Friends Fur Life

You see them everywhere. In the newspaper, on Craigslist, on signs on telephone poles. “Free to a Good Home.” While the authors mean well, offering the pets for free may actually put your pets in grave danger.

The concept of a rehoming fee is one of continuing controversy. Of course everyone knows why rescues and shelters charge one, they need the money to sustain their organization. Why then do individuals need to ask for one? Isn’t that akin to selling? While some do ask ridiculous prices, $400 for a mixed breed dog is a bit much and a red flag for someone just trying to make a profit, asking a reasonable adoption fee (usually $50-$100 is about right) is actually the best way to go.

Sure, there’s the argument that people place more value on something they pay for than something they get for free. There’s also the point that if you can’t afford a reasonable adoption fee, how will you be able to afford basic care of the pet, especially should emergencies arise and vet bills start piling up?

Both those points, though valid, do have their criticisms. However, there is one very large point that many people still don’t know about that is hard to argue with.

Free to Good Home ads are beacons for people called “bunchers.” Bunchers work for Class B Dealers. Laboratories don’t just use rats, mice and monkeys in their tests. They use dogs, cats, and just about any animal they can get their hands on. And where do they get these dogs and cats? From the Class B Dealers (which incidentally are also licensed and “inspected” by the USDA. That’s right, our tax dollars hard at work once again.).

These dealers often hire bunchers, who collect dogs and cats to sell to the dealers, often by any means necessary. This means answering Free to Good Home ads, giving false information, telling you anything you want to hear (”Oh yes, we have 15 acres of rolling hills with a beautiful pond. Rover is just going to love our farm!”), and even bring their kids with them to complete the perfect family portrait. You can check references, though they’re going to be fake, you can drive by their house, though they’ll give you a wrong address, but the easiest way to ensure your pet doesn’t wind up in a laboratory is to ask for a rehoming fee. These bunchers are usually getting paid around $10-15 per animal. Why would they pay $50 for one then? It’s simple math. They want their pets free so they can make a profit, even if that means literally stealing pets out of yards (yes, it does happen!).

Again, the rehoming fee isn’t going to ensure a happy home in and of itself. You still should check references and do a home visit. Put all of them together and you’ll get much more peace of mind that your pet has gone to the right family.

For whatever the reason, you are unable to take care of your beloved furry friend anymore. It’s tearing you apart, but you’re doing what you feel is best. Don’t add the guilt of having inadvertently sent your pet off to torture on top of the sadness you feel over having to give up your loved one.

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