Besides your local animal shelter, Craigslist is also a wonderful way to find a new pet! There are so many people who can no longer keep their cherished pets, for one reason or another, but want to know they truly did find them a good home, rather than taking them to a shelter and always wondering if they even made it to a new home at all!
One thing to keep in mind, no matter where you seek to find a pet, is to hold your heart open about adopting an older pet instead of having your mind set to only adopt a youngster! Older pets are already trained, many have already been spayed or neutered, most already have their vaccinations, and their owners can tell you all about their history and personality.
One more benefit is that their current parents will often give you their pet's food, dishes, toys, leashes, bed, medical records, etc. to you, which will save you a lot of money and for your new pet. It will also be a blessing to have his/her familiar items with them to help reduce the trauma of adjusting to a new home!
By Deeli from Richland, WA
Editor's Note: According to Craigslist's rules, selling pets on the site is prohibited, arranging adoptions is OK.
"Household pets of any kind including dogs, cats, primates, cage birds, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, fish. Re-homing with small adoption fee OK."
Add your voice! Click below to comment. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
Great Idea Deeli I will tell a friend who is looking to adopt. Thanks.
Love it, but, make sure they do not end up in an animal research joint!
Thanks for pointing out the benefits of adopting an older pet, older dogs desperately need homes and so many of them just get overlooked because of their age. They are the best, sweetest animals and have a hard time adjusting to shelter life if they have been in a home environment for a long time. Thank you!
Adopting a shelter animal or pet is a great idea, I'm all for it.However, Craig's list forbids posting pets for sale or adoption on it's site.
www.craigslist.org/
Editor's Note: Thank you for the clarification. I have included the link and appropriate prohibition above.
Craigs list has numerous adds for pet adoptions. PLEASE don't purchase puppies that ask for "re-homing" fees. There are many people who crank out mixed breed puppies, formerly called 'Mutts" now referred to as "DESIGNER DOGS."
Years past, there used to be plenty ads for FREE PUPPIES, Now they are bred and sold at a profit....
The health and well being of the "mama" is not considered.
I have a wonderful German Shepherd. I really wanted to breed her for a litter. However, she is not a "perfect example" of a highly qualified dog. It is not my lot in life to propagate more un wanted puppies to this world.
SPAY OR NEUTER, if you want a purebred pup, please consider a local rescue, or at the very least, a qualified breeder.
The Love of a canine is priceless.....
Please be very careful that they go to a home and not a research facility which can be the cruelist of all things. To adopt is wonderful. You will have a best friend.
A lot of what you say is true. But I have a problem with people who "give away" their pets on Craigslist. In working with Pet Pardons, I've come to realize that those looking for "bait dogs" for dog fighting rings will look on Craigslist and appear to want to provide a loving home only to use the dog and if it isn't killed, just throw it away.
This is an excellent warning. There are predators combing Craigslist every day. They are often looking for "bait dogs and cats". You do not want them to end up with your pet. The only way to use Craigslist and protect your pet is to charge the "reasonable adoption fee" that they allow. Personally I would not attempt to place a pet on Craigslist. I feel the Humane Society or a local no kill rescue is much safer.
We used Craigslist to adopt a wonderful four year old dog whose owner had died. He has been a terrific pet. My husband and I are getting older ourselves and find that an older dog or cat is a much better fit for our family.
You may get a good pet on Craig's List, but NEVER, NEVER adopt out a pet that way. Many people troll these ads and look for animals to sell to labs or use as bait dogs. Contact a local rescue if you need to give up an animal. Remember most "shelters" put owner turn ins at the top of the kill list.
I believe that giving up a pet to an animal rescue organization in your area or state is probably a better way to proceed then Craig's List. Even advertising in the paper can bring you grief. I found that out myself when I gave up two kittens to a women who, after taking them told me that I could no longer communicate with her and that she took them out of state. Local organizations have older pets and Petfinder has listing of these. I adopted a collie from collie rescue that was over 10 years old. If it had not worked out, I would have someone to help or call and with an older pet, you might need some help if they do not adjust.
Add your voice! Click below to comment. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
