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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you to help this dog?

37 replies

Thisandthat1248 · 01/08/2019 15:22

A person on Gumtree is selling a dog for £100, this is obviously a terrible idea and a rescue or something is the best step forward.

From her description/messages she clearly doesnt care too much about the dog and it looks like it is living outside.

RSPCA are useless and don't care if dogs are outside as long as they have food and water etc.

I'm worried about the animal but can't afford the £100 to pick him up, I don't want to annoy her and she ends up just dumping the dog.

Is there any rescues or charities that help with this sort of thing? Looking for any advice.

Also I wasn't looking for a dog on gumtree i was looking for a dog seatbelt and this poor thing came up!

OP posts:
Lilyofthefields · 01/08/2019 15:26

I’m not convinced that you should be worried about this.

MmmBlowholes · 01/08/2019 15:30

Lots of people sell dogs regardless of my own views on it. If the RSPCA aren't concerned then I don't think you should be.

Sunandrainallconfusedhere · 01/08/2019 15:31

Send her some phone numbers for local shelters. Maybe add that unscrupulous buyers buy ddogs for bait and other abuse... Then block her so she can't send you abuse!

Nesssie · 01/08/2019 15:34

Gumtree is known as Scumtree for a reason. Most the dogs sold on there end up dead or abandoned.
Rescue is obviously the better way forwards but these people are greedy and want money.

Original poster
Thisandthat1248 · 01/08/2019 15:53

People saying i shouldn't be worried?!?

Some of the messages she sent for example "not sure if he's house trained as we keep him in the garden to avoid mess" and "he's not a fan of kids as my kids are rough with him" and "i just need him gone to be honest, why so many questions?"

I know lots of dogs from gumtree end up in a shit situation and I wondered if there was a way to help this one!

Sent her some rescues that will take him and I offered to collect him and foster him until he is re-homed (through a rescue) and no reply and she was replying instantly before.

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 01/08/2019 15:54

Why did you contact her at all if you can’t afford to buy the dog ?

Original poster
Thisandthat1248 · 01/08/2019 15:56

@Floralnomad because description was awful and I wanted her to realise that she needs to take this dog to a rescue

OP posts:
Chocolatemouse84 · 01/08/2019 15:56

I know in my area there is 2 independent rescues that will take dogs on from the likes of gumtree but obviously can't pay for them so the seller has to be willing to surrender them for free. I agree with you, often dogs bought on gumtree end up in very sad situations and it is far from ideal. But if the woman is more interested in the money than potentially sending her dog to an unsafe environment, I don't think there is a lot you can do

NCforthis2019 · 01/08/2019 15:57

what type of dog is it?

IAskTooManyQuestions · 01/08/2019 15:58

She obviously needs the money, so shes not going to rehome or put him to rescue. I'd send the link to a rescue and maybe they can negotiate with her.

Original poster
Thisandthat1248 · 01/08/2019 16:03

Its a small mixed bread i think like a black and brown terrier very sweet looking (although I think all dogs are cute and I'd have all the unwanted ones if I could).

Yes good idea ill send the link to the rescue and see if they will call/talk to her! I know it's rubbish to need the money but not at the expense of a innocent dog!

OP posts:
PixieLumos · 01/08/2019 16:08

Sadly that won’t be the only dog on gumtree. You’re going to be very busy if you let yourself get upset about this.

Original poster
Thisandthat1248 · 01/08/2019 16:10

@PixieLumos surely if i can help one individual dog in my area that's better than none?

OP posts:
Lizzielocket · 01/08/2019 16:12

What area is the dog in?

longearedbat · 01/08/2019 16:14

If you look at any online dog selling site, you will see hundreds of dogs like this. A few will be offered for free as well. Why have you homed in on this particular dog op? The only advice I can give you is to stop looking.

Original poster
Thisandthat1248 · 01/08/2019 16:24

@longearedbat I just happened to come across it as I was looking for a dog product in my local area and the post was dodgy. The rescue is contacting her and will hopefully have some luck.

Not looking at issues is not going to solve them this has opened my eyes and I'm going to try and get involved with the groups/charities trying to make it illegal to sell dogs on facebook, gumtree etc

I only came on here to see if anyone knew of a charity or an lawas about this

OP posts:
StarbucksSmarterSister · 01/08/2019 16:30

Of course you should be worried and good for you for trying to help.

I won't buy anything from Gumtree (or Ebay as they are linked) due to their policy of selling animals.

NailsNeedDoing · 01/08/2019 16:33

I have no advice, but well done you for trying to help that dog. Flowers

Original poster
Thisandthat1248 · 01/08/2019 16:39

Yeah I didn't even realise it was allowed, I just thought i'd see if the product i wanted was on there! I wont be buying off those sites i'll support my local pet supplies shop instead.

The rescue are calling me in the morning to update me!

OP posts:
Cherrypies · 01/08/2019 16:44

Thisandthat1248
Thank you so much for helping this dog, you are a star.
RSPCA are a waste of space, just want your donations.
Wish there was more people like you around.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 01/08/2019 18:25

I did a one-woman campaign against this at college. It was tough; because a lot of people think they're helping by buying the dogs and then either keeping them or usually taking them to a rescue; but you often see the same suspects popping up who suddenly have a new dog whose no longer a cute puppy and now they want to make some money off this one, too. And too much harassment of one person can lead to them giving the dogs away for free, which then means the dog is likely to be abused or used in dog fighting.

It's a noble fight but you have to approach it on a wire to be able to actually help each dog.

anon812 · 01/08/2019 18:44

I don't know how to DM on this but this is super upsetting, I will give you the money for that dog, please rescue him!

makingmammaries · 01/08/2019 18:45

‘Gumtree is known as Scumtree for a reason. Most the dogs sold on there end up dead or abandoned.’

Are there statistics to support this? I’ve had 5 dogs from the French equivalent. 3 were adults and would not have been easy for a shelter to rehome successfully for size/temperament reasons. I can’t believe I’m the only person who gets dogs from there and takes good care of them.

Fallofrain · 01/08/2019 18:47

Unfortunately the legal minimum care for a dog is low and thats all the Rspca can use to remove dogs. They get just as frustrated as you in situations like this!

HappyHammy · 01/08/2019 18:48

The RSPCA never helped us with our concerns. Hope doggy gets a new life

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