Findafurry - The Findafurry Code


	The Findafurry Code underpins Findafurry. It is the set of pledges that every advertiser signs up to. The pledges are designed to ensure our site is only used for people to rehome animals ethically. We believe pets are not for profit and deserve to have homes where they are properly cared for and loved. We encourage visitors to feed back on any potential breaches of our code and we have 'secret squirrels' around the country to help us investigate. If you believe that a Findafurry advertiser has broken the code, please let us know Findafurry has four catagories of pets that can be advertised on the site: 1) Accidental Litters: people who did not mean to breed 2) Planned Litters: people who planned to breed, but due to unforeseen circumstances could not rehome their animals via a waiting list 3) Rescues: people who have taken an animal from its original owner, and now need to rehome it. They could be individuals or rescue organisations. 4) Rehoming: people who need to find new homes for their own animals. The Core Pledges All advertisers on Findafurry pledge to: ensure their animals are well socialised and loved ensure their animals are housed well, and fed a good diet remain committed to the well-being of each animal they rehome for the duration of the animal's life ensure that the new owner is committed to caring for their new animal and understands how to do so ensure the new owner is over 16 if homing animals who are best kept with friends, never to home them on their own, or to a home where they'll be kept on their own unless there is an exceptional reason support the 'Pets are Not For Profit' vision In addition to the core pledges above, the following applies: Those who are advertising accidental litters pledge to: - take steps to ensure the accident does not happen again Those who are advertising planned litters pledge to: - never breed for profit - to breed for health and temperament first, colour and variety second - to operate a waiting list and not to breed until they are confident they can find new homes for all the babies. - only breed from healthy, happy and friendly animals - only breed from animals whose history they know and can pass on - whose parents' and grandparents' health and temperament is known - only breed when they are an expert on that animal - their health and their care Those who are advertising rehomes pledge to: - be rehoming for a genuine reason, and to state that reason in the advert - using Findafurry for getting rid of 'surplus stock' is unacceptable. The money question Findafurry believes that pets are not for profit. However, we do allow our advertiser to ask for a contribution, as long as they follow our guidance: Rescues - are allowed to ask for a donation to cover, or contribute to the cost of looking after the animal and any vet treatment it has received. Findafurry does not set a limit on this, although it should be reasonable. Accidental Litters and Rehomes: - are allowed to ask for a nominal amount. This is to discourage unsuitable new homes, not to cover the cost of owning or bringing up the animal. These amounts should not exceed £5 for rats, mice and other tiny furries and should not exceed £15 for rabbits, guinea pigs and other larger furries. Planned Litters: - can ask for a reasonable amount to cover the costs of bringing up the litter - never so much that the advertiser is making money from breeding animals. All advertisers - are allowed to ask for money for cages, hutches or other items that are available with the animals. Rehoming the animal should never be conditional on someone buying their cage. If you have a second-hand cage that needs a new home, we recommend advertising it on Animart Auctions, an online auction site similar to ebay, that raises money for animal charities. Responding to Enquiries All advertisers - should make sure they ask potential new homes plenty of questions and should not re-home until they are happy. - should not include the 'cost' of animals with adverts, or refer to animals as 'for sale'. Instead discuss a donation or contribution with those who enquire. If advertisers are worried about balancing the need to discourage undesirable new owners against being seen as making money from animals then consider suggesting the money is donated to a local rescue - and accept a cheque made payable to them. - Should respond politely and appropriately to enquiries as soon as they can. See our advice on responding to enquiries. Advertisers should make sure that they comply with the Animal Welfare Act - read our guidance about it here.