Pets and animals - Revision history

Neville Reid: link Animal Rehoming Links

2025-07-31T16:21:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:21, 31 July 2025
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	Links:		Links:
	*[[Specific Items]]		*[[Specific Items]]
			*[[Animal Rehoming Links]]
	*[[Tortoises]]		*[[Tortoises]]
	*[[Frogspawn]]		*[[Frogspawn]]

Neville Reid: rewording including mods -> volunteers, group -> community, cafe -> ChitChat

2024-11-07T17:26:26Z

rewording including mods -> volunteers, group -> community, cafe -> ChitChat

Neville Reid: update link

2023-05-18T09:35:46Z

update link

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:35, 18 May 2023
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	====Rejection Message for post====		====Rejection Message for post====
	A sample message for rejection of a post on your group - [[Animals]]		A sample message for rejection of a post on your group: [[Animals (rejection message)]]

Neville Reid: sort key: blank, to show this page at the top of Category:Pets/Animals

2023-05-18T09:33:25Z

sort key: blank, to show this page at the top of Category:Pets/Animals

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:33, 18 May 2023
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	~~[[Category:Pets/Animals]]~~
	The question whether or not to allow pets and other animals to be offered or requested on Freegle can be a controversial one. It is also a decision that is up to local groups to decide on their main message boards. On Chitchat, a rule was adopted in July 2022 that no live creatures can be offered, requested of sold - [[ChitChat#Moderation]]		The question whether or not to allow pets and other animals to be offered or requested on Freegle can be a controversial one. It is also a decision that is up to local groups to decide on their main message boards. On Chitchat, a rule was adopted in July 2022 that no live creatures can be offered, requested of sold - [[ChitChat#Moderation]]

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	*[[Frogspawn]]		*[[Frogspawn]]

			[[Category:Pets/Animals\| ]]
	[[category:Specific Items]]		[[category:Specific Items]]

Jacky at 10:18, 28 July 2022

2022-07-28T10:18:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:18, 28 July 2022
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	[[Category:Pets/Animals]]		[[Category:Pets/Animals]]
	The question whether or not to allow pets and other animals to be offered on Freegle can be a controversial one. It is also a decision that is up to local groups to decide.		The question whether or not to allow pets and other animals to be offered or requested on Freegle can be a controversial one. It is also a decision that is up to local groups to decide on their main message boards. On Chitchat, a rule was adopted in July 2022 that no live creatures can be offered, requested of sold - [[ChitChat#Moderation]]

	(‘Other animals’ include live animal feed, e.g. mice or locusts to be fed to reptiles, and livestock, e.g. poultry.)		(‘Other animals’ include live animal feed, e.g. mice or locusts to be fed to reptiles, and livestock, e.g. poultry.)

Jacky: /* Your Group's Policy */

2022-07-28T10:00:55Z

Your Group's Policy

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:00, 28 July 2022
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	* Whether to run a poll on the group - if you have polled your members, that can be helpful when dealing with complaints. Be aware that there have been instances of news of such a poll might reach organisations who have very strong opinions on the subject, and they may encourage people to join your group with the single purpose of voting on the poll. You may want to consider suspending new applications for the duration of the poll.		* Whether to run a poll on the group - if you have polled your members, that can be helpful when dealing with complaints. Be aware that there have been instances of news of such a poll might reach organisations who have very strong opinions on the subject, and they may encourage people to join your group with the single purpose of voting on the poll. You may want to consider suspending new applications for the duration of the poll.
	* The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (http://paag.org.uk/) offers good advice for those wanting a new pet and is a good resource for your group to use to help members. The RSPCA, Blue Cross and other major charities are all members of PAAG. They are all concerned with inappropriate online advertising of animals.		* The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (http://paag.org.uk/) offers good advice for those wanting a new pet and is a good resource for your group to use to help members. The RSPCA, Blue Cross and other major charities are all members of PAAG. They are all concerned with inappropriate online advertising of animals.
			* Lucy's Law covers the selling and adoption of puppies and we should be mindful of the implications if puppies are offered or requested on Freegle - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lucys-law-spells-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-puppy-farming
			* A checklist - https://icatcare.org/advice/the-kitten-checklist/ - for rehoming kittens is worth considering if you intend to allow kittens to be offered and/or requested.

