Every good boy deserves a safe home

Care comes first

There is more than one way to find your dog. Take time to understand their needs and choose a responsible rescue or breeder who is open about health, history and everyday life.

Before any dog

• A dog lives 10 to 15 years. Picture your life five and ten years from now.
• Count the costs: food, insurance, vet visits and care easily add up to 1 000 to 2 000 € a year.
• Check your home: lease rules, allergies, stairs, and who looks after the dog when you travel.
• Daily time: walks, training and company. Most dogs should not be alone for more than a few hours.
• A dog is never a surprise gift. Everyone at home should say yes.

Adopting a rescue

Rescue work matters to us, and we want to support it. If adoption is your path, get to know both the dog and the organisation.

• Choose a registered association with clear contact details, an adoption contract and a home check.
• Ask about the dog's history, health, behaviour with people, children and other animals.
• Prefer dogs that have lived in a foster home: the foster family can tell you how the dog really is at home.
• Before adopting across borders, check the current rules with the destination authority and the rescue. Rehoming can require different documents and checks from travelling with your own pet.
• Ask your breed club: many clubs rehome adult dogs of their breed.

If you choose a puppy

A responsible breeder:

• lets you meet the mother and see where the puppies live;
• shows the parents' health tests and registers the litter with the national kennel club;
• lets the puppy go home at the age your country's rules allow (usually 7 to 8 weeks, never younger), with a written contract;
• asks you questions too, and stays in touch for the dog's whole life.
• Walk away if the seller meets you in a car park, ships puppies, always has many breeds for sale or rushes you.

The first weeks at home

• Let your dog settle at its own pace. Keep the first days calm, offer a quiet resting place and build routines without forcing contact.
• Book a vet visit and keep the vaccinations and parasite care up to date.
• Register the microchip in your country's dog register (in Finland it is mandatory).
• Keep training kind and calm. Ask the association or breeder for help early.

Sources

• Dogs Trust: helping a rescue dog settle ↗
• Finnish Food Authority: check travel and import requirements ↗