Local Pet Policy

This is a suggested policy that your group can adopt if you decide to allow posts about animals.

There are some special issues around animal-related OFFERED posts that you should keep in mind:

1. xxxxx Freegle does not accept posts for animals for breeding purposes. Posts are limited to animals wanted as family pets only.
2. Any pet listed as an OFFER on this board has to be legal for anyone to own in this jurisdiction or town - so, for example, a pet Asian tiger can't be offered on the board, no matter how "nice" it is. Cases of abuse will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
3. Wanted posts for animals are no longer accepted.
4. OFFERED posts should be as specific as possible. People placing such posts should realise that, although this is a moderated list, moderators can't screen potential adoptive homes. Unless you're fully comfortable that someone responding will give your animal a proper, loving home, we urge you to explore other options, such as your local animal protection group or breed rescue - many take pets at no charge and find them good homes. Follow local laws on offering kittens or puppies aged 8 weeks or younger.
5. Freegle takes no responsibility for animals placed or sought through the list, its participants or bystanders. We strongly discourage exchanging any animal if there's any sign that a potential owner isn't loving and responsible. If you're rehoming an animal and aren't prepared to spend the time needed to ensure it a loving, adequate home, we urge you to contact a local non-profit shelter or rescue organisation instead.
6. These issues are serious enough that abusing the animal policy may mean all your posts need moderator approval or, in extreme cases, that you're banned from the group. Any pet post that breaks these guidelines will be removed immediately.
7. Ask the potential owner questions to satisfy yourself your pet is going to a good home. Suggested questions:
   • Do you work? Does your partner work? How much time each day will you have to play with, feed and care for the pet? Will it be alone all day, or do you have a pet sitter or day care?
   • How many people are in the home (adults and children, and children's ages)?
   • What kind of housing do you have - flat or house?
   • If you rent, do you have your landlord's permission to keep a pet? Would you provide their name and phone number?
   • Do you have a fenced garden or yard? What height and type of fence?
   • What pets do you currently have? Type, age and sex?
   • What pets have you had in the past 5 years? What happened to them?
   • Do you have a vet? If so, their name and phone number, and have you used them before?
   • Your full name, address, email and/or phone number, so we can check on the pet from time to time.
   • Why are you interested in this pet? What type of pet would suit your lifestyle?
   • Does anyone at home have pet allergies?
   • Who will be responsible for the pet's care?
   • Where will the pet be kept, day and night?
   • If a dog, will it be tied up or live outside?
   • What will you do with the pet when you're on holiday?
   • What activities would you do with the pet?
   • Are you knowledgeable about caring for this type of pet, including the time needed for training and care such as medication and grooming?
   • If you're unable to care for the pet in future, who would take over?
   • At least two references (family, friend etc), with names and phone numbers.
   • Would you be willing to let us visit your home to check it's ready and suitable for the pet?
8. Please make sure you get or give all the pet's veterinary and medical records, including vaccination records - this matters when you first take the pet to the vet for a check-up.

Thanks for loving your pets. We understand that rehoming a pet is difficult, both emotionally and practically. We hope the above questions and tips are helpful.

Note: if you're part of a non-profit animal rescue organisation, let the group moderators know off-list. If it's a legitimate, registered organisation, we can add it to our links or resource files on the website. If you want to post on behalf of such an organisation - for example for items wanted - please give an address and phone number so items can be delivered directly to the organisation.

Visit http://www.rspca.org.uk/ for many other pet-related resources.

xxxxx Freegle Group

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