	===Advantages in allowing Animal posts===		===Advantages in allowing Animal posts===

Jacky at 11:00, 28 April 2022

2022-04-28T11:00:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:00, 28 April 2022
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	Some groups do not allow animal posts of any description, some allow offers but not wanteds. Some allow posts for animals that local centres do not cater for, such as fish.		Some groups do not allow animal posts of any description, some allow offers but not wanteds. Some allow posts for animals that local centres do not cater for, such as fish.

			PETA wrote to the Board in 2022 asking for a national policy prohibiting offers of live animals. The Board discussed it and decided it was to remain a local decision. https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/message-from-peta/4918

	===Your Group's Policy===		===Your Group's Policy===

Edwh: /* General Reply as used nationally */

2021-05-03T10:20:40Z

General Reply as used nationally

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:20, 3 May 2021
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	The central Freegle mailbox gets the occasional member complaining about their local group allowing animal posts. Where possible, all emails are forwarded to the local group concerned to deal with, but often members want Freegle to adopt a national policy. An example of the Mailbox response to that type of email is:		The central Freegle mailbox gets the occasional member complaining about their local group allowing animal posts. Where possible, all emails are forwarded to the local group concerned to deal with, but often members want Freegle to adopt a national policy. An example of the Mailbox response to that type of email is:

	"Thank you very much for your concern. We have guidelines for groups that offer pets which mention the points you have made but as we are a network of independent groups, each group has ~~it's~~ own policy on whether live creatures can be rehomed via their community.		"Thank you very much for your concern. We have guidelines for groups that offer pets which mention the points you have made but as we are a network of independent groups, each group has its own policy on whether live creatures can be rehomed via their community.

	You have mentioned cats and dogs, but our groups are offered a much larger - and usually less emotive - range of live creatures. Hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, fish, giant land snails, snakes, locusts and others have all been offered. When deciding on a local policy, the moderating team will take the whole range of animals into account in their decision.		You have mentioned cats and dogs, but our groups are offered a much larger - and usually less emotive - range of live creatures. Hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, fish, giant land snails, snakes, locusts and others have all been offered. When deciding on a local policy, the moderating team will take the whole range of animals into account in their decision.
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	All our volunteers take seriously their responsibilities in running their groups. As we are a network of individual groups, run by local people, we are able to respond to local need. You haven't mentioned which charity or group you represent, but if animal welfare charities offered their help and time to their local Freegle group, it could provide a much better situation for the many unwanted live creatures there are in the UK."		All our volunteers take seriously their responsibilities in running their groups. As we are a network of individual groups, run by local people, we are able to respond to local need. You haven't mentioned which charity or group you represent, but if animal welfare charities offered their help and time to their local Freegle group, it could provide a much better situation for the many unwanted live creatures there are in the UK."


	====Rejection Message for post====		====Rejection Message for post====

Jacky: /* Rejection Message for post */

2021-02-14T17:41:41Z

Rejection Message for post

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:41, 14 February 2021
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	~~Back to~~ [[Specific Items]]		Links:
			*[[Specific Items]]
			*[[Tortoises]]
			*[[Frogspawn]]

	[[category:Specific Items]]		[[category:Specific Items]]

WildVirtue at 12:35, 5 October 2019

2019-10-05T12:35:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:35, 5 October 2019
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	*Allowing pets gives members more choice as to how they can use their group, making the group less restrictive.		*Allowing pets gives members more choice as to how they can use their group, making the group less restrictive.


	===Disadvantages in allowing Animal posts===		===Disadvantages in allowing Animal posts===

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:26, 7 November 2024
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	The question whether or not to allow pets and other animals to be offered or requested on Freegle can be a controversial one. It is also a decision that is up to local ~~groups~~ to decide on their main message boards. On ~~Chitchat~~, ~~a rule was adopted in July 2022 that~~ no live creatures can be offered, requested of sold - [[ChitChat#Moderation]]		The question whether or not to allow pets and other animals to be offered or requested on Freegle can be a controversial one. It is also a decision that is up to local communities to decide on their main message boards. On ChitChat, no live creatures can be offered, requested or sold – this rule was adopted in July 2022, see [[ChitChat#Moderation]].

	(‘Other animals’ include live animal feed, e.g. mice or locusts to be fed to reptiles, and livestock, e.g. poultry.)		(‘Other animals’ include live animal feed, e.g. mice or locusts to be fed to reptiles, and livestock, e.g. poultry.)

