Pets on Freecycle

[Izzy]

I get a bit uneasy when I see pets offered on Freecycle as I just don't feel it is appropriate to advertise animals alomg with other commodities as if they were the same. At the moderator's suggestion I have come to the cafe to suggest there might be a protocol worked out for people to follow when giving away pets. I think the assumption is being made that everyone is totally scrupulous in their reasons for giving them away, and also in choosing who they go to. Whilst the majority are, there are bound to be people who see this as any easy way to get rid of a pet which they have tired of and therefore don't really care who takes it.
I am however struggling to think how it can be overseen as really a third party or parties is required with knowledge of animals and people and their behaviour and how they are suited.

I realise I am perhaps worrying about this too much but would like to hear other views on the matter.

Isobel Muirhead (Izzybizzy)

[Richard Barrie]

Indeed a interesting subject that we have corresponded about before. I would be glad to hear everyones thought on the subject

[tracymae]

Perhaps you could write up a series of guidlines/questions to ask potential owners and/or give a list of alternative local rescue organisations that would rehome their pet for them?
i.e.

1. Ask any potential owner to write a list of what they would like to know about your pet.....the more questions they ask the better...it shows they have a genuine interest in your pets interests and needs.
2. Always visit the potential new owners home if you can...any genuine person won't mind you checking that they have a safe enviroment.
3. Ask for vet references, if you know their existing pets are well looked after and recieve regular veterinary care it will put your mind at ease.
4. Ask if they are knowledable/ experienced with your particular breed, having a yorkie before does not prepare someone for having a dalmatian...make sure they know the particular needs of your animal and any specialised knowledge before you rehome your pet.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head! Personally I don't like the idea of people giving away pets for free, there are some awful people in this world who would take them and either sell them/ use them as dog fighting bait/breeding stock etc. Not sure if freecycle would allow it but perhaps by asking for a donation to be made to a local shelter/rescue you could avoid the worst of the bad bunch.

[Brenda]

Im in agreement with you Isobel, being an animal lover myself it also makes you wonder also about the other side of the coin.
e g Someone gives a dog away knowing it may be unsuitable near children, new owner takes the dog and it bites one of their children. Who is responsible, new owner? old owner ? or freecycle for advertising it ?

Whilst the majority of people are caring individuals you will always get someone looking for the easy way out to offload their animals, animals are not toys to be passed around,taking one on is a lifetime commitment.
Perhaps the moderators should also look into the legalities of it all. I know some papers etc are not allowed to advertise animals as new laws were passed a few years back and that is why you dont see puppies and kittens in pet shops now. We also have on site a fellow free cycler who works with rescue animals perhaps a little information posted somewhere on site to help those needing to rehome animals might help. There is a home a dog association in Thornton whom I believe become the third party on your behalf when rehoming dogs.
Perhaps a form available on request from the moderators that advertisers would have to sign relinquishing any legal come back to freecycle before advertising and a log kept of every exchange of animal, would go a long way to weeding out those who just want to get rid

[Callie]

I can see your concern Isobel but at the same time, it is the responsibility of the owner to make sure that new owners are decent people. About a month ago I rehomed 2 older cats through freecycle and am constant contact with the old owner so that she is aware if anything is wrong. Doing it through freecycle is better then putting the cats into kennels until a suitable owner is found, kennels have negative impacts on a cats pyschological state and health. I personally believe that doing it through freecycle saves both the owner and the pet from severe stress.

[Izzy]

I noticed a post on Freecycle the other day regarding people advertising for stuff they wanted to resell. the moderator said in his post that Freecycle's main aim is to keep unwanted goods out of landfill. How does that apply to pets?

Izzyb