Online Pet boards.....ban, participate or police?

[richnrissa]

I was wondering how much time, if any, you all spend or come across pet boards...such as petfinder, or classifieds like craigslist pet section and how you interact.

do you post ads?

do you review for fun?

do you search and "flag" illegal or immoral ads?

Negatives aside, what do you see as the POSITIVES of the internet when it comes to pet care, community, breeding, etc?

[TribalRats]

I do review and flag illegal or immoral ads.
I will post ads for some of the items the kids no longer use on Craig's list, I just wont post an ad for living things. My puppies go to those on my waiting list, people who have taken the time to research breeders and find me.

[Spiritus]

I also review and sometimes post. I review to find out which breeders of my breeds are (too) frequently advertising puppies - sort of gives me a basis on who NOT to send a pup to, or who NOT to allow to use my studs.

I do post in breeder directories, often even though they have obvious millers on board. My reason? Because if just ONE person goes to my site and learns something, or contacts me and asks questions so that I can maybe have the opportunity to teach. I really do believe that as breeders, our job is not not only do what is best for our dogs/puppies, but to also educate people in how to find their perfect companion.

I have sold to one person who contacted me through one of those sites. That one person emailed me, asked me questions, spent time learning not only about the breed, but about responsible dog ownership, purchasing, etc. I have not regretted my decision to place a pup with that family, and they, in turn, are educating their friend's and family.

[Cassiepeia]

I browse Petfinder almost daily. It's (because I'm not in the same country as the animals) for fun...although I hate using that word when talking about it because it sounds terrible when I think of all those poor animals looking for homes.
But yeah, I like dogs so I look at dogs. lol I also use petfinder to find pets and different animals for the stories I write. I tend to get a bit sidetracked when I do it, but many a petfinder pet has found new life with one of my characters.

Positives...Information would be the big one. It's easy for your average person to access information on different types of pets and different breeds within the species, as well as the care and health of those pets. This is something that wasn't easy to do in the past unless you went out of your way to buy books or visit the library which your average person wouldn't even think of doing.
Nowdays with the internet giving everyone easy access there is no excuse for lack of information in regards to pet care (IMO at least).

Cass.

[Glitzie]

I search and "flag" illegal or immoral ads on Craigslist almost daily in the Pet Section. Some of those "Adoption fees" are outrageous!
I am on a few Community boards as well. I find them pretty helpful.
I never owned a GSD before DaKota & found them really helpful with info & suggestions on what books to read & not to read. Same goes for Pug boards also. I have been a member on one board for almost 6 years & also helped with some moderating for a while.

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

I flag on Craigslist when I'm bored (I get delight from it, I admit Those "adoption" fees in the hundreds are clever greeders trying to sell their puppies). Petfinder I browse when I'm needing a doggie fix (like a Greyhound fix, when I start desperately wanting one again ) or to see what small animals are available in my area (or occasionally I search for other people looking to adopt in their area). I also use petfinder to show people how many of a species or breed of pet is available in their area, especially when reasoning why they shouldn't breed or buy.

The positives are ever increasingly evident to me. You can educate people around the world with one single post on a message board, and animal adoptions--how would someone know of animals in need in their area (or not, that can be transported--you also find transporters online) without such great advertisement online? It's a great tool for educating and adopting out animals.

[Navygrrl]

What do you guys think about people posting on freecycle, looking for a new family for their pets?

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

I think a person isn't wrong for exploring all avenues, as long as they're aware of the consequences. You have to keep in mind that certain avenues attract certain types, and you're bound to get some wierdos. The key is how YOU handle potential families. How well you interview, and that you do a home check. It would be ideal and probably better to advertise places where perhaps dog lovers (that are actually knowledgable) frequent, but as long as you're diligent in interviewing, I don't see it as wrong or irresponsible to advertise at places like that.

As a buyer/adopter, you also have to be aware of your consequences in taking a dog from someone who puts it up on freecycle type places. But just because they have doesn't make them irresponsible, and it doesn't make you stupid for finding a dog on there.