Before You Flag That Pet Ad on Craigslist
An Open Letter to Rescuers Who Flag Pet Listings on Craigslist
Thank you for caring about the unfortunate pets who get listed Free to Good Home on Craigslist. You know, as I do, that this practice puts them in terrible danger. I’ve blogged about it here before Up on the Woof, and that post still gets more views than anything else I’ve written here. I know that you want to help these animals and keep them safe from all the horrible possibilities that await them. That’s why I’m asking you to
STOP FLAGGING FREE PET LISTINGS!
When a post is flagged, Craigslist removes it. I’m sure you are seeing that as a good thing…but I’m asking you to consider what happens next. Do you know? Does the owner take the animal to the pound? (if so, that’s an “owner surrender”, and that pet can be killed before the owner drives off the lot). Does the owner decide to keep the animal? Does the owner just advertise the animal free somewhere else?
Unfortunately, we have no way of knowing. The post, as scary and unfortunate as it is, is also the only lifeline for that animal…and once the post is removed, so are the means for a rescuer to help her.
If you really want to help the pets hung out to dry on Craigslist, please educate. Make alternative suggestions–like breed rescue– to the poster… or use one of the several letters I have prepared for sending to the people who make those posts – letters that explain the dangers. You are free to download the letters and use them (scroll to the bottom of the page after you click that link). If you can’t figure out how to download, send me a note and I’ll send them to you. Just please, stop flagging.
It’s spring and the insects that threaten our dogs’ health are out there. We are in immediate need of heartworm preventative, which we buy here: Drs Foster & Smith and Frontline (see the wishlist link below).
We are also always looking for coupons for certain items we purchase for the dogs on a regular basis. If you have Rachael Ray Nutrish coupons, Cesar coupons, or milkbone coupons that you will not be using, please save them for us. Contact me if you have some to send. And if you come across an errant box of Purina Busy HeartyHides in your store, for God’s sake, send them to us!
I also have a wishlist of items that we just can’t afford, but that would make life a whole lot easier.
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A friend of mine does not do much on the computer but she always checks Craigslist, not to buy a pet but to see if one needs immediate rescue from possible unscrupulous person. Another friend of mine recently purchased a puppy on Craigslist. She probably saved this puppy's life because it had all sorts of issues and I'm sure it would have died without her intervention.
Nice share. Thumbs up. By the Looking for something in craigslist or in new online shop? Make sure to Reverse image search any images to avoid scams. Just Upload your image or find through url.
