Tips for groups that allow pet posts

Freecycle™ Pet Moderator's Handbook

Goal: To place pets in the best possible homes and avoid sending them to the animal shelter.

Introduce yourself to the group as a whole

If you are taking on the role of the Pet Moderator for your group, take the time to write a post to the group as a whole. Tell them who you are and what experience you have with animals. You really don't need a whole lot of experience, just the desire to help owners and pets make the best matches.

Be approachable. Owners who are giving up their pets are usually going through a hard enough time and will shy away from someone who comes on too strong. Your goal is to be available, helpful and supportive.

Approaching posters offering pets

Always respond to any post concerning pets. Most of the time, the poster will be delighted to hear from you. If they don't respond, don't worry. You've let them know you're available to help in any way you can.

Introduce yourself to an individual

Be cheerful! This is a hard time for most people. They're giving up a family member and they need to know that someone cares.

I always introduce myself this way: "Hi there! I'm Megan, the Moderator for Pets for xxx Freecycle. I'd like to offer my help in placing your (dog, cat, kittens, goat, pot bellied pig, what have you…) "

It's important to mention which area you represent since so many of our members cross over so many areas. This ensures that they know what group you're with and that you're really going to help. It also shows whom you're accountable to if they're not happy with the job you're doing.

Gathering more information on the pet

If there's very little to go on in the original post, ask the owner for more details. You'll need to know what kind of temperament the animal has. Does it like children, should they be in an only pet home, do they bark or roam if it's a dog? Is the animal spayed or neutered? Are there health issues with the pet? Is the reason they're giving him up because of behavior problems? These are all important issues in placing a pet in the right home. You wouldn't want to see a dog passed on and on because he has no manners or roams.

The information you gather can be used in a couple of ways. First, it'll help the poster explain to others why he is giving up his pet. Many times the original post will contain all the important information, but they may have forgotten something. Second, it will give you more to go on if they ask you to help screen new families. Third, if they chose to place their pet in a rescue program and ask you to make contact, you'll have more information to relay to the rescue person.

Offering help to Posters so they can keep their Pets

Many times someone will want to place their pets because of behavior problems with their pets. Be familiar with local clubs, groups and businesses that offer obedience training. Sometimes that's all it takes for a "wild child" to stay with their family.

There are also many apartment complexes, and condo associations that have placed limits on the size, breed, or kind of pets their tenants can have. Many times the managers can be "brought around" to allowing the pet to be kept if the owner is willing to abide by simple rules such as scooping up after them, crate training so that the pet doesn't potty on the carpet when no one is home or chew the place to shreds, or even just being willing to leave a stereo on so the dog doesn't think they've been abandoned.

Also find out if it's a financial issue. There are groups out there who are willing to help someone keep their pet by supplying food on a case-by-case basis. It's better to help the pets stay in their homes than house them and find new families for them.

Helping posters find a new family for a pet

Encourage folks offering pets to ask questions about a potential adopter's family! How many people are there in the family? How many children and their ages? Who will actually be responsible for the day-to-day care of the pet? If it's for a child, will the parents double check to make sure they're caring for their new friend? Have they had pets before? Where will the pet be living? Do they plan to keep the dog outside in a pen all the time? What kind of food do they plan to feed? Are there other pets in the home? Do they have vet references? If it's an exotic pet do they have experience with them or are they willing to learn how to care for them properly?

Suggest that once they've narrowed the list of possible new families, they go visit the home before placing their pet. There are all kinds of things they can see that will tell them if this is the right family for their fur kid. How do the kids behave at home? Did they say the dog would be an inside dog but there's a pen out back? If they have other pets they'll be able to see how those pets are being cared for. The poster will also be able to see any hazards that may cause harm to the dog.

From there, suggest the poster invite the possible new family over to meet the dog. Not just Mom & Dad, but the children as well. If the dog falls in love with the new family, it's the right ones! Animals are smart…they know who's best for them. Watch their responses to the new folks! When it's right, you, your dog and the adopters will know it.

Rescue groups

For dogs

Get familiar with the American Kennel Club. They have a list of purebred breed clubs whose members are dedicated to helping protect their breed of dog. Each breed club also runs a rescue group. These rescue folks are FANTASTIC! They go out of their way to ensure that any dog placed with them goes to the best family for that dog. They also make sure the dogs are healthy, up to date on their shots and spayed or neutered before being placed. It is usually free to place a dog in their rescue program.

