topic Re: Craigslist question... in Community Chat

Craigslist question...

Lovemyboots — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 20:37:26 GMT

I was wondering...is there any way that you can tell if someone re-homing a dog on Craigslist is legitimate or not? I see all these dogs on there but then I hear all the bad things that happen too. So just wondered if there was something that wd kind of give them away that it was a scam or not?

Re: Craigslist question...

conlt — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 00:04:04 GMT

I saw on the news, that people take dogs that others are giving away and then sell them. So the dogs owner thinks they are giving it away to a good home and those people sell it. So awful what happens to animals.

Re: Craigslist question...

Lovemyboots — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 04:28:43 GMT

On 8/13/2014 conlt said: I saw on the news, that people take dogs that others are giving away and then sell them. So the dogs owner thinks they are giving it away to a good home and those people sell it. So awful what happens to animals.

How sad! I have been looking for a friend for our little NiKi have been looking at local Shelters but a friend told me of a little girl dog she saw on there. I guess I have heard so many bad things abt CL that it just scares me about getting anything on there!

Re: Craigslist question...

RainyDayGal — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 04:29:49 GMT

There are so many dogs being stolen where I live it's crazy. Some people are keeping them, some do try to sell them on Craig's list or in front of pet stores.

I guess all you can do is take the dog to the vet and check to see if it has a microchip. It's amazing to me how many people don't get their pets chipped.

Re: Craigslist question...

feline groovy — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 11:36:26 GMT

Why don't you use Petfinder instead? It's way more reputable, and a lot less dangerous.

Re: Craigslist question...

JeanLouiseFinch — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 12:15:15 GMT

On 8/13/2014 henny said:
On 8/13/2014 conlt said: I saw on the news, that people take dogs that others are giving away and then sell them. So the dogs owner thinks they are giving it away to a good home and those people sell it. So awful what happens to animals.
How sad! I have been looking for a friend for our little NiKi have been looking at local Shelters but a friend told me of a little girl dog she saw on there. I guess I have heard so many bad things abt CL that it just scares me about getting anything on there!

Something similar was just exposed here in my neck of the woods via the community FB page. I don't know if the authorities are involved at this point or the status, if they are. If they aren't, they surely should be!

There's a couple who goes to various garage sales and talk the homeowners out of stuff, feigning poverty and hardship so they'll get it for free. They then turn around and sell the merchandise. I don't know if they really need the money or if they're buying drugs. The same couple finds dogs via local ads, FB, or CL, when they're the "free to a good home" type ads. Sometimes they might be re-sold, but the ugly side is that these dogs have been obtained for use in training other fighting dogs. It's all so awful.

Henny, if you're giving dogs away, I don't know how you can control what happens on the other end short of doing background checks on the people and it's doubtful anyone would want to pay that expense for a free dog. KWIM? The only time it becomes evident is when it's happening with the same people over and over and an investigation ensues, as I hope it will with the people I already mentioned.

As for obtaining a dog, I believe it's best to go with a private breeder, breed rescue operation, local humane society adoption, or Petfinders where they have screening abilities available.

Re: Craigslist question...

JeanLouiseFinch — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 12:20:16 GMT

On 8/13/2014 RedConvertibleGirl said:
There are so many dogs being stolen where I live it's crazy. Some people are keeping them, some do try to sell them on Craig's list or in front of pet stores.

I guess all you can do is take the dog to the vet and check to see if it has a microchip. It's amazing to me how many people don't get their pets chipped.

A microchip is only as good as the person who finds a wandering dog and wants to do the right thing to try and get him/her back to the rightful owner.

Re: Craigslist question...

feline groovy — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 13:13:56 GMT

BTW, giving dogs away can damm them to a life of painful experimentation in laboratories.

Thieves know that labs will pay for good specimens, and often make up an excuse as to why they want to 'adopt' them.

Also - and beyond the obvious health dangers - never leave your dog in the outside part of your truck, as they can easily be stolen then sold to labs.

And especially if they're a purebreed or puppy, to be re-sold for money or given to someone (including themselves) as a gift.

Re: Craigslist question...

depglass — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 15:06:09 GMT

I've read that Overstock is running a pet finder website. I hope it has more safeguards than Craigslist.

Re: Craigslist question...

jaxs mom — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 17:44:07 GMT

It's technically against the rules to sell animals on craigslist.

Re: Craigslist question...

Lovemyboots — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 18:20:18 GMT

On 8/14/2014 jaxs mom said:
It's technically against the rules to sell animals on craigslist.

