15/06/2026
๐ STOP โผ๏ธโผ๏ธ
๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ "๐
๐ซ๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐," ๐ซ๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ:
We know it comes from a place of desperation. A landlord who changed the rules. A new baby. A financial crisis. You desperately want your dog to be safe. But when you make that post, you are unknowingly putting a target on their back.
Most people donโt know that these "Free" ads are being actively monitored, not by loving families, but by people who mean your animal serious harm.
In South Africa, where animal cruelty enforcement is severely under-resourced, a free pet is an easy target with zero accountability attached. The people scanning these ads are convincing, they arrive looking like caring owners, but they are not.
They are:
โ Dog Fighting Syndicates:
Free large breeds and mixed breeds are acquired as "fighters" or as "bait" animals. This is a deeply entrenched problem in South Africa and they will arrive looking like a caring family. They are not.
โ "Bunchers" and Traders:
Middlemen who collect free animals to sell in bulk to research facilities, informal markets or for muti (traditional medicine).
โ Hoarders: Often presenting as passionate animal lovers, they may already have dozens of animals living in dangerous, squalid conditions.
โ Abusers: People who know free pets come with no screening, no follow-up and no consequences. A free dog is disposable in their eyes.
โ Even well-intentioned people who respond to free ads may not be in a financial position to afford necessary vet bills, food or sterilization, resulting in future neglect or surrender.
โผ๏ธ๐ข๐ผ๐ฝ๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ๐๐, ๐๐ผ๐ผ.
Puppies are resold at markets, used to train fighting dogs, sold for muti or acquired by unscrupulous backyard breeders. They are worth nothing to you financially, but that makes them a target. A small adoption fee (even R200โR500) changes their value and protects them.
We are here to help you do this safely.
We know you love your dog. Honour that trust and rehome responsibly.
๐๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฆ๐, ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐๐ฌ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ฌ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ฏ๐๐ง ๐ฌ๐๐๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ฉ๐ฌ:
1. Contact a registered rescue first. Search Facebook for "Border Collie rescue South Africa" or "Cape Town dog rescue", for instance. They have vetting processes and adoption screening. Rescues are always your first call.
2. Charge a rehoming fee. R200 to R500 is enough to deter most bad actors. Never advertise "free", not even for puppies.
3. Screen every applicant. Ask for ID, proof of residence, a full address and landlord details. Ask where the dog will sleep. Genuine applicants will not mind.
4. Do a home visit. Visit the new home in person before handing over the dog. Confirm the yard is secure. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts. You are allowed to say no.
5. Sign a written agreement. A simple one-page adoption contract creates a paper trail and acts as a deterrent. Rescues can share templates.
6. Follow up after placement. Check in two weeks later for a photo. A genuine owner will be happy to share.
7. Sterilize your pets. Once this litter is safe, please sterilize both the mother and any puppies you keep. Check your local shelters and rescue organisations for subsidized sterilization.
๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ฌ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ. Rehoming is a difficult reality in South Africa, but "Free to a Good Home" is a death sentence. Let's make every rehoming safe. ๐พ๐ฟ๐ฆ
