Some people don't get it

**Bennalaya** · #1 09-22-08, 09:39 am

Every day I check the local Craigslist to flag breeder ads or ads where people are obviously in search of an animal to breed with one they already have. For every ad that gets removed due flagging there will be five or more ads placed the next day by angry people saying that "anti-breeders need to get a life and quit PMSing" or "you need to get over yourselves. It's none of your business what we do with our animals". Every time I read one I want to slam my head against my desk.

Last night I had a rather unpleasant exchange with a woman who was looking for a female sugar glider to have as a "cuddle buddy" for her male. I sent her a message saying that she really needed to get another male or have her male neutered if she's adamant on housing him with a female. She decided to make the situation public by posting another ad that was a response to my message. It basically said I needed to stay out of her business and that she can do whatever she wants with her animals.

Since she decided to make it public, I responded to her stating that Georgia just did make sugar glider ownership legal this year and you must obtain a permit to breed them. I also warned her of the dangers of breeding and how it's irresponsible, especially since the female could birth up to seven joeys in one year of breeding. Within five minutes, my response was flagged for removal and the woman responded with a message stating that she had done all of the research to make sure she bred them safely and how she would only need a permit if she were going to sell the offspring. She claims she wants to keep all of them. To somehow prove what a "good pet owner" she is, she proceeded to tell me that she loves her sugar glider so much that she takes him everywhere with her, even when she dines out.

By the time it was all said and done, I realized this woman wasn't going to change her mind. Somewhere in Georgia, a breeder of sugar gliders probably saw her ad and will indiscriminately sell her a female and the cycle of irresponsible breeding will continue. Even worse, someone on the Pets message board posted that you can buy sugar gliders at the flea market.

Another thing that really gets me are the people trying to "re-home" their pure-blood dogs for a "modest re-homing fee of $700+". When those ads get taken down they usually come back with, "GET A LIFE! I need to re-home my dog because my son plays little league and now that's it baseball season we don't have time for the dog anymore. The fee was so we could get back some of the money we've put into him."

Now if that's true, that they aren't a breeder, pets aren't cars! You can't ask for almost a thousand dollars for a family pet just because it's no longer convenient to take care of them and you think you're entitled to recuperating the expense. Some days it gets so aggravating.

**RainKindle** · #2 09-22-08, 12:50 pm

If it makes you feel better, you were part of my inspiration to actively search out breeders to flag.
I don't contact any of them because then it would just be a dramatic fight. They aren't going to change, but we can make it harder for them to post.
However, when I see people post that they want a cavy cage for cheap, I send them links to cavycages and tell them where I got my materials. Those are the only ones I contact because then they might properly house their guineas.

**Bennalaya** · #3 09-22-08, 01:46 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainKindle

I don't contact any of them because then it would just be a dramatic fight. They aren't going to change, but we can make it harder for them to post.

Deep down inside I know nothing will change. Breeders will continue to re-post their ads under the guise of "re-homing". People who want to breed will continue to post "in search of" ads. Normally I don't ever mention it, because I want the breeders to continue posting in the same fashion so that people who know better will be able to see through their facade. As difficult as it to not respond, I try not to draw attention to such ads.

I did send an e-mail to a lady who posted an ad saying that she was looking for a guinea pig for her son. I sent her a really nice e-mail explaining that guinea pigs, while usually good with children, are not a child's pet. I explained that they are not low maintenance and inexpensive. I sent her links to the main page of this site as well as the care and medical guides at GL. I never heard back from her, so I have no idea if anything I said sunk in. Maybe it didn't and she went out this weekend and bought a cavy at the pet store. Or, perhaps, something I said struck a chord and she reevaluated their situation and decided against it.

**Harrys Dad** · #4 09-22-08, 05:52 pm

When I see post about people wanting to give Guinea pigs away I send them a email with this forum and ask them to give the new owners the url so they know how to care the right way for their new pig

**RainKindle** · #5 09-22-08, 10:23 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harrys Dad

When I see post about people wanting to give Guinea pigs away I send them a email with this forum and ask them to give the new owners the url so they know how to care the right way for their new pig

That is a really good idea.
I might just start doing that.

**DaisyGP** · #6 10-13-08, 08:15 pm

I hate it when people post ad for animal that 'They can't take care of anymore" or "they no longer have time for" or "are moving and can't take with us" and they charge hundreds of $$$ for it. Then when you offer the animal a home were they will get the proper care and WILL love the animal, but can't pay several hundred for they say "That's too low. I spent $1000, or $200, $500 when it was young a couple months ago."

My biggest question is, where do these animals end up that people HAVE to get rid of, yet will not let go for anything less than several hundred??
Where are they going exactly? Because giving it to a great home for a lower adoption fee is above them, yet they insist the pet needs a new home.

**starshine123102** · #7 10-13-08, 09:14 pm

I completely understand what you are all saying. I have not yet started flagging craigslist ads simply because I don't feel like I know enough about how to spot breeders who are covering up their scams without seeing the place in person.

Fortunatley, the few times I did check craigslist for my area there were few pigs listed.

**frashy** · #8 10-14-08, 10:32 am

I love how they accuse you of not having a life, but all they do is make five times to posts, and rant back just as much? That person just made themselves look dumb and rude by not caring about what happens to their animals.

**auburnmare5** · #9 10-14-08, 02:32 pm

People are just down right rude sometimes. They don't understand that what they are trying to do is unsafe and unethical really.
But, if everyone did get it, we wouldn't have any petstore animals now would we?
There would not be arguments everywhere about breeding vs. not, etc...

**relay** · #10 10-17-08, 03:02 pm

I was on Craigslist one day and saw an ad for a guinea pig cage. I clicked on it and I was kinda of horrified. It was a little tiny plastic cage. The "lot" that came with it included a whole bag of ceder wood chips, food with lots of colorful things, yogurt drops and a few other things. It kinda made me wonder what happened to the guinea pig.

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