Page 66 - Cinci 2018

“Free to a Good Home” 66 Ad Rates & Info: 513-520-6077
The High Cost of “Free to a Good Home”

We were so blessed to find our little girl Daisy on Petfinder.com! She came to us because of the
work of Tender Heart Charities, Inc. out of Sarasota, Florida, who rescued her from Craigslist. This
article is written in honor of Daisy and the wonderful work that was done on her behalf by Tender Heart
Charities. We are so grateful that Daisy rescued us!

Please do not advertise any animals, anywhere, as “Free to a Good Home.” Some folks answering
the “Free to Good Home” ads really are loving, responsible pet owners. Many--perhaps even most--are
not. There are steps YOU can take to help end abuse:
DID YOU KNOW? dog!) or local animal welfare organizations
1. People value what they pay for. Pets ob- for help in placing unwanted pets; if you
tained for free are more likely to be abused bought the pet from a responsible breeder,
and/or discarded, because “there are plenty he/she will help you rehome the pet.
more where that came from!” 5. DO charge at least $25 to discourage resale
2. So-called “Bunchers” gather free pets until of pets to labs. (Some sources suggest
they have enough to make a trip to a lab charging no less than $100 for pure-bred
worthwhile, then sell them for $25 a head for dogs.)
experimentation! 6. DO take the time to interview every prospec-
3. Free animals are taken to “blood” pit-bulls--to tive owner. Ask for vet and personal refer-
train fighting dogs how to kill, and to enjoy it! ences, and check them, then visit the new
4. Unspayed or unneutered pure-bred dogs home where your pet will be living!
may end up as “breeding stock” in a puppy 7. DO write a letter to your congressmen in sup-
mill. port of legislation aimed at doing away with
5. According to one Humane Society, free kit- Class B dealers, who sell animals obtained
tens are being taken to new “good homes” in from “random sources” to research facilities.
some areas--as dinner for a pet snake! Random sources include strays, stolen pets,
6. Animal hoarders watch the newspapers for seized shelter animals, animals purchased at
“Free to Good Home” animals. These col- flea markets--and pets found through “Free
lectors truly believe they are “rescuing” the to good home” ads.
animals! 8. DO report any incidence of suspected dog-
fighting to police, Animal Control, and your
WHAT CAN YOU DO? local Humane Society. DON’T try to stop
1. DON’T advertise free pets; DO convince oth- these people yourselves; there is a lot of
ers not to. Some people even take the time money involved here, and you could be put-
to phone owners of pets advertising “Free to ting yourself and your pets at risk if you try to
Good Home” and warn them of the dangers. intervene alone.
2. DO spay/neuter to keep from creating pos- 9. DO call police, animal welfare workers, even
sible “Free to Good Home” situations or the health department, if someone in your
condemning your pet to a short, miserable area seems to be “collecting” cats or dogs or
life in a puppy mill. for any incidences of suspected abuse. Be
3. DO write letters to the editors of your local willing to testify in court, if necessary.
newspapers warning of the dangers of “Free
to Good Home” sections in newspapers.
4. DO contact breed rescue organizations Get more information at:
(there is one for every breed of pure-bred www.pawswithheart.com/free_to_good_home.htm
Please support our partners — say you saw it in Pet Pages.