Avoiding Craigslist Crazies (Pets section)

robotbebop

I put up an ad in the pets section because I have to find a new home for my cat. Short story is that the landlord says she has to be fixed or she has to go, and I couldn't get her fixed cause she went into heat the day of the appointment >:( So now I'm out of time and money.

ANYway, craigslist has this advisory in the pets section that really disturbs me - see here.

Basically it says that some people are fucked in the head and abuse free-to-good-home ads to do terrible things to animals.

Does anybody have any experience with this who can help me potentially screen the freaks? Anything that I should watch out for when I talk to them? I would be horribly upset if I let some person take my cat just so they could sell it to a lab or ... god knows what else.

Descendant X

1) That advisory is little more than fearmongering. It's extremely unlikely that your cat will be taken by some maniac who wants to do bad things to it. This is one of those things that happens so rarely that it's a statistical anomaly.

2) If you're that concerned, take the cat to the SPCA, or call the SPCA to see if they have a spay & neuter clinic that will do it cheaply.

3) Talk to your landlord and let him/her know that you need a little more time as the cat went into heat the day of the appointment. They may be understanding.

Unknown

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MushroomStick

I think that warning realistically applies more to exotic pets like parrots/some lizards; in that some people think they can collect them cheap, flip 'em, and pull a profit.

Trillian

Nah, it's more for the animal abusers and genuine psychos out there.
As a hobby breeder of exotic animals I use craigslist to sell some of my livestock when I can't find buyers that I know previously. I haven't had one bad experience, but I do keep in mind the fact that just because someone comes to look at the animal doesn't mean they're a) going to take it or b) that you have to give it to them. Use your better judgement and you'll be fine.

robotbebop

mcdermott wrote: »

You can't find anybody willing to board it temporarily?

I also will very likely move soon, and it's hard to find affordable places that take pets;

There are other factors involved, I honestly don't have the patience and my life is stressful enough as it is right now. This is compounded by the fact that I'm already home for so few hours out of the day as it is; so when I get home during the week she generally goes insane. It would be better for both me and the cat if she had a home that was a little more cat friendly.

In hindsight I never should have got a cat in the first place.

Esh

Descendant X wrote: »

1) That advisory is little more than fearmongering. It's extremely unlikely that your cat will be taken by some maniac who wants to do bad things to it. This is one of those things that happens so rarely that it's a statistical anomaly.

2) If you're that concerned, take the cat to the SPCA, or call the SPCA to see if they have a spay & neuter clinic that will do it cheaply.

3) Talk to your landlord and let him/her know that you need a little more time as the cat went into heat the day of the appointment. They may be understanding.

Seriously. It's a living creature, not an old couch. Take care of the poor thing.

robotbebop

Esh wrote: »

Descendant X wrote: »

1) That advisory is little more than fearmongering. It's extremely unlikely that your cat will be taken by some maniac who wants to do bad things to it. This is one of those things that happens so rarely that it's a statistical anomaly.

2) If you're that concerned, take the cat to the SPCA, or call the SPCA to see if they have a spay & neuter clinic that will do it cheaply.

3) Talk to your landlord and let him/her know that you need a little more time as the cat went into heat the day of the appointment. They may be understanding.

Seriously. It's a living creature, not an old couch. Take care of the poor thing.

I do take care of her. If I only cared about her so much as a poor couch I wouldn't have bothered even trying to setup the appointment, or doing anything.

Did you read above where I might be moving anyway?

Unknown

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Esh

robotbebop wrote: »

Esh wrote: »

Descendant X wrote: »

1) That advisory is little more than fearmongering. It's extremely unlikely that your cat will be taken by some maniac who wants to do bad things to it. This is one of those things that happens so rarely that it's a statistical anomaly.

2) If you're that concerned, take the cat to the SPCA, or call the SPCA to see if they have a spay & neuter clinic that will do it cheaply.

3) Talk to your landlord and let him/her know that you need a little more time as the cat went into heat the day of the appointment. They may be understanding.

Seriously. It's a living creature, not an old couch. Take care of the poor thing.

I do take care of her. If I only cared about her so much as a poor couch I wouldn't have bothered even trying to setup the appointment, or doing anything.

Did you read above where I might be moving anyway?

It's a cat, not a large dog. You won't have any problem finding a place that will take her.

