NO Freecycling of Live Animals
on FCO!

CAN WE USE FULL CIRCLES TO FIND ANIMALS, OR
NEW HOMES FOR ANIMALS?

The animals policy we established when when we were
part of Freecycle is still in effect under our FULL CIRCLES
umbrella.

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.

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)
====================

Suggested Animal Adoption Guidelines
(Provided by Amanda Whitely, FCO's Animal / Pet Specialist

How can I help ensure that my pet goes to a good home?

Step 1: Contact shelters and/or rescue organizations for assistance or to relinquish your pet.

Step 2: Post ads in vet offices, community bulletin boards, local publications and newspapers. You may wish to charge an adoption
fee, even if it's a small one. A free animal is an expendable one, and charging a fee ensures that your animal goes to a home where
his or her life is actually valued. This will also deter those individuals who are looking to make a profit by selling your pet to a third
party.

Step 3: Screen Applicants. You care about your companion animal and you want to find him or her a good home. But remember that
not every inquirer will share your understanding or concerns. Your careful screening of prospects will provide the information you
need to select a good home and help ensure that the animal you place will still be cared for his or her lifetime. Don't be afraid to ask
questions and make stipulations, or to say "no." These questions are designed to give you necessary information about a caller's
attitude and level of responsibility.

Sample Questions to Ask

1. Why do you want a dog or cat?

Look for someone who wants an animal to be part of the family as a household companion. Beware of people seeking a large dog
for guarding purposes or someone wanting a dog or cat for breeding. Guard dogs are often discarded when their usefulness is over,
and the last thing you want to do is contribute to the overpopulation problem by allowing breeding. If someone wants an animal as a
gift for a friend or relative, insist that the person who will spend the next decade or more with the dog or cat be involved in the
selection. If a minor calls, ask to speak with his or her parents.

2. Have you had animals before? What happened to them? Do you have animals now?

People who have never had animals before should be advised of the considerable expense and responsibility involved yin caring for
them, including exercise, food bills, and veterinary needs. Someone who has had several animals who were either stolen, killed by
cars, lost or given away is undoubtedly a poor prospect. If the prospect has recently lost an animal, or has one currently in his or her
home, ask for the name and phone number of their veterinarian. Call the vet to determine the quality of care that the animal has
received--yearly vaccinations, yearly heartworm test for dogs and heartworm preventative on a yearly basis, appropriate and
immediate medical care when necessary.

3. Is someone home during the day?

Animals accustomed to companionship may become frantic and even destructive if left alone for long periods. Also, puppies need to
be fed three to four times daily and need careful attention during housebreaking. Decide if this animal will suit the prospective
owner's life-style. In the end, it is the animal who suffers most from a poor placement.

4. If you move or travel, what will happen?

Care for an animal can a 10- 15- 20-year commitment (the life of the animal). Remind prospects that they may have to board animals
during vacations and must plan for their needs if contemplating a move.

5. Is your yard fenced?

A well-fenced yard is advisable although not always necessary. People without an enclosed yard may allow a dog to run loose, which
is illegal and dangerous, or chain him or her up, which can be a frustrating, desolate existence. Tell the prospect that you will want to
see the yard. This should be enough to discourage an insincere caller. If the prospect does not have a fenced yard or lives in a
condo/apartment, do not discourage them from applying. You will have to determine their level of commitment to walking the dog (on
leash) frequently enough for the dog to get daily exercise and to go to the bathroom as often as is needed.

6. Where will you keep the animal?

Be wary of people who talk about having a dog live on the back porch, in a dog house, in the garage, or in the basement. They are
probably not interested in making the animal a household companion. Do not adopt to anyone who lets a cat out without benefit of a
leash or screened enclosure. It takes but one second for a cat to wander off one's property and become a victim of cars, traps, other
animals, poisons, and people.

7. How do you feel about spaying and neutering?

Over 20 million animals are destroyed each year because there are simply not enough homes to go around. Always require that the
prospective owner spay or neuter within a specified period to avoid further breeding resulting in more homeless animals. Whenever
possible, sterilize sexually mature animals before adoption. If you or the prospect are concerned about neutering costs, call your local
humane organization to find out about reduced fee programs. Be cautious if people already have an unaltered animal in their home:
they may have breeding in mind.

8. Do you own or rent your home?

If the prospect does not own, see if his or her lease permits animals. Thousands of animals are given up each year after being
discovered by the owner of the property. Is the individual aware of additional deposits and monthly charges his or her landlord will
add to the rent for the addition of the animal?

9. Who else lives in your home?

Try to determine whether other members of the household want a companion animal or are aware of the caller's plans. Also
determine the ages of children. Families with young children should be told that normal puppy play behavior often includes jumping
and biting and that puppies and cats/kittens must be protected from rambunctious children.

