STOP 'FREE ANIMAL' POSTINGS ON CRAIGSLIST!

A recent study at one animal shelter yielded the startling statistic that 51% of all owner-surrendered dogs had been purchased for less than $100; 41% of all owner-surrendered dogs had been obtained "Free to good home."

1) People value what they pay for. Pets obtained for free are less likely to be spayed or neutered by their new owners and more likely to be abused and/or discarded, because "there are plenty more where that came from!"

2)"Bunchers" gather free pets until they have enough for a trip to a Class B dealer who is licensed by the USDA to sell animals from "random sources" for research. While these 'bunchers' may only get $25 a head for former pets and unwanted animals, a dealer can net between $100 - $450 per animal. A Class B dealer often has a contract with certain facilities, or will transport them to other areas within or outside the state from which the animal was obtained.

3) Free animals are taken to "blood" pit-bulls--to train fighting dogs how to kill, and to enjoy it. This usually includes dogs and cats of any size. Often, a larger dog's muzzle will be duct-taped shut so that he can't bite back, and the fighting dog will gain confidence in killing a dog larger than himself.

4) One "adopter" took free kittens to his "good home"--as dinner for a pet snake.

5) Un-spayed or unneutered pure-bred dogs often end up as "breeding stock" in the puppy mill trade.

6) Animal "hoarders" watch the newspapers and craigslist for animals being offered as 'Free to Good Home'. These hoarders truly believe they are 'rescuing' the animals, when in fact, they are creating unhealthy environments for the animals they bring in.