Ignore craigslist posts?

[Breanna]

Someone on my facebook page "shared" a craigslist post, adding "Another craigslist freebee!" It is a lab/pit bull mix who looks so sweet but would be a good candidate for fighting. If I wasn't on a one-dog, non-shedding dog agreement with my boyfriend I would scoop these dogs up and foster them. I always knew it was risky to dump your dog on craigslist, but I've learned more since joining this site. Do any of you ever reply to the postings you see, warning people of the dangers and recommending rescue collectives? Do you think it's a futile effort? It just kills me to think of these sweethearts getting in the wrong hands. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Yes, many times members have contacted the poster and told them the dangers of advertising a free dog.

[Breanna]

How do people generally word it and where do they refer them to?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

If it is a Doodle, we refer them to the DRC, but I don't know where to refer this person to. I hope someone with more experience chimes in. Is there a no kill shelter in your area or a Lab rescue organization? I would be as nice as possible, but tell them many people look for free dogs on CL for all kinds of bad things...dog fighting and testing labs, to name a couple, and ask them to consider a different route for their dog. If you have the name of a shelter, etc. that would be a help. All you can do is try. People make me so mad.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The DRC has a form letter that we send to owners of doodles posted on CL, explaining the dangers and giving them the option of rehoming through the DRC. I imagine that other breed specific rescue groups have similar letters. 

Unfortunately, you do have to have an alternative to offer the poster. If you know of local rescue groups in their area, you might include the contact info; many people are not aware that there are private rescues and think it's either CL or a public kill shelter. But sometimes, the person may have contacted rescues only to be told that they cannot or will not take the dog into their program. This is especially true of pits and pit mixes. In many areas, there are rescues that take and place bully breeds. It's easy to find breed specific rescues; just Google "Pitbull rescue IL" (or whatever breed and state or city). 

In order to offer to foster a dog, you do have to have an organization that is willing to take that dog into their adoption program, for which you would be volunteering. 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

You know what's disturbing? I recently happened upon a facebook page called 'petslist' or something like that, which was started for people to post their dogs for free without the hassle of craigslist flaggers. What a shame. the good news is that it appeared facebook had scheduled the page to be deleted.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I am pleasantly surprised that FB is going to have the page deleted. I recently learned that there are "garage sale" groups on FB where dogs and other pets are advertised for rehome. One person bought someone's unwanted doodle for $25. So sad and scary. 

[Adina P]

There is a local fb yard sale group i belong to and every now and then there are pups being sold or dogs rehomed that way.  Hate it.  Some have started a separate place to list them.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, "yard sale" groups is what they're called. Around here we call them "garage sales", same thing. Sickening.

[Breanna]

This is what I sent

http://redding.craigslist.org/zip/4230535214.html

Hello, I don't know if you still have your dog, but I wanted to warn you about the dangers of posting him on craigslist.  There are many people who take craigslist dogs only to use them for fighting or testing in a science lab. This is a list of shelters and rescues in town.

http://loveyourpetexpo.com/shelters.html

 I suggest calling around to find a no-kill shelter that might take him until he can be placed. They have more thorough adoption processes. Their re-homing fee, home visits, and reputability weed out the criminals. I would hate for your beautiful dog to end up in the wrong hands. Enjoy the holidays. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It was very kind of you to take the time and trouble to try to help this dog. I hope the owner heeds your advice. 

[Breanna]

I also replied to one who listed a little dog. The poster said "I can keep him, but I think he would be better in a different home" so I suggested keeping him and if she decides to re-home, only giving him to a friend she knows personally. I just can't imagine...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Neither can I.