Step 4: Releasing Your Animal

Arrange for the good prospect's family to see the animal in your home. Observe the family's reaction. Especially note the reaction of
the person who will have primary responsibility for the animal. Be wary of the parent who says, "Johnny will be responsible for the
dog," since this could mean that no one will provide regular care or the animal will be given away when Johnny loses interest.

Make sure you have the name, address, phone number, and place of business of the new owner. Requirements, such as
spaying/neutering, need to be put in writing and signed by the new owner. This provides a concrete, enforceable agreement. Charge
an adoption fee (even as little as $10). If someone balks at the fee, they probably don't have the funds necessary to care for and feed
an animal on a long-term basis.

Be sure the animal is wearing an ID tag with your number and the number of the new owner. Advise the owner not to leave the new
animal unattended; sense of belonging takes time to develop. A dog who has never chewed a rug or jumped over or dug under a
fence may do so in a strange surroundings.

The most important, final kindness is to take the time to deliver the animal to the new home. Don't hand over your animal until you are
completely satisfied. If you feel uncomfortable about the size of the yard, condition of the fence or kind of care you believe he or she
will receive, the best thing you can do is try again. Never be afraid to say "no"--your animal friend's future may depend on it. Following
placement, contact the adopter to see how things are going.

Tips for Home Visits
- Take a friend with you for safety.
- Explain that re-homing a dog/cat is stressful for the animal.
- Rescued dogs may have training accidents, even if they are housebroken, while they are in their present home or foster care, for
  the first few weeks.
- Rescued cats may have accidents outside of the litter box and sometimes suffer from vomiting/diarrhea due to stress.
- Ask the applicant what they would do or how they would react to the new dog/cat having an accident.
- "Gut feelings" are considered important. Would you feel comfortable leaving your own animal with the applicant?
- Be sure that your pet has a chance to meet and interact with any pets that the applicant may already have. Keep in mind that if the
  animals don't get along, your pet will be the first to go!
- Be honest about any medical or behavioral problems that your pet may have - otherwise, the adoptive family may simply take your
  pet to a shelter when he or she becomes sick or needs special care.

Sample Companion Animal Adoption Agreement--

Companion Animal Adoption Agreement
This animal's known behavior and medical history have been discussed with me. The animal will receive all the care and attention
necessary to ensure his/her health and well-being. He/she will not be abused in any manner and will be a companion living indoors.
I agree to provide a buckle collar with an identification tag and to obey leash laws. I understand the animal must be spayed/neutered
by___________.

I understand that the person adopting out the animal or his/her representative may visit my home without giving advance notice. If at
any time the person adopting out the animal determines that the terms and conditions of this agreement have not been met or that
the animal is not receiving proper and humane care, that person may take custody of the animal.

If at any time I cannot keep the animal, the animal will be returned to the person adopting out the animal, or to a proper and humanely
run animal shelter. Under no circumstances will the animal be abandoned, sold or given away for experimentation or guarding
purposes.

I certify that the following information is correct, and authorize the person adopting out the animal to check my references.

Name

Home and business telephone numbers

Home address

Business name and address

Driver's license#, state, expiration date

Veterinary reference


Signature (adopter)
Date

Signature (owner)
Date

What to Do If You Are Unable to Find That Good Home

Please don't rush into a placement because you are pressured by time. If you are unable to find a good home for your animal, take him or her to an animal shelter operated by a humane organization. Choose a shelter which checks out prospective homes carefully, requires sterilization, does not give animals to research institutions or guard dog companies and if euthanasia becomes necessary, uses a painless sodium pentobarbital injection intravenously.

Do not sell or give your animal to a pet shop. Persons operating pet shops are concerned with running a profit-making business and
often have little or no concern about what happens to the animals after they leave the store. Animals are sold to people buying on
impulse and to people who are unfit to care for an animal.

As you know, it is necessary to euthanize animals at a shelter if not adopted. Instant death by humane methods is better than a slow death by disease, exposure, starvation, being crushed under the wheels of a car, or the painful living death of negligence or cruelty.

A kind death is certainly better than the lives so many animals lead, tied to the end of chain or kept continually in a garage or basement where fresh air, proper food, clean water, exercise, regular health care, and love are not provided.

Warning!
There are people who are in the business of acquiring animals for research and others who acquire large dogs who are then cruelly trained for sale as guard or attack dogs. These individuals often pretend to seek animals as family companions and bring children or senior citizens with them to gain your confidence. Don't think it can't happen to you.

Always ask for identification (legitimate callers will not object when you tell them why), write down the name and address, and explain that you will visit their home (to insure that they actually live there).

If Your Animal Friend Is Old

Please consider taking your old animal to your veterinarian or a humane shelter to be euthanized if you absolutely cannot keep him or her. Animals who have been with you for a long time suffer and pine terribly and will never understand what they did wrong that made you leave them. Always remain present in the room or require a trusted friend to be with your dog or cat during euthanizing.

Ottawa-Eastern Ontario FullCircles / Freecycle Network - Animal / Pet Specialist
Amanda Whitely - PetMod@Ottawa.FullCircles.org