I honestly would never put a cat on Craigslist. Find a friend who's willing to take her and pony up for spaying her.

EDIT: The only way you'll be able to make sure that some weirdo doesn't take her is to ask for a small donation for the cat. Though in this financial situation that just means no one is going to take her. She's also unspayed which is going to make it that much tougher to find her a good home. Be a good pet owner and take care of her.

Esh

mcdermott wrote: »

I do take care of her. If I only cared about her so much as a poor couch I wouldn't have bothered even trying to setup the appointment, or doing anything.

Did you read above where I might be moving anyway?

Yeah, it's obvious you care about her or this thread wouldn't exist.

Unfortunately, I don't know how much you can do to avoid this. It's quite statistically unlikely, so I wouldn't worry too much, but it's something that can happen. You might try charging a nominal fee (like $25, $50), perhaps? That will weed out like 99% of crazies who won't be willing to pay good money for an animal they just intend to kill.

Alternately just drop it off at a local shelter. Odds are they'll find her a good home, and probably get her fixed before they give her out as well.

Good luck!

Or odds are no one will take her and they'll put her down. Unless he gets really lucky and gets her into a no kill shelter.

Trillian

Nah, none of the shelters in this area kill adoptable animals.
If you must get rid of the cat nobody is going to want an unspayed female cat on Craigslist. Take a look, it's full of middle age cats that aren't going anywhere. Instead, take the cat to Richmond Animal Protection Society. They foster out cats left and right, and at least you know the cat is going to be appreciated by somebody, instead of being left alone at your place, or worse.

LadyM

Probably a low percentage of animals on Craigslist and elsewhere end up in the hands of psychos or sold to labs, but . . . such psychos do exist and some labs do buy cats. Personally, I would not rehome an animal for free unless I knew the people it was going to very well; even though the risk of psychos/labs is small, it's a risk I would want to minimize.

Also, some people will treat a free animal like crap because somehow being free makes it worthless. (I don't understand the logic behind this, so I can't express it clearly.) Of course, some people will also buy an animal for thousands of dollars and treat it like crap, but it certainly seems to be more prevalent among people who get an animal for free.

I would try HARD to find a friend to take the cat in or else charge an adoption fee that will cover the spay charge and spay the cat before rehoming it. Because there are so many people out there too damn lazy to spay cats and/or keep them inside all the time.

Actually . . . what I would do is talk to the landlord, explain that you need more time, and spay her as soon as she gets out of heat. So you're moving soon . . . so what? It is ridiculously easy to find apartments that allow one cat.

SkyCaptain

Myth: Female dogs and cats can't be spayed while in heat.

Fact: Dogs and cats can safely be spayed while in heat or pregnant. Trust in the judgment of your veterinarian.

ceres

SkyCaptain wrote: »

Myth: Female dogs and cats can't be spayed while in heat.

Fact: Dogs and cats can safely be spayed while in heat or pregnant. Trust in the judgment of your veterinarian.

That's interesting, because the vet I worked for wouldn't spay an animal that was in heat and certainly not one that he knew ahead of time was pregnant. He was pretty old-fashioned in a lot of ways, and it might be worth looking into if you can find another vet who will do it.

SkyCaptain

Well, spaying while pregnant is basically aborting any kittens. I'd never condone that. Spaying while in heat isn't really that big of a deal. It may cost a little more though.

Belruel

my sister's cat was spayed while pregnant, so some places do do it.

to the op- really guy? don't act like you are super worried for your cat. you want your cat gone, and it is your right to want that, but an un-spayed cat isn't going to be a big catch on an ad, and why can't you just tell your landlord that your cat went into heat the day of the appointment, and show him the appointment receipt and everything, then show him your next appointment date.

and as others have said, plenty of apartments allow one cat, it isn't hard to find a place. also, cats do just fine by themselves often, just have food and toys down and your cat will be fine so long as you come home each night and pet her while watching tv or whatever.

and let this serve as a lesson, always spay your pets early, don't be irresponsible. you are going to abandon your cat to strangers because of your own foolishness.

also, it is against craigslist rules to 'sell' animals on there, some people do anyways and call it a rehousing fee, but it is something to be aware of. (at least it is here, it may be different for your area?)

Bowen

Question, does your lease say you can have this cat, or make any stipulation about fixing said cat? Or is this some bombshell the landlord dropped mid-lease?