	Some ~~groups~~ do not allow animal posts of any description, some allow offers but not wanteds. Some allow posts for animals that local centres do not cater for, such as fish.		Some communities do not allow animal posts of any description; some allow offers but not wanteds. Some allow posts for animals that local centres do not cater for, such as fish.

	PETA wrote to the Board in 2022 asking for a national policy prohibiting offers of live animals. The Board discussed it and decided it was to remain a local decision. https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/message-from-peta/4918		PETA wrote to the Board in 2022 asking for a national policy prohibiting offers of live animals. The Board discussed it and decided it was to remain a local decision. https://discourse.ilovefreegle.org/t/message-from-peta/4918

	===Your ~~Group~~'s ~~Policy~~===		===Your community's policy===

	When deciding whether or not to allow pet and animal posts the ~~moderator~~ team may want to consider the following:		When deciding whether or not to allow pet and animal posts the volunteer team may want to consider the following:
	* What local facilities are already available for re-homing pets, such as rescue centres.		* What local facilities are already available for re-homing pets, such as rescue centres.
	* Whether the ~~group~~ is an urban one or a rural one.		* Whether the community is an urban one or a rural one.
	* Whether the ~~moderator~~ team have the time and experience to give to this.		* Whether the volunteer team have the time and experience to give to this.
	* Whether to run a poll on the ~~group~~ - if you have polled your members, that can be helpful when dealing with complaints. Be aware that there have been instances of news of such a poll might reach organisations who have very strong opinions on the subject, and they may encourage people to join your ~~group~~ with the single purpose of voting on the poll. You may want to consider suspending new applications for the duration of the poll.		* Whether to run a poll on the community - if you have polled your members, that can be helpful when dealing with complaints. Be aware that there have been instances of news of such a poll might reach organisations who have very strong opinions on the subject, and they may encourage people to join your community with the single purpose of voting on the poll. You may want to consider suspending new applications for the duration of the poll.
	* The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (http://paag.org.uk/) offers good advice for those wanting a new pet and is a good resource for your ~~group~~ to use to help members. The RSPCA, Blue Cross and other major charities are all members of PAAG. They are all concerned with inappropriate online advertising of animals.		* The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (http://paag.org.uk/) offers good advice for those wanting a new pet and is a good resource for your community to use to help members. The RSPCA, Blue Cross and other major charities are all members of PAAG. They are all concerned with inappropriate online advertising of animals.
	* Lucy's Law covers the selling and adoption of puppies and we should be mindful of the implications if puppies are offered or requested on Freegle - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lucys-law-spells-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-puppy-farming		* Lucy's Law covers the selling and adoption of puppies and we should be mindful of the implications if puppies are offered or requested on Freegle - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lucys-law-spells-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-puppy-farming
	* A checklist - https://icatcare.org/advice/the-kitten-checklist/ - for rehoming kittens is worth considering if you intend to allow kittens to be offered and/or requested.		* A checklist - https://icatcare.org/advice/the-kitten-checklist/ - for rehoming kittens is worth considering if you intend to allow kittens to be offered and/or requested.
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	*Members may wish to have contact with the person they re-home their pet with.		*Members may wish to have contact with the person they re-home their pet with.

	*Allowing pets gives members more choice as to how they can use their ~~group~~, making the ~~group~~ less restrictive.		*Allowing pets gives members more choice as to how they can use their community, making the community less restrictive.


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	*Can increase workload.		*Can increase workload.

	*Can increase the number of complaints both the ~~group~~ and Freegle nationally gets - people have been known to boycott ~~groups~~ that allow animal posts.		*Can increase the number of complaints both the community and Freegle nationally gets - people have been known to boycott communities that allow animal posts.

	*You may feel uneasy about animals being re-homed without the safety checks and vetting (pun intended) offered by rescue centres.		*You may feel uneasy about animals being re-homed without the safety checks and vetting (pun intended) offered by rescue centres.
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	* Keep an up to date list of local and national animal rescue centres to send to people wanting to rehome live creatures (See [[Animal Rehoming Links]] )		* Keep an up to date list of local and national animal rescue centres to send to people wanting to rehome live creatures (See [[Animal Rehoming Links]] )

	* Establish a good relationship with your local rescue and rehoming centres - your ~~group~~ can help them with things they want (bedding, carriers, baskets, cages etc) and you will be in a stronger position if you do get challenged if you can respond with well informed information about your ~~group~~'s policy.		* Establish a good relationship with your local rescue and rehoming centres – your community can help them with things they want (bedding, carriers, baskets, cages etc) and you will be in a stronger position if you do get challenged if you can respond with well informed information about your community's policy.

