No animal policy

An example of a local no-animal policy that a community could adapt for its own use:

Aim of [Community Name]'s Animal Policy

That no offers or requests for pets appear on [Community Name] Freegle, and that members hoping to offer or request an animal are referred to an appropriate organisation within 24 hours.

1. Members

1.1. All members are informed that animal offers and requests are not allowed on [Community Name]. No exceptions. This is done on joining, in a regular email, and on an as-required basis.

1.2. Any member attempting to offer or request an animal, whether on the main board or in the Cafe group, is reminded of this policy.

1.3. Members can contact the moderators via the community's usual volunteer contact address.

2. Group Management

2.1. There is a link to this policy on the community's home page and in its etiquette/guidelines file.

2.2. Group moderators do not give specific advice on rehoming an animal, but provide a list of relevant animal rehoming organisations or sanctuaries as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours of the member's initial contact.

2.3. Any animal offers or requests that do appear (from members not on moderation) are removed immediately, and the member is informed/reminded of the policy. Where appropriate, an admin message reminds the whole community of the policy.

2.4. A member contacting the moderators to offer an animal is never put directly in touch with another member known to have requested one.

2.5. Moderators never give rehoming 'advice' beyond referring the member to a relevant rehoming organisation.

2.6. The rest of the moderating team is kept aware of ongoing communications between any moderator and any member about an animal issue.

2.7. There is a comprehensive list of links to animal rehoming organisations (especially local ones that don't put animals to sleep) - see Animal Rehoming Links.

2.8. The group owner(s) ensure that a moderator has followed up on each animal query or issue in line with this policy.

3. Pet Moderator

3.1. The group may choose to have a moderator responsible for animal issues (see Pet Mods). In the absence of a pet moderator, see point 2.8.

3.2. Any named pet moderator is a member of the relevant national and pet-specific mod groups, to keep up to date with Freegle's animal policies.

3.3. The pet moderator informs the group owner(s) of any planned leave longer than 24 hours, so another moderator can cover any queries.

3.4. The pet moderator operates strictly within this policy when representing the group, even if they have extensive personal experience of animal rescue and rehoming.

4. Review of Policy

4.1. This policy is reviewed at least every 6 months by the full moderating team, to ensure it remains consistent with Freegle's rules.

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