FREE—Take One
Volume 4, Issue 3
March 2014
The Scary Truth About
“Free to a Good Home” Dog Classifieds
Every responsible dog owner or pet parent knows that getting a dog is a
life-long commitment. But, there are times when even the most responsible owner must find a new home for their beloved pet.
Because most rescues and shelters are packed full, pet owners have an
increasingly tough time finding a good home for their pets and are turning to classified ads, like Craigslist or the local newspaper, thinking that
they’re doing the right thing. Many pet owners list their pets as “free to
a good home” because they don’t want to profit from a “sale” of their
pet when their only intention is finding them a good home.
So, what really happens to “free to a good home” dogs?
Last year, Jeffrey Nally Jr. was charged with 29 counts of animal cruelty
because of the massive number of dead animal found on his West
Virginia property. Nally had obtained at least 29 animals through “free
to a good home” Craigslist ads.
Dogfighting circles use free Craigslist dogs as “bait dogs” for training
their own dogs to fight, or they take in free dogs and train those to be
fighters as well.
Other groups, called “Bunchers” scour classifieds for free dogs, then sell
them to laboratories for animal research and experimentation.
And, sometimes, a free ad for re-homing a purebred, unaltered dog will
result in the former family dog being picked up by a puppy mill breeder
to spend the rest of his/her life as a caged, malnourished, unloved breeding machine.
Continued on Page 4
Pets for Adoption
Freckles (5 years old) is a good looking
man ! He is not for the casual pet owner
though. An Australian Shepherd/Border
Collie mix, Freckles is HIGH ENERGY
and needs an experienced owner that can
give him a job. He's a friendly guy and
good with other pets, but no kids.
Elsa, 5 year old Beagle mix. Elsa may have been a hunting dog
at one time but now she is only hunting for the perfect couch to lounge
on! She loves everyone she meets.
She does fine with other dogs but likes
her personal space, too. She is house
and crate-trained.
Asia, 5 year old Aussie mix, is super
sweet, gentle and well behaved. She is a
little on the nervous side around children
so would do best without kids under 10.
Asia has a sensitive tummy and must
stay on special food, but she is sooooo
worth it ! She is a very good girl.
Lorelei (2-4 years old) has had some hard times in her life. It
appears the left side of her head suffered a blow hard enough to
knock her nose sideways and rupture
her left eye. Understandably, she is a
little slow to trust, but once she does,
she is all love ! Although she LOVES
laps, Lorelei also likes to "run with the
big dogs" and is very playful and silly.
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Pets for Adoption
Cha Cha, 7 year old, female,
brown tabby. Cha Cha is a
friendly and laid back cat. Cha Cha
gets along with dogs, cats, and
kids.
Ajax, male, 4-5 years old.
Ajax is well-mannered and laid
back. Initially, he was nervous
around the dogs in his foster
home, but eventually warmed up
to them. Generally speaking, he
gets along well with everyone.
Domino, 6 month old male, who is playful
and energetic, but also like to cuddle. Why
hasn’t someone adopted this sweet boy??
Brenda, 9 month old female. Gets along
with other cats and older children. Never
been around dogs. Brenda is outgoing and
very friendly and loving. She’s a real
beauty!
For more information on any of these pets, either call
757-357-4214 or email: [email protected]
(Phone messages are not checked everyday.)
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Continued from Page 1
People answering the “free to a good home” ads will go to great lengths
to appear legitimately interested in providing a perfect, loving home for
the animal. They present themselves as well-to-do, responsible dog
lovers. They often bring children along to avoid suspicion. They will
make up elaborate stories about previous pets, a perfect home and yard,
and promise to provide a loving forever home. DON’T be fooled!
If, for some reason you must re-home your pet, and you have exhausted
all other alternatives, there are some steps you can take to ensure he
goes to a good home. Pet-Abuse.com offers up some wonderful tips for
pet owners facing this challenging dilemma.
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Don’t advertise “Free pet”
Spay/neuter the animal to avoid attracting backyard breeders or
puppy mill operators
Charge at least $25 to discourage resale of pets to labs and others
Ask each prospective owner for his/her veterinarian’s name as a
reference and check it.
Ask for identification in the form of a photo I.D. Write down the
information, or scan/photocopy it if possible
Ask for a phone number and explain that you’d like to check on
how the animal’s doing. An honest person will gladly share the
information with you.
Have the person sign an “adoption” contract concerning your pet
stating that they will not go to research. Having this in writing gives
you legal recourse.
Ask to visit the place where your pet will live before your release the pet
to the new owner. Always keep your safety in mind when visiting a
stranger’s home or allowing strangers into your home.
