Pet ownership should not come free
I am distressed at the number of free pets advertised in your newspaper and on the FREECYCLE.org group. Do people realize what happens to many of the pets obtained through such ads?
Much too frequently, animal control or the SPCA is called in to rescue former "free to good home" pets, if the pets are lucky.
There are sound reasons rescue groups charge for their animals. These small fees in no way begin to cover the cost incurred for medical treatment and upkeep of the pets they adopt out.
Fact:
- People value what they pay for. Pets obtained for free are more likely to be abused and/or discarded, because "there are plenty more where that came from."
- So-called "bunchers" gather free pets until they have enough to make a trip to a lab worthwhile, then sell them for $25 a head for experimentation.
- Free animals are taken to "blood" pit-bulls -- to train fighting dogs how to kill, and to enjoy it.
And kittens? How 'bout free dinner for a pet snake?
Some answering the "free to good homes" ads are loving, responsible pet owners. Many are not.
Please don't advertise free pets. Charge at least $25 to discourage sale to research labs. Please do take the time to interview each and every prospective owner. Your SPCA can help you with what types of questions to ask.
And please have Mama spayed as soon as the kittens or puppies are weaned.
For further information, or low-cost spay/neutering, please call 375-6080.
BB Knowles
The writer is president and founder of North Carolina Voters for Animal Welfare based in Greensboro.
Comments (5)
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I agree. We got one of our kids, Molly, from Carolina Boxer Rescue and paid a $200 adoption fee for her. She's such a cool pooch that I imagine she'd have been snatched up quickly, if she'd been free. CBR interviewed us at our home, played with our other dogs and ensured we had a fenced in yard (it was in the works at the time).
Molly is a deaf white boxer that had been bred by unscrupulous folks, trying to produce more, healthy white boxers. White boxers are frequently deaf and have other defects. After she'd produced a litter, she was dumped and fortunately was taken in by CBR.
I was reading N&R's letters to the editor online and someone mentioned CBR in their letter. I went to their website, saw her picture, immediately fell in love and sent the link to my partner. We then put the wheels in motion and got her to her new home.
BTW: We don't actually own Molly. CBR retains ownership, so that if a dog is improperly cared for, they can rescue it from the poor conditions. That's a wise move on their part, but I bet they've rarely needed to exercise their rights. They do such a good job checking out prospective parents.
Kind regards,
Posted on February 2, 2005 1:10 PM
We adopted a "free" Irish Setter that a neighbor found stray last year. I spent $300 in vet bills for vaccinations, etc. The dog ended up being very destructive, it destroyed about $600 in property outside, including a $300 hot tub cover.
We reached the point where we did not want to keep the dog, so we called the Irish Setter rescue organization, drove it down to Charlotte, and left it with them. They found it a home and everyone is happy (even though I was out $900). In this case, "free" became very expensive, but we did the right thing not dumping the dog off the side of the road.
Posted on February 2, 2005 2:40 PM
I just came across this article. Anything you do, is a risk. Thats if you pay 200 hundred dollars for a dog ot if you got him for free. Everybody cant afford to pay close to 1000 dollars for a dog up front.
Posted on August 7, 2005 3:56 PM
You are defending criminals and terrorist-PETA.
And your information you provide is incorrect. Typical PETA operative.
Posted on August 24, 2005 12:15 AM
read the real story on PETA at
www.petakillsanimals.com
Posted on August 24, 2005 12:18 AM