There are a number of different means through which one can purchase a dog. There are a ton of groomers and breeders out there, but you can also get certain breeds of dogs through your local pet store as well.

One of those local pet stores is your local PetSmart chain. If you are looking to buy a Shih Tzu in particular, you may be wondering, “How much does a Shih Tzu cost at PetSmart?”

How Much Does a Shih Tzu Cost at PetSmart?

If you are considering PetSmart when looking for a Shih Tzu, there is a bit of unfortunate news. Currently, PetSmart does not sell Shih Tzus. That does not mean that you cannot get a Shih Tzu through PetSmart, however.

There are the PetSmart charities where it is possible to adopt a local Shih Tzu. You can go to your local PetSmart and see a number of different puppies and dogs and even be able to interact with them to see how the two of you will get along.

If you do manage to find a dog that you want to adopt, all you have to do is fill out an application. There is also the manner of having a home visit to see how the dog will acclimate to you and your home, seeing whether the fit is a good one.

What does this mean? Well, you can’t just adopt a dog—a Shih Tzu in this case—and expect to take it home right there on the spot. The process can be a bit lengthy in some spots, but it is worth it. It is to ensure that not just anyone walks through the door and gets a pet without being certain that they have the kind of home situation that is accommodating of one.

So, the question, “How much does a Shih Tzu cost at PetSmart” is not really the right question. Instead, it should be focused on the adoption process, which is a little different and can have substantially different costs depending on the drive in question.

How Adoption works Through PetSmart?

Now that we know that you can’t just walk into a PetSmart and buy a dog, it helps to know what the adoption process is really like. This can give you the best idea of what to prepare for before you look to adopt a dog through PetSmart.

PetSmart Charities works with each of the chains, creating adoption drives at some of the locations. This means that some of the workers from the local adoption centers will bring a few dogs to the local PetSmart in hopes of getting them adopted.

There are a few things that you should come to expect from this process. We will break down each of the parts of the process, so let’s get into it.

An Interview

When you have found a pet that seems like a good fit for you or your family, then it is time to meet with a representative. This will not necessarily be someone from PetSmart but most likely a member of the local adoption group in your area.

They will ask a few different questions in order to determine whether or not you are a good fit for one another. Not only that, but it is to ensure that the pet will do well in your home, ensuring that both of you will be happy with the pairing for a long time to come. There is also the need to procure information about the medical history, habits, and personality of the pet in question.

Fill Out Paperwork

As is the case with any kind of pet adoption, you are going to need to fill out an application and pay the requested adoption fee. Generally, the adoption fee is set by the adoption partner, not the local PetSmart.

Make sure that you carve out anywhere from 30 to 120 minutes to go through the interview process and fill out paperwork.

Home Visit

Most of the time, you can bring your pet home the same day. That said, there are some adoption partners who will require either an in-home visit and/or a background check first. This is all to ensure that the pet will be safe in your care.

Make sure that you ask the adoption partner at the beginning of the process to see what kind of waiting period there might be. There may even be a PetSmart adoption going on at another location near you that offers same-day options for adoption.

Conclusion

If you are looking to walk into your local PetSmart to buy a dog, you will be in for a disappointment. PetSmart does not really sell dogs. But the good news is that they do hold adoption drives from time to time where finding the dog you have been looking for is possible.

With a little bit of time, an application, and an in-home visit, you can find the dog that works for you. You can also be certain that your new pet is a good fit in your home, giving you peace of mind that the pairing is a good one.