Pet Re-homing on PKF is by Offers Only

PKF will now only allow gifting of pets as offers. Want posts for pets are no longer allowed.

Freecycle gifting of pets has always been a controversial subject. Many other freecycle gifting groups don't allow re-homing of pets at all. There are compelling arguments for both sides of the issue.

At PKF we feel that more good is done for the pets by allowing pet adoptions than by not allowing them. In the past, we have allowed pet adoption posts as offers as well as wanteds.

Over the 18 months I have been group facilitator, our pet adoption policy has generated a fair number of letters from members who are very concerned about allowing pets to be re-homed for free. They are mostly concerned that a free pet will go to a home which doesn't have the financial resources to give the pet the best of care--food, medical care and shelter. They argue that mainstream rescues and pet adoption services like Kalamazoo Animal Control are not free and good medical care for pets is expensive.

OTOH, even though some pet adoptions aren't ideal we believe that most of the time the pets go to a better situation than where they came from.

That being said, it has become clear that freecycle pet gifting is inherently different than the normal types of items gifted on the list. Pets are living animals that are dependent on their owners for basic survival. An old dresser, desk or stove might be items that you would want out of your garage or basement but an unwanted pet is a hardship on the owner.

We already limit pet adoptions for purposes of breeding. We are now limiting pet adoptions a bit further by not allowing want posts for them. Even though members who intend to give a pet a good home will not be able to post wants for them anymore they still can keep an eye out for offers.

Most of the pet want posts are pretty specific about the pet they want. Having preferences is fine but it is a slim chance that asking for a specific pet will do any unwanted pet out there that needs good home right then any good. Pet adoptions work on PKF by having offers accepted rather than wanted's met.

I believe that many of our members, like myself, have a lot of stuff laying around that they might gift to a want post. But I don't think there are any pet owners out there hoping to find a better home for their unwanted pet are going to be more likely to fill a want for their pet then to just list it as an offer. Pet adopters still can have their preferences and requirements as they choose respond or no to the offers.

I am on other lists for freecycle moderators on the state and national/world level. By reading what other moderators are saying, I am finding out that most all of the pet abuse problems coming out of freecycle gifting are from wanted's. I feel that limiting pet posts this way is in the best interests of the pets.

Even though there are members who intend to do the right thing for an unwanted pet using a want post, in the best interests of freecycle gifted pets there will be no pet wanted posts on PKF.

peace,
ed
list facilitator

Gift: Something that is bestowed voluntarily and without compensation. A valid gift requires: (1) a competent donor; (2) an eligible donee; (3) an existing identifiable thing or interest; (4) an intention to donate; (5) delivery; i.e., a transfer of possession to or for the donee and a relinquishment.