Any chance we can mobilize / organize and all contact craigslist?

[nyspy]

If we all mobilize / organize and contact craigslist (maybe apply some pressure) on them regarding animal trafficking / reselling / "rehoming", it would probably be enough to get them to outlaw rehoming fees. It would effectively shut down a huge outlet for the illegal animal trade.

The problem today is there are a bunch of idiots who realize it's easy to buy / sell / resell animals on craigslist. While the big serious poachers wouldn't be shut down, a good portion of the idiots out there would get out of the business, because their supply chain was broken.

Some of these "concerned parents / rescues" are most definitely working with traffickers (the big poachers) and this would also make it unpalatable for them to "ply their trade."

As an internet technologist, I've seen the pressure social media and mobilization can cause to motivate a company that does its business primarily on the internet.

Similar to the sex-trafficking and prostitution rings that were operating illegally on craigslist until they were shut down a few years ago, we could possibly put an end to a lot of needless suffering of these poor animals.

I propose we put together an internet "open letter" with a strict set of guidelines that we suggest craigslist operate under. We all sign it and really push it to as many social media outlets we can.

What do you guys think?

 

[nyspy]

btw, I know I'm new in this community, but I've always been an animal lover. Over the last 5 years, I've seen the abuse increase and craigslist seems to be one of the main outlets for this bs. So yes.. I'm angry, but ranting and not doing something about it is just makes me another "idiot on a soapbox."; something I'm not. I'll lead the charge, but I need support. I'm not asking for people to commit money, just support the cause and spread the word.

Edit: Sorry for the bad grammar and punctuation, but it's late and I'm tired.

 

[GaryBV]

Hi nyspy - every animal organization I know has had petitions or contacted Craiglist over how they sell animals. In fact that is why they don't 'SELL' animals at all, it was turned in 'rehoming' and 'rehome fee' and 'donation'. ETC. I know I've signed several petitions on this issue several times. If you haven't noticed a lot of people on craigslist say 'rehoming fee to guarantee a good home' etc. And often times people just post criticisms of the site, or rehoming, or how high the fees are, and often attacks against individuals. It can be a rather rough and tumble place. I never heard of rehoming until Craigslist came out with it. But that is why you can't buy animals on Ebay or on Amazon, it was because of pressure from animal rights organizations. If you want to start another petition, I'll gladly sign it if I agree with the wording, and you can create one on Care2.com or Change.org and many other sites, just type 'start a petition' in google and see what comes up.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

I wish craigslist would put a price cap of 500 dollars [at the most] and that incudes their home. I think that's fair [its supposed to be a rehoming fee not profit of course] I see a lot of people thinking they should get what they paid for the bird .I think this wouldn't be as appealing to flippers [Im talking for birds of course]

 

[BruceV]

I happen to like rehoming fees if they are for the original intended purpose. I don't know about birds, but "free" dogs and cats can be and have been sold to labs that use them for testing products for about $75. A rehoming fee of $75+ insures that this practice won't happen on the animal being rehomed. Rehoming fees of $500+ is getting out of hand. If you are surrendering your pet, then surrender to a reputable rescue or give it to someone you trust. Don't sell it for big bucks. My $0.02.

ADDITION:Rehome fees also keep dogs from being used as fighters or bait.

 

[FreddyCheeks]

I've been looking to adopt for a little while now so I always have a eye on CL, but some of these make me nervous. Theres a grey on there now for SJ, asked about "FEE", ppw, or anything on the bird. I was informed the age is a guess as there is a 95 on the band, no vet ppw, no owner ppw, just $300 for the bird. Sounds like a deal except I already have birds and don't have the room to really QT a sick bird. As soon as the age was a guess and there was no ppw I pretty much figured they were flipping the bird. It's pretty sad as it looks like a beauty.

 

[Abigal7]

I see your point and do have a issue with flippers. I got lucky when I got Clover. She was not in bad shape but probably would be considered not worth her price. I do not know if I would ever get another bird off craigslist. I also have concerned with adds of free dogs, cats, kittens, puppies because some can be sold to science labs, feed to large snakes, or get into the hands of a sicks that enjoys killing cats and dogs (Talk on the internet indicates some people think that stuff does happen)

 

[nyspy]

It really turns my stomach and breaks my heart when I see this stuff. That is why I've always rescued animals from craigslist. It kills me even more when I go to see these animals and I see a bunch of them in cages that are too small being treated very poorly.

Both of my macaws are from craigslist. Both of them needed to be rehabbed. They both turned out to be the most wonderful, loving, loyal little buggers on the planet. How anyone could have possibly treated them so poorly really kills me.

I wish I could save them all, but I can't. I can only do my best. I'm just hoping that others will agree and do their best to save these animals as well. The poor little guys (birdys) didn't

 

[Maria_Metropolis]

I got really upset when I saw someone trying to trade a bird for a laptop. These are living creatures with feelings, and it made me upset. Occasionally, you'll see someone who says, "trying to find a loving home" and they give specifications for the possible owner, but that's rare it seems.

 

[GaryBV]

I'm not at all against rehoming fees, and I hope my post didn't infer that, but on craigslist I think it is often a ruse by people selling their birds and not really interested in rehoming at all. For instance I hate to see people who post 'free to good home.' I understand why they are doing it and sympathize, but sadly, there are people who shoudn't have pets, and others that would do harm, and there still is animal testing out there. I found my birds on hobbly.com - do any of you use that site?

 

[nyspy]

Never heard of hobbly.com. If I start to check out more sites re: birdys, I'll end up with a very large flock! I'm going to start working on something (re: petition) tonight / tomorrow. Hopefully, it gets some sort of traction. This craigslist BS has to stop. I'm all for proper rehoming practices, but it's turned into the silk road of animal trade... **sigh.

 

[Screech]

I found my birds on hobbly.com - do any of you use that site?

Do you mean hoobly.com?

On CL: What happens to these birds in posts where people ask about the same price as they paid for the bird? Does someone eventually pay a negotiated price anywhere near that?

 

[strudel]

I don't know about craigslist, I don't think we have that here, but doesn't it have a facility for reporting "dodgy" ads? Does it have any legitimate ads, and are there alternatives? If yes and no, then how would the animals needing genuine rehoming find them? Some people like to find the home themselves rather than trust their pet to an "orphanage". If you find an ad from a poacher, can't you dob them in to the RSPCA or somewhere?

 

[GaryBV]

i DO mean Hoobly.com, thanks Screech.

I have never bought anything off of Craigslist so I don't know how that really goes. I have sent emails to a couple of people, but they never even bothered to respond back to me.

 

[GaryBV]

Hi strudel - here is a link to Craigslist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, directly to the 'pet'' area - just take a look see and see what you think.

pittsburgh pets classifieds - craigslist