Yes I saw a post about that the other day on Craigslist. I was just looking to find another little dog. We have a rescue we have had for about 1 1/2 years and he is such a joy! Wonderful little dog. I think I will just keep checking the local shelter. So far they have had a lot of really big dogs. My little boy is just 15 lbs. And we have a 15 yr. old little female who is 8lbs. So I really would rather not put a big dog with them. My dogs both sleep with us so small would be nice! LOL

Re: Craigslist question...

Lovemyboots — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 19:47:34 GMT

Ok I took the plunge & contacted a person who has an ad on CraigsList for a little 5 yr old dog. They said he was found running lose in park several months ago, starving, front teeth were missing & looked like had been mistreated. He is in a foster home right now. They say he is a loving little dog. Waiting to see if they contact me back! When & if they do we are going to go see him. Also hoping we qualify to adopt him.

Re: Craigslist question...

Lovemyboots — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 20:58:43 GMT

Lady text me back....they found a home for the little dog. I'm sad but glad he got a home. Hope it is a good one & they love him & take good care of him.

Re: Craigslist question...

feline groovy — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 23:05:31 GMT

Why don't you just use Petfinder.com to search for exactly what you want???

You can specify location, size, breed(s), gender, neutered/spayed, age, etc.. They list ALL of the shelters and rescue groups nationwide.

It's so much easier and safer than impulsively contacting a Craigslist poster.

Re: Craigslist question...

Snowpuppy — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 23:41:39 GMT

On 8/14/2014 jaxs mom said:
It's technically against the rules to sell animals on craigslist.

Up here they are called "pet flippers". Think of house flipping for pets.

It's a cottage industry. People take in pets and charge a "small" rehoming fee of up to $200. Always the same people, same type of ad worded the same way with a different sob story as to why they have to give up their "beloved" pet that they've had a week.

Posters on CL up here will point them out. I've noticed this on Hoobly as well. Back yard breeders that can't spell "Shepard" for a GSD's or can't spell the breed of the dog they have for sale. And they're all pedigreed with papers, of course.

People have started flagging the ads.

Re: Craigslist question...

Calgal2too — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 17:02:49 GMT

Henny, interesting that your shelter would have mostly big dogs. Where I volunteer, it's just the opposite: lots of chihuahua and chihuahua mixes.

And before you discount this breed, spend some time with them. While some of them are, indeed, shaky little yappers, many are lovely dogs with great personalities. I will admit to having had a bias against them myself, until I trained as a dog socializer and learned just how wrong I was.

Anyway, do so more looking around. Check out reputable breeders (your shelter should be able to hook you up). Just don't go to a pet store.

I would never, ever trust a stranger giving away an animal. There are too many other responsible ways of handling a situation in which you can't, for whatever reason, properly care for an animal. When the economy was in really bad shape, we had all kinds of people surrender their pets because they simply couldn't care for them any longer. It was heartbreaking, and I applauded their decision.

Re: Craigslist question...

Lovemyboots — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 22:11:52 GMT

I tried petfinder but didn't really find anything that would work with my 2. But will keep looking. We are going to start looking in the shelters here. I thought I might also give them my name & about what we are looking for. A general idea. We are not sit in stone on any particular breed or anything. When we got our little rescue NiKi we had went to a rescue group to look at a 4 yr old female shihtzu & fell totally in love with this guy! He is a ShihTzu/poodle mix. He had some health problems & no one wanted to adopt him. Lady really talked to us about taking him. I know now she really cared about him & was worried about him. We had already been approved to adopt. So we took a chance & so glad we did. Was worried several times that he might not make it. But we have a great vet who helped us & we just would not give up on him. He is so adorable! And what a character he is! So we know we might go with one thing in mind & get our minds changed! LOL We just feel we are all, ready to welcome another little one into our home & lives!

Re: Craigslist question...

F1wild — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 23:34:46 GMT

Henny - You can use Petfinder for more than just specific breeds. You can do an open breed search and just plug in size. Also look for dogs that are similar, but not perfect for you then use the rescue group (who have the ad on PF) for additional searches. I'm sure there are probably tons of rescue groups (not all breed specific) in your area that you've never even heard of. Going through a rescue group is great as most likely they have lots of pups in foster homes, waiting for the right furever home. You can usually do a trial period before a permanent adoption. I have 2 rescue Shelties, 2 rescue kitties (Siamese & Mitted Ragdoll) and have fostered 3 pups in the last 2 years that are now part of great families.

If you need help, I'd be happy to do some searches for you. I'm recuperating from CA and while I'm stuck doing nothing I love to help find homes for pets and pets for homes.