The I NEED A HOME! flyer may tug at your heartstrings, but a neighborhood or online ad isn’t the safest route to adopting a pet, says Sara Lippincott, manager of shelter outreach for PetFinder.com. A person giving away an animal may not have its best interest in mind—or your family’s. Instead, try one of these options.

Shelters and rescue groups

A shelter is a great place to find a family-friendly dog or cat, says Dr. Robert Reisman, president of the Veterinary Medical Association of NYC. By adopting from a “limited-admission” (no-kill) shelter, like the ASPCA or the Humane Society of New York, you’ll save an animal from serving time behind bars (or glass). If you pick out your child’s furry friend at Animal Care & Control (a.k.a. the pound), you may be keeping it from being euthanized. Contrary to popular belief, you can find puppies, kittens and purebreds at shelters.

Family perks Before you adopt, you’ll be encouraged to bring in the whole clan and spend time with the animal. Shelters and rescue groups know their charges well, and they work hard to find the right home for a pet. You’ll probably be asked questions about your family. (Is your tot likely to pull Puss’s tail? Who will walk Spot when you’re at work?)

The cost Around $100 to $200 for dogs, under $100 for cats and other animals gets you initial veterinary care and up-to-date vaccinations, as well as spaying or neutering, which is recommended for all cats and dogs. Many groups offer perks such as a free follow-up vet visit, a month of free pet insurance, and micro-chipping (where an implant is inserted under your pet’s skin to help you locate her if she’s lost).

How to find them Enter your zip code at PetFinder.com to view pictures and profiles of thousands of rescue animals from New York shelters and rescue organizations. Or check out AnimalAllianceNYC.org for direct links to most of the city’s nonprofit animal groups. These organizations also offer adoption events; look for schedules online.

Breeders

From dogs to birds to guinea pigs, there’s a breeder for every type of animal. It’s likely that a visit to one will feel more like a job interview than a shopping excursion, but a breeder who peppers you with questions about your family is just being responsible. Like shelter workers, good breeders fancy themselves as matchmakers and will work with your family to find the perfect fit.

Family perks Unlike pet stores, many breeders will take an animal back if you can’t continue to care for it, regardless of how long ago you purchased it, says Lisa Peterson, a spokesperson for the American Kennel Club of New York and a dog breeder in Connecticut. Many include microchipping, too. Plus, “a good breeder will be a 24/7 mentor to a new owner,” says Peterson.

The cost Varies widely depending on breed and pedigree, but on average dogs cost $800 to $2,000; cats, $350 to $1,200; other animals are under $100. This includes initial veterinary care and up-to-date vaccinations, spaying or neutering, a written contract and lineage papers.

How to find them Check out the referral services on the American Kennel Club’s site (akc.org) for dogs, the Cat Fanciers’ Association (cfainc.org), the New York Rabbit & Cavy (a.k.a. guinea pigs) Breeders Association (nyrcba.com) or the directory Birdbreeders.com.

Pet stores

Despite their convenience, pet stores are generally reviled by animal advocates for selling inbred kittens and puppies that are more likely to have health and behavior problems. If you choose to buy from a pet store, look for signs of a humane establishment, suggests Doug Poindexter, president of the World Wide Pet Industry Association (WWPIA). Observe whether the animals are well treated and cared for, and ask if the store will take back the pet if it doesn’t work out. You can also ask a nearby vet (find one at vmanyc.org) if animals from that store tend to have health problems.

Family perks You won’t have to travel far (breeders are often out-of-town) or put in lots of time.

The cost $600 and up for dogs and cats (under $100 for other animals), which includes vet care and up-to-date vaccinations. Some spots may offer a free vet consult or health guarantees. You’ll need to spay or neuter and microchip on your own.

How to find them A zip code search at PetSource.org, the new website of the WWPIA, can help narrow the list of pet stores