pup you’ll want to rescue.

Follow these tips and a rescue pug will be in your arms in no time! Here’s a list of pug rescues (there are lots more!), get started looking for your match! 

Central Coast Pug Rescue, California

Compassionate Pug Rescue, Florida

Delaware Valley Pug Rescue, Pennsylvania

Mid-Atlantic Pug Rescue, Virginia

Pug Nation, California

Pug Rescue of New England, Massachusetts

Northern Illinois Pug Rescue, Illinois

Pugs You Gotta Save, Virginia

SNORT Rescue, New Jersey