Is this SOP for craigslist adoptions?

[stormborn]

To ask about my finances? I've met the owner, offered references, etc. and I'm really not sure what to make of the request. The pet in question is a small caged animal, FWIW; not a horse or any other large expensive to care for creature.

[Ola_]

Hmm, that sets off alarm bells in my head.

[Catherine12]

If they're just asking about your general financial stability and whether you'd be able to afford veterinary care, that would seem normal to me.

If they want specifics - like where you have an account, exactly how much you make, any identifying or personal information - I'd run the other way.

[stormborn]

Originally Posted by Catherine12

If they're just asking about your general financial stability and whether you'd be able to afford veterinary care, that would seem normal to me.

Yes it was phrased this way but for some reason it's really bugging me. l mean, why would I seek out a pet to adopt if I couldn't care for it?

DH thought scam, I was thinking that maybe she really didn't want to rehome the pet after all. So maybe it is normal?

[lynsage]

Meh, if they're not asking for specifics it's pretty normal. A lot of places advise asking about people's ability to afford vet care, food etc when adopting out an animal.

[Oubliette8]

Originally Posted by stormborn

Yes it was phrased this way but for some reason it's really bugging me. l mean, why would I seek out a pet to adopt if I couldn't care for it?

DH thought scam, I was thinking that maybe she really didn't want to rehome the pet after all. So maybe it is normal?

I think you'd be surprised. Particularly with craigslist or "free to good home" newspaper ads, many people see "cheap animals". They don't think much past that as to how they are going to feed or care for them. I've worked at various petshops and see this sort of attitude fairly often. Other people see animals being rehomed and think they are "rescuing" them, to the point it becomes a bit of an obsession. It doesn't matter if they can afford the animal so long as it was "saved".

[babygirlie]

this would be an absolute requirement of a good breeder/seller. Sorry but if you can't afford GOOD food (ie costs more than the deaded special kitty) and if you can't drop 2 grand on a vet bill then I don't want you to own my pet.. sorry. I would also ask someone if they live in an apartment or home and if they own or rent. I don't want there to be any "accidental" rehoming to a kill shelter. I would choose someone who owns their own home (no chance of omg my landlord hates dogs come get this animal NOW). I do not want my pets shuffled around. As a matter of fact I will also state that that pet is NEVER to be rehomed without my permission. If you don't want the pet it comes back to me at YOUR expense. You do not get to toss my prescious baby around. So yeah, GOOD breeders ask a LOT of questions. You should be happy about it. Of course if you want a free pet and don't care about it's health and well being then I can see why no one would ask those questions.. they just want to dump the pet asap or take it to the kill shelter.

[buttercup784ever]

I think it's standard to make sure the person's financially stable before adopting. As long as they aren't asking to see bank statements I wouldn't be put off by those types of questions.

If you feel their questions are too personal be ready to tell them how much a visit to your vet costs, how much your groomer will cost and how often you plan on grooming, and what kind of high quality pet food you plan on feeding and the cost per month of the food. That will show them that you are aware of the "real life" costs of owning their pet without divulging private information.

[stormborn]

Originally Posted by babygirlie

this would be an absolute requirement of a good breeder/seller. Sorry but if you can't afford GOOD food (ie costs more than the deaded special kitty) and if you can't drop 2 grand on a vet bill then I don't want you to own my pet.. sorry. I would also ask someone if they live in an apartment or home and if they own or rent. I don't want there to be any "accidental" rehoming to a kill shelter. I would choose someone who owns their own home (no chance of omg my landlord hates dogs come get this animal NOW). I do not want my pets shuffled around. As a matter of fact I will also state that that pet is NEVER to be rehomed without my permission. If you don't want the pet it comes back to me at YOUR expense. You do not get to toss my prescious baby around. So yeah, GOOD breeders ask a LOT of questions. You should be happy about it. Of course if you want a free pet and don't care about it's health and well being then I can see why no one would ask those questions.. they just want to dump the pet asap or take it to the kill shelter.

I can totally agree with all of this and would expect it from a (good) breeder or seller, but this is a family rehoming a guinea pig. I'm not at all saying that it is or will be any less of a loved member of the family but there's a world of difference in vet bills, food, and amount of training/exercise energy between a cavy and my dog, kwim? I wasn't offended by the question as much as wondering how to answer it. I'm very private about $. I dunno, I guess I would be the same if I ever had to rehome a pet.

[lynsage]

Originally Posted by stormborn

I can totally agree with all of this and would expect it from a (good) breeder or seller, but this is a family rehoming a guinea pig. I'm not at all saying that it is or will be any less of a loved member of the family but there's a world of difference in vet bills, food, and amount of training/exercise energy between a cavy and my dog, kwim?

A guinea pig is much more likely to die from a simple respiratory infection if not treated immediately than a dog. That's probably why they're being so vigilant- they know a lot of people think of guineas as "no big deal" to take care of but they actually can require more attention than a cat or a dog in terms of their health.

[stormborn]

Thanks for the input! I do have a credit line just for emergency vet bills so maybe that plus the food bill for the dog & cat will be ok. I'm so attached to this little guy already; here's hoping I'll be chosen for his home.

[stormborn]

Originally Posted by lynsage

A guinea pig is much more likely to die from a simple respiratory infection if not treated immediately than a dog. That's probably why they're being so vigilant- they know a lot of people think of guineas as "no big deal" to take care of but they actually can require more attention than a cat or a dog in terms of their health.

Ah, ok that makes sense. We've had guinea pigs & rabbits before so I'm familiar with the common issues but I guess not everyone assumes that ANY pet=vet bills. That's the main reason I don't have nearly as many pets as I would like to have. I need to find a vet who will barter!

[KimL]

people seek out/purchase or adopt pets they cannot afford ALL THE TIME. Sounds like they're being responsible. Checking to see if you WILL care for all this animals needs. The size of an animal does not matter.... wether it's big or little they all cost... "if can't VET 'em don't GET 'em". And some people do not have the funds (and don't think it important) to be able to pay for the vet costs for a sick hamster or whatever. The more questions the seller asks the better really.

that said, you shouldn't buy an animal from craigslist. Go thru a rescue...

[stormborn]

Originally Posted by KimL

that said, you shouldn't buy an animal from craigslist. Go thru a rescue...

We did try but there aren't any small animal rescues close to us. I've been looking for the right guinea pig(s) for about a year now and I won't buy from a pet store so a family rehoming is the only option I know of . This isn't a sale, really, but a family that can't afford so many pets anymore.

[buttercup784ever]

I'm big on rescue, but I think getting a small animal on CL is fine. As long as it's not a baby, and I would pick it up at the person's home and check out if they are actually breeders. We are lucky enough to have a small animal rescue just an hour away from us, but honestly there are just not enough small animal rescues. People are much more likely to 'release' (---> dump) a small animal than to bother trying to rehome.

FYI, here's a website with great information about keeping guinea pigs:
http://www.guineapigcages.com/index.htm

You only mentioned one pig, but they really should be kept in same sex pairs. Don't trust what the people tell you about the sex, either. The pet store's are pretty unreliable about sexing them, and that's what most people go from.

Also, make sure there is a vet near you that will even see guinea pigs. I live in a major city, and there is only a couple of vets that will see small animals. Not all vets have the training to treat them.