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Post by bubbles87 on Sept 9, 2013 7:57:24 GMT
Im not sure if this is the right place to talk about this but I would like to know everyones thoughts on this. I rant about it all the time as it really does rub me up all the wrong way lol. What I am talking about is when you go on these free advertising sites on the pet catagory and you see "free to a good home"
I think its crazy with how much awareness there is now on dog fighting and animal cruelty. I just think especially for cats and dogs you might aswell put a big target on them for these horrible people who think its ok to mistreat an animal or think dog fighting is a "sport" I just feel there is no need to give your pet away for free and I understand some peoples circumstances will have changed due to the mess the country is in but there is so many different kinds of rescue companies out there who will look after your pet and carry out checks on people before finding their new loving home. So then at least you know the person genuinely cares about animals and not trying to mislead you. There is a lower chance that someone will pay money or approach somewhere that does these kind of checks and ask for a donation towards the care of the pet....
Rant over...for now anyways lol. What do you all think?
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Post by charlottte on Sept 9, 2013 8:17:25 GMT
I hate them. They're fine for inanimate objects, but living creatures, not at all. Like you said, dog fighting appears to be prevalent and who knows where your pet is going. I'd rather put my pets in a rescue that I know will look after them and find them a suitable home than advertise on 'free ad' sites. The only way I would offer 'free to good home' is if it was a friend or family member (and there was no way I could keep my pet). This is how we got Jasper so it can work out well sometimes. I saw something on Facebook recently that was apparently from someone who trains dogs to fight. It was one of those stories that people share. While I question it's legitimacy (because who would admit this openly?) It wouldn't surprise me if people did this: Apparently a guy has fighting dogs and they trawl the free ad sites for 'free to good home' cats, dogs and small furries. His wife and child scrub up nice and put on the 'happy family' act when they go to view the animal. As very view people vet potential owners, they would probably hand the pet over there and then. Voila, that family then have 5, 10, possibly more poor animals to use as bait within a few days. While I really would like to think that this wouldn't happen, chances are it does. And the family that handed over their pet think that it has gone on to have a nice happy life with another family. Brutal, but very possible. Rant over
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Post by bubbles87 on Sept 9, 2013 8:27:14 GMT
I hate them. They're fine for inanimate objects, but living creatures, not at all. Like you said, dog fighting appears to be prevalent and who knows where your pet is going. I'd rather put my pets in a rescue that I know will look after them and find them a suitable home than advertise on 'free ad' sites. The only way I would offer 'free to good home' is if it was a friend or family member (and there was no way I could keep my pet). This is how we got Jasper so it can work out well sometimes. I saw something on Facebook recently that was apparently from someone who trains dogs to fight. It was one of those stories that people share. While I question it's legitimacy (because who would admit this openly?) It wouldn't surprise me if people did this: Apparently a guy has fighting dogs and they trawl the free ad sites for 'free to good home' cats, dogs and small furries. His wife and child scrub up nice and put on the 'happy family' act when they go to view the animal. As very view people vet potential owners, they would probably hand the pet over there and then. Voila, that family then have 5, 10, possibly more poor animals to use as bait within a few days. While I really would like to think that this wouldn't happen, chances are it does. And the family that handed over their pet think that it has gone on to have a nice happy life with another family. Brutal, but very possible. Rant over Its horrible the thought of that actually happening but it happens. So when I see the free to good home ads I so badly just want to go get them but my partner keeps telling me this is our home not a zoo...although Id settle for a farm kinda size home to make space lol. I just think there needs to be more awareness of the dangers people could potentially be putting their pets in by just simply giving them away...
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Post by gladys on Sept 9, 2013 11:56:24 GMT
Oh don't get me started. I think that all free adverts for living creatures should stop on the web and in newspapers etc. I think that if you are selling say a horse you should have to pay for the advert in special magazines or websites. The same for all other animals of course. If you have to pay to put adverts in somewhere like a specialised forum/website it will cut down on people breeding just for money. Also if you have to buy certain magazines etc to buy pets etc then it would cut down the people who would apply to free pets ads. Of course that will probably never happen because it would be to big to police. Also these sites that offer free ads would lose out as they get their money through banner and click adverts on their sites!?!
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Post by charlottte on Sept 9, 2013 12:03:21 GMT
Bubbles, ill buy a farm with you and then we could save all the poor bairns! And Gladys, I completely agree. It would be excellent if it could be managed but unfortunately social media is a biggie for it. I'm on an animal group and all you see is adverts for puppies/kittens, lost/stolen pets and free to good homes
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Post by migsy on Sept 9, 2013 20:28:01 GMT
Some years ago,a man was asking to pay for advert putting up in local pet shops window,offering dog free to good home.Thank goodness the pet shop owner was on the ball,and kindly explained to the man why it wasn't a good idea,as to give the dog away would risk it being taken on by person who wasn't a suitable owner.She advised asking a reasonable price,even though he wasn't interested in making money from the dog,and he could donate the cash to a charity if he wished.Pity there aren't more who think the same,then a real difference could be made to the lives of some poor animals.
