Hello Freecycle(TM) member,

This letter is to aide you in finding the best new home for your pet.

Finding a home is not as simple as the first person who responds to your notification. Unfortunately, that home may not be suitable and only you will know this.

First a warning - If you receive any negative emails, due to your posting, from any member of your Freecycle Group, please forward the entire e-mail to your Moderator. We need to be aware of any transgression of the etiquette rules. DO NOT respond to any emails, other than Offers of New Homes.

Here at Freecycle, we understand that you have a large network of people from which to see if you can find a home - within that we ask that you be 100% responsible in placing your cherished pet with a new owner.

Here is the criteria we strongly recommend you follow:

1) Wait at least 48 hours to see all responses to your posting
2) Then email back each responder and ask them a few questions about their family situation and household situation (such as: How many members are in your family? Have you had pets before? Are you sure there are no allergies to pets?)
3) Then choose which family you will "interview" first.
4) Notify that family and choose a meeting time when all members of the family will be present - take the pet with you - on a leash.
5) Go to the house and make sure you look around carefully. (Is there a yard? Is there a fence? Are there other animals - how do they interact? Are there young children - how do they interact? Is this house suitable? Is this family suitable?  Also, you need to look around and make a bit of a judgment call on whether or not this person can afford this pet... not everyone should own a pet when there are vet bills involved, especially dogs!)
6) Choose if this is the family for this pet and if not, be gracious in saying, I am sorry I do not think "Buster" would be suited to your family.
7) Try again.
8) Once you find the family, let them know that you will be popping by some time in the next 2 weeks to see how Buster is doing. If he is well adjusting then you know your job is done and if not, then you reserve the right to pull the pet back out and try again.
9) Leave the family your contact information so if they need to have you pull Buster out, then they can reach you. Also leave them the information on the pet's vet of the past and a medical history.

Now, I know this looks like a lot, but it is for the protection of you, your pet and the new family.

All we ask is that you be 100% responsible for the placement of your pet. If you can not take it on this way, then we ask that you contact your local shelter and allow them to complete the task for you. Most rescues screen homes prior to placement, so they are a viable option.

If your pet is a challenging pet for any reason, please utilize the option of a Rescue group or Shelter right away. DO NOT attempt to find a new home for a pet if it is known to nip, bite or attack in any way. Also this would apply if the animal was caught as a stray. Allow that animal to go to a shelter and be properly assessed and prepared for a new household.

At Freecycle, we recommend independent shelters and rescues before the local city pound or SPCA. Although both do a wonderful service, they may not be the healthiest places to leave your pet.

Good luck in your search for a new home - we hope that it is a successful one.

Your XXX Freecycle Moderators
XXX-owner@yahoogroups.com