Hi Mystori, I think people advertise on freecycle as they dont know where else to advertise or possibly they dont want to take them to a rescue place because they are too skint/or too tight to give a donation (or even worse they dont look after them properly and they are not in a healthy condition/are in need of vetinary care), or they dont want to be 'judged' by rescue places (please no one be offended by this)! But there are also a lot of people out there who go out a buy pets from the pet shop without really thinking about it first and when it gets too much just try and find the quickest way to 'get rid'.
My two piggies were on a freecycle site, they are enjoying a happy retirement now with me in a big hutch with a big run (and daily roaming in the garden bushes). I felt I had to pick them up because they had been advertised twice and I had this awful feeling that if I didnt get them then who knows what would have happened to them. When I went round she said her daughter was allergic to them but she had got 2 rabbits now - I only got them from the front door she didnt invite me round to the back. She also told me that there was originally 3 brothers but one of them had died. The piggies were in good condition but have grown a lot fatter since Ive had them (courtesy of Lidl's fruit n veg bargains and local farm shop).
Now if I see an ad for piggies I email a link to this site with a polite and friendly message in the hope they will come and have a look and advertise for a rehome on here (hope this is ok), because at least the piggies will get a good home, whereas on freecycle its a bit like a lucky dip as to what kind of home they go to.
All our pets are unwanted/rescue and I have a feeling it will continue that way! Some of the rescue piggies on this site are sooooo cute! its a good job I only have a little garden at the moment.....
I know its frustrating but I dont know what is worse, someone offering to freecycle their guinea pigs or leaving them in a small hutch/cage with no attention for years?
I think the responsibility for most of these unwanted pets lies with the pet stores that just sell them, without really advising them properly of the time, expense and attention that all animials need to different degrees, also I'm sure if these people saw my vets receipts (and took into account the regular stuff you have to buy for pets like my cats flea and worm treatments) they would think properly about it! Even the fish arent cheap - aquasafe water treatment costs 8.95 a bottle!
oops sorry, I'm a bit of a chatterbox.