	* Get a Pet Mod. A Pet Mod is solely in charge of handling all animal posts. See [[Pet Mods]] for some guidance on how this role can be carried out.		* Get a Pet Mod. A Pet Mod is solely in charge of handling all animal posts. See [[Pet Mods]] for some guidance on how this role can be carried out.

	* Messages relating to lost pets are ~~really~~ more suited to ~~café groups~~ than to the main Freegle ~~groups~~.		* Messages relating to lost pets are more suited to ChitChat than to the main Freegle boards.

	* An example of a local no-animal policy can be found [[no animal policy\|here]] and one allowing pets [[Local Pet Policy\|here]].		* An example of a local no-animal policy can be found [[no animal policy\|here]] and one allowing pets [[Local Pet Policy\|here]].
Line 55:		Line 55:
	====General Reply as used nationally====		====General Reply as used nationally====

	The central Freegle mailbox gets the occasional member complaining about their local ~~group~~ allowing animal posts. Where possible, all emails are forwarded to the local ~~group~~ concerned to deal with, but often members want Freegle to adopt a national policy. An example of the Mailbox response to that type of email is:		The central Freegle mailbox gets the occasional member complaining about their local community allowing animal posts. Where possible, all emails are forwarded to the local community concerned to deal with, but often members want Freegle to adopt a national policy. An example of the Mailbox response to that type of email is:

	"Thank you very much for your concern. We have guidelines for ~~groups~~ that offer pets which mention the points you have made but as we are a network of independent ~~groups~~, each ~~group~~ has its own policy on whether live creatures can be rehomed via their community.		"Thank you very much for your concern. We have guidelines for communities that offer pets which mention the points you have made but as we are a network of independent communities, each community has its own policy on whether live creatures can be rehomed via their community.

	You have mentioned cats and dogs, but our ~~groups~~ are offered a much larger - and usually less emotive - range of live creatures. Hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, fish, giant land snails, snakes, locusts and others have all been offered. When deciding on a local policy, the ~~moderating~~ team will take the whole range of animals into account in their decision.		You have mentioned cats and dogs, but our communities are offered a much larger - and usually less emotive - range of live creatures. Hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, fish, giant land snails, snakes, locusts and others have all been offered. When deciding on a local policy, the volunteer team will take the whole range of animals into account in their decision.

	Some of our ~~groups~~ allow no live creatures at all, some allow small creatures, others allow all animals. Each ~~group~~ responds to the local need for rehoming, which often charities are not able to fulfill. The first port of call is always recommended to be local rehoming centres but usually those with cats and dogs have already unsuccessfully tried that avenue. There are very few, if any, outlets nationwide for fish, rodents, reptiles, birds etc. With the current economic situation creating record numbers of unwanted dogs and cats for charities to deal with, other creatures can stand little chance of rehoming because it is traditionally cats, dogs and horse/donkey charities that attract the financial and emotional support of the public.		Some of our communities allow no live creatures at all, some allow small creatures, others allow all animals. Each community responds to the local need for rehoming, which often charities are not able to fulfill. The first port of call is always recommended to be local rehoming centres but usually those with cats and dogs have already unsuccessfully tried that avenue. There are very few, if any, outlets nationwide for fish, rodents, reptiles, birds etc. With the current economic situation creating record numbers of unwanted dogs and cats for charities to deal with, other creatures can stand little chance of rehoming because it is traditionally cats, dogs and horse/donkey charities that attract the financial and emotional support of the public.

	All our volunteers take seriously their responsibilities in running their ~~groups~~. As we are a network of individual ~~groups~~, run by local people, we are able to respond to local need. You haven't mentioned which charity or group you represent, but if animal welfare charities offered their help and time to their local Freegle ~~group~~, it could provide a much better situation for the many unwanted live creatures there are in the UK."		All our volunteers take seriously their responsibilities in running their communities. As we are a network of individual communities, run by local people, we are able to respond to local need. You haven't mentioned which charity or group you represent, but if animal welfare charities offered their help and time to their local Freegle community, it could provide a much better situation for the many unwanted live creatures there are in the UK."

	====Rejection Message for post====		====Rejection Message for post====
	A sample message for rejection of a post on your ~~group~~: [[Animals (rejection message)]]		A sample message for rejection of a post on your community: [[Animals (rejection message)]]