“Free to Good Homes” Ads

How to Stop "Free to a Good Home" Ads

Call advertisers to speak with them personally about the dangers that the animals face. Or if you're on the shy side, dash off a letter or drop them a leaflet. Check out classified ads online and scan the "pets" section for the words "free to a good home," then call the number in the ad.

Contact the classified advertising manager of your local newspaper about printing a warning about "free to a good home" ads, or better yet, ask them to agree not to run such statements, preventing the possible suffering of countless animals. Many newspapers across the country have already done so! Here's a sample letter for you to use:

Dear (Classifieds Manager/Editor):

I am writing with regard to the "free to a good home" advertisements that appear in the classifieds section of (name of newspaper).

As you may be aware, animals given away for free can, and unfortunately often do, meet gruesome fates. They can end up in the hands of animal abusers like Barry Herbeck, a Wisconsin man who was convicted of torturing and killing animals he obtained through "free to a good home" ads. He confessed to taking his kids with him when responding to the ads so that people would be comfortable turning animals over to him. People known as "bunchers," who obtain animals illegally from random sources to sell to research facilities for profit, often acquire animals by answering "free to a good home" ads. Small animals advertised as "free to a good home" are sometimes acquired by individuals who intend to use them as bait in training other animals to fight. Gerbils, hamsters, and young kittens are often acquired to be used as snake food. I have enclosed more detailed materials about the tragedies that can befall animals given away "free to a good home."

Animal protection organizations all over the United States work diligently to educate people about the proper procedure for placing animals and frequently assist people in finding good homes for their animals. I routinely contact individuals who place "free to a good home" advertisements to alert them to the potential perils for their animals and continuously receive appreciative calls from people who say they never knew that these dangers existed.

(Name of newspaper) could do its readers and the animals a great service, while setting a very progressive example, by printing a brief warning at the top of the pets section about giving animals away for free.

You can improve the lives of dogs and cats suffering from cruelty and neglect.

Forward this to friends.