November 8, 2011
Cats & Dogs Threatened & “Flipped” for Profit on Utah Websites
THE INTERNET POSES THREATS TO HOMELESS ANIMALS
The Humane Society of Utah condemns the increasing abuse of animals in our community in the classified sections of local websites. The HSU is calling on the public to use extreme caution when acquiring a cat or dog advertised on the web. At the same time, the HSU is asking publishers of highly trafficked websites to exercise greater caution and oversight with regard to advertising for pets placed on their sites.
“Flippingʼ a house for profit is one thing,” says HSU Executive Director Gene Baierschmidt. “Flippingʼ an animal is inhumane.”
An alarming trend has developed with animals adopted from shelters like the Humane Society of Utah quickly being offered for sale on internet sites for a profit, or at the very least, sums allowing a person(s) who has adopted to recoup adoption fees. This practice circumvents the process and protocol shelters like the HSU have in place to ensure a cat or dog is being placed in a safe environment. It is, at the very least, stressful on animals, and at worst, places them in grave danger. An ad posted on November 3, 2011 literally threatened the life of a cat if a new owner could not be found within 7 days. The HSUʼs long standing position is that an animal should only be adopted after much consideration and forethought.
“Cats and dogs are not inanimate objects and should not be viewed as ʻcommodities,ʼ continues Baierschmidt. “They are living creatures who feel fear and pain. We believe it is wrong for anyone to adopt an animal from a shelter on the premise they will provide a safe and loving home for a cat or dog only to turn around and sell the animal. Threats on the web against the life of an animal are even more reprehensible.”
The Humane Societyʼs adoption contract stipulates an animal be returned to our shelter if the person(s) adopting decides not to keep the animal. The Humane Society of Utah is cautioning the public to use caution when looking for a pet on the web and to alert publishers when posts threatening animals are placed on a website.