For more info on rehoming your pet, please read the article in its
entirety at: http://dogingtonpost.com/the-scary-truth-about-free-to-agood-home-dog-classifieds/#.UxTB9oVILbw
Also, check out: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/
finding_responsible_pet_home.html#.UxTCXIVILbw
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PETA’s Mobile Spay and Neuter Van (the SNIP Van) provides lowcost neuter/spays and vaccinations. The SNIP van will be in
Smithfield the 3rd Thursday of the month at Tractor Supply
Company, 13500 Benns Church Blvd.
For a complete list of services and prices, and to download
admission forms, please visit PETA’s website:
http://www.peta.org/about-peta/learn-about-peta/helping-animals
-in-hampton-roads/snip/
VACCINATIONS
$15 each for altered animals or
animals under 6 months
SPAY/NEUTER
Dog: $100 (spay) NEW
$80 (neuter)
Cat:
$45
Please note: Dogs and cats 6 months
of age or older that have not been
Animals older than 6 years 11
spayed or neutered will not be
months and weighing more than
vaccinated on the SNIP van..
70 lbs. will not be spayed/
neutered on the SNIP van
Appointments not necessary for
vaccinations.
Hours for vaccinations:
10-11 AM
Appointments required
for all spays/neuters. To
make an appointment, call
622-7382, option 3
Vaccine hour may be cancelled when
temperature is above 87 or below 40
degrees.
CASH or CREDIT
Policy Changes
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There will be a $20 minimum for all credit-card transactions
NEW
Any client who misses a scheduled appointment or cancels without at
least 24 hours’ notice will be charged a $25 deposit to schedule a new
appointment
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UPCOMING EVENTS
March 19: Tropical Smoothie Café Fundraiser, 5-8 PM
Eagle Harbor, Carrollton
March 20: SNIP Van (See page 5 for details).
April 12:
Farmers Market, Smithfield, 9 AM—1 PM
S
pring is coming and so is kitten season, the time
of year when shelters and recue groups become
flooded with unwanted litters. Sure kittens are cute,
but not when they are left on the street to fend for
themselves or turned over to shelters that are already
bursting at the seams.
The easiest way to help reduce the overwhelming
numbers of unwanted cats (and dogs) is to spay and
neuter your own pet and encourage others to do the same. Unaltered
pets are driven by their hormones and tend to sneak outdoors primarily
in search of a mate. Mating just once can start a domino effect that can
result in dozens, even hundreds or thousands of unwanted animals. .
SPAY AND NEUTER, PLEASE
See our adoptable cats and dogs every week:
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Saturday 12-5
Sunday 12-5
Sunday 12-5
Jefferson Avenue
Newport News
Jefferson Commons
Newport News
“How do you spell love?” - Piglet
“You don't spell it...you feel it.” - Pooh
~Winnie the Pooh, by A.A.Milne
“You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you
seem, and smarter than you think.”
~Winnie the Pooh, by A.A.Milne
2013 ADOPTION STATISTICS for
Isle of Wight County Humane Society
318
DOGS
254
CATS
9
OTHER
581
TOTAL
WELL
DONE
These numbers reflect
adoptions done by the
Humane Society only
and do not include
shelter statistics.
Want your pet to be a star in our 2015 Humane Society
Calendar? Only two spots left. Call before
it’s too late!
Linda 357-6649 or Cindy 356-9067
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU
Horseman’s One Stop
Thomas & Ventriss Whelan
Deborah Edwards
Sue Hall
April Rich
Jessica Bohn
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The Humane Society holds meetings twice a month, on
second Mondays and fourth Wednesdays. Please come to
a meeting and learn more about us.
We don’t bite!
Mon
Mar 10
6 PM
Nike Park Senior Center
Wed
Mar 26
7 PM
IOW Rescue Squad, 1802A Church
Street, Smithfield
Mon
Apr 7
6 PM
Nike Park Senior Center
Wed
Apr 23
7 PM
IOW Rescue Squad, 1802A Church
Street, Smithfield
The IOW Humane Society is an all volunteer organization
that receives no government funding. We depend on
corporate and private donations to fund our work. We have
no office, no building and no salaries. Therefore, all money
collected goes directly to the care of animals in our county.
If you would like to make a donation, please send your tax
deductible contribution to:
Isle of Wight County Humane Society
PO Box 273
Smithfield, VA 23431
Or, donate on our website, using our Paypal Donate button.
You do not have to be a member of Paypal
to make a donation.
PH: (757)357-4214
FAX: (757)365-4207
www.iowchs.org
Email: [email protected]
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