NO Freecycling of Live Animals
on FCO!
October 25, 2004
Back to Full Circles-Ottawa
From FCO's Welcome message
The animals policy we established in 2004 when when we were
part of Freecycle is still in effect under the
FULL CIRCLES
umbrella.
Q: CAN WE USE FULL CIRCLES TO FIND ANIMALS, OR NEW HOMES FOR ANIMALS?
No, sorry, but not on FCO. We believe there is too much risk to
animals because our members are typically not able to do proper job
of screening. But, the Gatineau-Outaouais/Ottawa-Carleton region
has a great network of non-profit pet organizations. Please visit
http://www.petfinder.com/ to find pet-related resources in our region.
======================================================
(Repost of Ottawa Freecycle ADMIN Message of October 25th, 2004)
ADMIN: Freecycling of Live Animals Discontinued
Hello Freecyclers:
For the past few days, we (the mods) have been reviewing our policy
of allowing freecycle postings for pets and live animals. And, we
have made the decision that we will no longer allow pets / animals
to be be posted (either offered or wanted) on the Ottawa Freecycle
Network.
We realize that in our August poll, the will of the majority of those
who responded (58/64 people) was to continue the practice. But, we
have become aware of abuses, and have consulted with people more
knowledgeable than ourselves on this issue. We have concluded that
there is too much risk to animals for us to responsibly allow the
practice to continue.
Effective immediately, any live animal postings are not allowed. Any
that make it to the list will be deleted. One of our members,
actively involved in dog rescue has volunteered to act as a contact
for our members. The poster offering or wanting an animal will be
forwarded a list of organizations -- reputable rescue organizations,
no-kill shelters, breeders, etc.
We have learned, sadly, that humanity is not always what we wish it
to be. Freecycling animals often ends very badly indeed for the
animal when the darker side of the animal market is revealed. Some
nasty elements cruise the want ads and e-mail giveaway lists such as
OFN, and take advantage of the well-intentioned, but naïve,
generosity of our members. They show up looking good and with a
plausible story and keep up the act until they, and the animals,
most often dogs, are out of sight.
Unspayed or unneutered dogs can wind up in puppy mills.
Some, especially smaller dogs, are used to "bait" or train fighting
dogs for illegal pit fights. The details of that practice are
horrific beyond words.
Some are sold to labs to be used for research.
And, during hunting season, dogs taken to be hunting dogs, often wind
up shot dead in the woods when they haven't performed up to
expectations.
All of these actually happen!
Most commonly, people get these free animals on impulse as "a pet for
Billy" or to "teach Billy responsibility". Well, Billy is just a kid
and the ultimate responsibility belongs to the adults in the house.
But, many don't take it. Rover winds up tied to a tree, becoming
what those in the rescue profession call a "lawn ornament", deprived
of affection, proper care or socialization. Rover's temperament
changes and, suddenly, Rover is a "bad dog". Like it's Rover's
fault. Sometimes, the new family/owner just decides it's not working
out and, if the dog is lucky, dumps the dog at the local SPCA. Or
just plain dumps it.
So, in summary, we will no longer allow living animals to be posted
with the rest of the unwanted "stuff" and "junk" on the Ottawa
Freecycle Network. Aside from the dangers outlined above, this
practice sends a damaging message -- that our pets are just as
disposable as our worn-out appliances or outgrown clothes or old
toys.
Thanks to Donna Dubreuil, President, Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre
and Amanda Whiteley, Animal Rescue Specialist, for your convincing
advice and counsel. And thanks to David Neeley from the Dallas-Fort
Worth Freecycle Group for his pioneering efforts on Freecycling
animals.
Eric Snyder
Ottawa Freecycle Network (now FullCircles)
====================
