Free Dog Adverts

Every day I see adverts for dogs 'free to a good home'. Often the story is a sad one, family break up, change in circumstances etc. These people feel they can't give their dog the love and attention it needs so they make the hard choice to rehome it. The often feel that asking for money for the dog is too much as they don't want to be seen as selling a loved one. What they don't realise is by not asking for money they could be offering their dog up for a life of unimaginable cruelty.

I've heard so many sad stories where people believed their dog was going to a loving home only for it to be used as a bait dog. There are people who trail the local papers and websites for free or cheap dogs they can use in dog fights or for practice fights. I know of one dog who was found so badly attacked they didn't think she'd live. Luckily she found a woman who was determined to help her. Years later and lots of very expensive vet bills later she is not only alive but loving and happy. Sadly she does have health issues and she always will, but unlike other dogs she's alive!

I've tried contacting places like Gumtree to ask them to ban free dog adverts and to raise awareness of the issue but they say it's out of their hands. Instead if I see and advert I contact the owner and advise them of the risk they're taking. A few weeks ago I saw a collie/jack russell puppy going free so I emailed them and informed them of the risk they were taking. I got a reply thanking me as they'd had some one interested but when they said there'd been a mistake and the pup should of been listed at £30 suddenly this man and his 'children' weren't interested. In fact he was very rude and made a slip that made it clear there was no children and if he's prepared to lie about that what else was he lying about??

I fully understand things happen and you have to rehome your dog, I volunteer for 2 animal sanctuaries so I know how busy they are and they often can't take new pets, however if you ask them often their home checkers are volunteers and they'd happily do a home check for you too. Even if they won't please please don't list your dog for free. Dog fights etc are more common than people believe and its not pit bull types they use. Any dog could become a bait dog.