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Post by tonib on Sept 9, 2013 21:56:03 GMT
I agree that there are very big risks with "free to a good home". But as to setting a price that's a difficult one. Most rescue centres are full to overflowing & often have waiting lists so trying that route can be extremely difficult. People think that putting a price on the pet will deter future owners & all they can think of is homing their pet for whatever reason. There are a lot more people having to give up their pets for illness as well as financial difficulties these days. I don't think these sites are the right place for animals but I can perhaps understand why they are used. If only I could think of an alternative for people to use. migsy so glad that pet shop owner was able to give such good advice. One big solution would be for the authorities to really get on top of the dog (or other animal) fighting fraternity. I doubt it will be completely eradicated but there seems to be too much now.
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Post by migsy on Sept 9, 2013 22:42:52 GMT
My late F.C.R was a free to good home advert in the local paper,her owners were moving away and going into relieving at pubs during landlords holidays so couldn't take Gemma.They only had a back yard,and came to see our place and were delighted with the large garden and Sam the B.C.for a pal,they adored each other from first being introduced at Gemmas home.The owners visited Gemma after she had settled in,before they moved and the lady was so tearful when they left.They also called once more when visiting relatives in the town,and could see for themselves how happy she was.It was a happy ending for Gemma,but not all dogs are so lucky,as owners can be too trusting of people,and can't think some people aren't the nice caring people they pretend to be.
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Post by bubbles87 on Sept 9, 2013 22:56:04 GMT
I just think there is loads of rescue places now like where my mum god both her dogs they do foster carers rather than the dogs going to a kennel or a centre somewhere. So then they are still in a "home" environment
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Post by migsy on Sept 9, 2013 23:03:21 GMT
That's a fantastic idea.The Border Collie rescue do that,as Border Collies don't do well in kennels,it's the worst environment for them,so being fostered for a while is better for their mental well being.
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Post by bubbles87 on Sept 9, 2013 23:21:33 GMT
My late F.C.R was a free to good home advert in the local paper,her owners were moving away and going into relieving at pubs during landlords holidays so couldn't take Gemma.They only had a back yard,and came to see our place and were delighted with the large garden and Sam the B.C.for a pal,they adored each other from first being introduced at Gemmas home.The owners visited Gemma after she had settled in,before they moved and the lady was so tearful when they left.They also called once more when visiting relatives in the town,and could see for themselves how happy she was.It was a happy ending for Gemma,but not all dogs are so lucky,as owners can be too trusting of people,and can't think some people aren't the nice caring people they pretend to be. Aww thanks for sharing. Its always good to hear the happy stories aswell when talking about such a touchy subject
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Post by bubbles87 on Sept 9, 2013 23:23:38 GMT
That's a fantastic idea.The Border Collie rescue do that,as Border Collies don't do well in kennels,it's the worst environment for them,so being fostered for a while is better for their mental well being. It is a great idea. It was Springer Rescue we got Alfi & George from
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Post by BorderTerrier on Sept 11, 2013 16:05:33 GMT
I could imagine quite a few people (responsible and mostly irresponsible!) trying to 'claim a free pet' just because they have wanted a dog as a pet and feel the need to take one on free of charge, or because they are spiteful individuals who want to use the dog as bait for a fight, or the 'top dog' for a fight. Giving away a dog for free holds so many risks.
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Post by bubbles87 on Sept 13, 2013 15:22:35 GMT
I could imagine quite a few people (responsible and mostly irresponsible!) trying to 'claim a free pet' just because they have wanted a dog as a pet and feel the need to take one on free of charge, or because they are spiteful individuals who want to use the dog as bait for a fight, or the 'top dog' for a fight. Giving away a dog for free holds so many risks. I think some people just dont realise the dangers of it all I just wish there was something I could do to raise awareness on the issue
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Post by BorderTerrier on Sept 13, 2013 16:29:55 GMT
I could imagine quite a few people (responsible and mostly irresponsible!) trying to 'claim a free pet' just because they have wanted a dog as a pet and feel the need to take one on free of charge, or because they are spiteful individuals who want to use the dog as bait for a fight, or the 'top dog' for a fight. Giving away a dog for free holds so many risks. I think some people just dont realise the dangers of it all I just wish there was something I could do to raise awareness on the issue A lot of dog lovers get involved in doing things to help raise awareness when it comes to dogs - there will be something you can do out there to help, its just knowing where to get started Its something I would like to do, but, as a younger member of society, I really don't know where I could start!
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