"recycling" animals!

[ferryman]

I don't know if you know of the group Freecycle where they recycle things rather than take them to the tip? Well I belong to one and found it very handy but today I was furious to find an offer of a "free cat and some cat food to go with it" as it needs a new home!

Apparently it isn't against their rules as I found out but why on earth can't they just stop these ads because you never know where the poor animal will end up. By their admission the group mod has said that in some areas it's ok but in others there are problems with animal fighting etc! Can't believe they know of this yet still allow it. What do others think about this and if you belong to freecycle do yours offer animals on it?

[boxtops]

I don't belong, but what's the difference in offering on FC to putting an ad for a cat in your local paper? Not everyone checks where the beastie is going, IMO it's better than abandoning it....

[milly143]

It's not really any different to people puttings adds in papers and shop windown offering kittens, etc is it?

[ummmm]

Is it that much different to people putting notices in local shops?

[bednobs]

or breeders

[Carakeel]

I belong to a freecycle group as well and have brought this matter up several times, to no avail! Our freecycle site says it is only for things that people would normally take to the tip, but are offering in case someone might be able to make use of them. We get dogs and cats, cockerels, lizards, fish ... all sorts of animals offered from time to time. Surely these do not qualify as items that people want to throw away or take to the tip!! Our moderator however says that these are accepted as people no longer want them ... end of! To me it seems to be becoming a dumping ground for unwanted pets and I jsut hope that those who take them give them forever homes and care for them properly.

[Carakeel]

bednobs, breeders are usually far more careful where they place their dogs / cats. The responsible breeders I know all vet the homes their pets are to go to, making sure the home and the people are suitable. Of course there are unscrupulous breeders as well, but they are usually in it for the money only and nothing else, so wouldn't consider putting their animals on a freecycle site.

[tamborine]

Gumtree offer free cats & dogs without food. Nowt wrong; there are peeps wanting free pets.

[tamborine]

← free off Gumtree

[notasyoungasiwas]

With you on this one Carakeel - all the way. They are flesh and blood and should be treated with respect.

[linedancer16]

I belong to a free cycle group but have never seen animals on it. I think its disgraceful if it is allowed and I shall query it with my group. I checked our rules and theres no mention of not allowing animals . It is supposed to be for things which otherwise would would go in landfill.

[Ann]

Maybe they wouldn't be bad people as they at least are offering some food to go with it. It may have belonged to an old person who has died..........

[daisya]

Understand that people will offer animals in free ads in papers etc not that I agree with it, however, I belong to a freecycle group and like carakeel says, the whole point to freecycle is to prevent things going to a landfill site. So how can animals be offered on there when presumably people don't take them to the tip!!! All I'm concerned with are the animals, I know there are many reasons people can;'t keep an animal and need to find another owner, but there are ways and means and IMO freecycle is not the way to go, free food or not!

[lankeela]

I have complained but mine allow them. They do seem to get homes quickly though, and as others have said its not so different from free ads.

[Jules001]

I belong to three Freecycle groups in my area and they all allow pets to be given away. Just this weekend, someone was giving away some degus, she had apparently tried to sell them, to no avail, but as her cat was due to give birth very soon, she needed to rehome them. someone was also asking for a kitten on behalf of an elderly relative.