If so, you may have legal options to tell your landlord to stuff it if you've already signed and aren't renewing, or especially, already paid pet insurance/increased rent for pet.

robotbebop

To answer the common questions

1 - Yes, I probably could talk to my landlord. But I'm 99% going to have to move anyway and trust me, affordable places in my price range do not allow pets. - To put things in perspective: I got paid on friday and I already am down to $150 after expenses for this pay period. That should give you an idea of my financial situation.

2 - It does cost more to spay a cat while in heat, and it was going to cost me $170 already.

3 - I've asked friends if they want a cat or if they know somebody who does. Nobody does cause they all have pets already.

All I wanted to know is if the craigslist advisory was really worth it's salt; so.. thanks for that. I guess the thread is solved. Lock please?

Bowen

Make sure you get back/reduce any pet related expenses as well. Get it in writing. Most places, at least here in the US -- not sure about Canada, charge more for pets per month and charge a pet deposit.

Gabriel_Pitt

robotbebop wrote: »

All I wanted to know is if the craigslist advisory was really worth it's salt

Addressing that, it's really just a CYA disclaimer, since there's a non-zero chance of that happening.

VisionOfClarity

There's a chance any unspayed cat you put on CL for free/cheap will be used to backyard breeding. Bring it to a shelter.

Esh

robotbebop wrote: »

To answer the common questions

1 - Yes, I probably could talk to my landlord. But I'm 99% going to have to move anyway and trust me, affordable places in my price range do not allow pets. - To put things in perspective: I got paid on friday and I already am down to $150 after expenses for this pay period. That should give you an idea of my financial situation.

2 - It does cost more to spay a cat while in heat, and it was going to cost me $170 already.

3 - I've asked friends if they want a cat or if they know somebody who does. Nobody does cause they all have pets already.

All I wanted to know is if the craigslist advisory was really worth it's salt; so.. thanks for that. I guess the thread is solved. Lock please?

Where are you that it costs $170 to spay an animal and where there aren't affordable places to live that allow cats? I don't think you're actually trying very hard.

Manda

Esh wrote: »

robotbebop wrote: »

To answer the common questions
2 - It does cost more to spay a cat while in heat, and it was going to cost me $170 already.

Where are you that it costs $170 to spay an animal and where there aren't affordable places to live that allow cats? I don't think you're actually trying very hard.

You need to talk to an animal shelter - down here there are plenty of rescue groups that will spay/neuter for a reduced fee ($35) or free if you just don't have the money. Most people are willing to help if you ask.

NailbunnyPD

Check to see if your local SPCA will spay. Ours does for a fraction of the costs that vets charge.

Kyougu

You guys should lay off the OP. He clearly doesn't want the cat anymore, and at least he's doing the responsible thing and trying to find it a good home.

As to the OP, what I would do is first find a cheap place to get your cat neutered. No one is going to want to take a non neutered cat. Then when posting an add, just ask for a 25 dollar rehoming fee. That'll weed out the crazies.

Scalfin

Ask questions. Not only will that weed out psychos, but it will also endear you to good owners, who are usually advised to only buy from breeders who make sure that the pet is right for the family.

Trillian

Esh wrote: »

robotbebop wrote: »

To answer the common questions

1 - Yes, I probably could talk to my landlord. But I'm 99% going to have to move anyway and trust me, affordable places in my price range do not allow pets. - To put things in perspective: I got paid on friday and I already am down to $150 after expenses for this pay period. That should give you an idea of my financial situation.

2 - It does cost more to spay a cat while in heat, and it was going to cost me $170 already.

3 - I've asked friends if they want a cat or if they know somebody who does. Nobody does cause they all have pets already.

All I wanted to know is if the craigslist advisory was really worth it's salt; so.. thanks for that. I guess the thread is solved. Lock please?

Where are you that it costs $170 to spay an animal and where there aren't affordable places to live that allow cats? I don't think you're actually trying very hard.

Clearly you have never tried to live in market rental housing in the greater Vancouver regional district. It is insane how much it costs to live in the only place in Canada where you don't freeze in the winter.

The SPCA here doesn't even spay for cheap, and certainly nowhere will they do it free for you. It is not the same situation as the US where you can get a cat spayed for $40. Add a zero and you'd be talking. It is expensive to live here, expensive to keep animals, and if you don't have the money to look after a pet, don't own one.