For other animals

Do a search for national animal clubs like the American Rabbit Breeders Association. Once you find one, check for local chapters or affiliated groups. There should be a rescue organization or people who can help you place an animal with them.

Petfinder also has a searchable list of rescue groups in each state with good details on the group's page about what animals they take.

Shelters

There are many wonderful shelters across the country. To find some in your area, check out www.Petfinder.com. Once you've found them, check them out. Are they a "No Kill" Shelter? What's their placement rate? Do they foster pets or do the pets live in pens at the shelter? Don't hesitate to call or visit. You'll be able to recommend a shelter if the poster can't find the right home or is in immediate need.

Establish a good relationship with the shelters in your area. If they know you, and you know them, when you recommend them, they are more likely to accept someone's pet faster, especially if there's a space shortage.

Guidelines

MANDATORY guideline: No posts for breeding animals

Click here for a notice you can use if the situation arises.

Local laws regarding fighting and "dangerous breeds" of dogs

Get to know your local laws! If you have someone who offers a dog that is considered a "dangerous breed" or one that is commonly fought this dog requires special attention. Make certain you let the poster know about the laws! Do it in a kind and compassionate way, but please…. make sure they have the information!

In North Carolina, dog fighting is considered a felony offense. Even worse is that if the police discover who "provided" the dog for fighting, they can arrest the original owner as well as the person actually fighting the dog. The charges can be harsh and the fines are steep.

Dangerous breed laws are also a problem. In some areas of the country entire breeds are being banned from towns, cities and counties. They include Dobermans, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, German Shepherds, Boxers, American Staffordshire Terriers (which look a whole lot like what most people call a Pitt Bull) and Pitt Bulls. There are many others that are also considered dangerous. Check your local laws to be sure what breeds are included. Insurance companies can also demand extra coverage or cancel someone's policy if they own one of the "dangerous breeds".

Is this type of pet legal to own in your area?

Take the time to learn what animals can be legally owned in your area. The best place to find out what animals are illegal to own is your local Animal Control Office, either on the web or by calling.

For example:

Quaker Parrots are illegal in TN

Many species of snakes are illegal to own, especially poisonous ones.

Only a federally licensed sanctuary can keep Wolves and Wolf Dogs in most states.

If someone posts an offer or wanted for an illegal animal, tell him or her that it is illegal to own that particular animal. They may not know. Then refuse the post. You don't want to get involved in any problems farther down the line.

Suggested (NOT MANDATORY) Pet Post Guidelines

These are the guidelines that we established after many long discussions. Feel free to adopt them for your own group.

1. All pet posts are to be handled by the Pet Moderator. This makes one person accountable for anything that comes up. Click here for suggestions on how to choose a Pet moderator for your group.
2. No wanteds or offers for animals to be used as feeder food.
3. No wanted or offers for animals to be used for breeding purposes.
4. No wanted posts for any exotic animal that requires special knowledge or care to keep them healthy unless it's from someone who has extensive experience with them. For Example: We had someone who wanted to post a Wanted looking for a small Quaker or Conure parrot. This person did have many years of bird knowledge so I let it through. Someone else posted a Wanted for any reptiles. They gave no indication that they were familiar with them, had adequate housing, or anything else. That post was rejected. If you have questions about someone being able to care for an animal, when you reject the post ask them to tell you more about their experience and let them know you'll consider it further based on that information.
5. No Wanted posts for illegal animals, even if you think the law is foolish. In Gaston County for example, it was illegal to sell ferrets until just a few years ago. You could own them or bring them in from other counties but not sell them. Sounds foolish, but it's true. Now it requires a permit to sell them. It stems from the fact that they are related to weasels.
6. Possible "Pet Collectors". We've all seen them on TV. The person who has more pets than they can provide quality care for. The Pet Mod is responsible for contacting them when rejecting the post. One way to identify a "pet collector" is that it's someone who is always posting wanted for animals. Especially the ones who say things like "I'll be happy to take any animal".
7. Someone seeming to "unload" a large number of pets. Again, the Pet Mod will contact them to see what the situation is. Use good judgment when allowing the offers.
8. Finally, it is highly recommended that you visit the home of the adopter before consenting to the adoption.

As you can see, these are very common sense rules. Use your head, your heart, and your common sense and folks will be delighted to work with you.