Is it safe/okay to buy "free" , "giving away" or auction animals???

[HHandbasket]

This was a really, really good question to post. I think most of us are very happy to take an animal that is free! But, then there is the possibility that it's free for a reason other than the giver is advertising or telling you up front. I think you will find that half the time, people are decent and honest and will tell you from the beginning what is wrong with an animal and why it's free. Then there are just the rest of the people who aren't quite as up-front about issues concerning the animal.

As others have said, I think we should exercise good judgment and, when possible, take someone more knowledgeable with us when making that initial contact to go look at the animal(s). I wish I had had someone to come with me when I bought my first flock of chickens. I was lied to regarding the ages of the birds, and all but 2 of them died within the first 7 months. Two of those had to be culled, and one of THOSE two had been sick since the 2nd or 3rd day it was here... mighta been sick when I got her, but I didn't know much about them at the time so I got stuck with a sick chicken.

I got a free puppy from an ad once. She's now 5-1/2 years old and is my best friend and stays by my side all day. Best dog I've ever had in my life.

I would be more leery of auction animals, however. I have even noted people on BYC saying they might get rid of an undesirable chicken or goat or whatever by placing it up for auction. The last time I went to a poultry auction, I ran into the scheister that sold me my original flock, and he was bringing his RIRs to the auction for sale. I knew then and there that I wouldn't buy anything from that auction, and I have not gone back since (they hold it twice a month). Besides, I like what 17roses said about not wanting an animal on her property without having seen its living conditions... I think that's a really good rule of thumb to follow.

 

[tommboy1973]

We got our male Rott off CL, a family in town owned him and he barked too much for the neighbors. Since we live out in the country and wanted a good watchdog, he was perfect for us. He has turned out to be the best dog ever.
I also bought a horse at auction. She has a lot of issues..lame..spooky..sour, that weren't apparent at the sale (drugged?) but she has come to trust me and now I will probably have her forever because I don't want her ending up on a truck to Mexico!

 

[welsummerchicks]

Sure it's fine, and any time someone was holding a gun to my head and told me I had to or die, I'd do it.

Friend of mine bought a horse. The seller said, great, shake on it - ok - can we put him in the auction?

She said, no, I just bought him.

They said, no? we can't put him in the auction?

No, I just bought him.

We know, we want to put him in the auction anyway. Don't worry, no one will buy him. We'll put our boys in the audience, they'll bid on him, and he'll go right to you when the auction is over.

No.

Why not?

Because I just bought him.

Turns out, what they do is put animals in the auction that aren't for sale at all, to get people heated up so they bid.

And all those animals that get 'bought'?

Most of them don't get bought.

Sure there's a bunch of people in the audience bidding on them.

As David Berne said after a song in 'Stop Making Sense', 'does anybody have any questions?'

 

[babyblue]

egh it all depends. dh and I "may" be buying a house where we can no longer keep the animals. I may end up giving away 5 buff orp hens, 2 splash orp hens, 1 black orp hen, 3 blue orp hens and 1 blue orp roo. there are lovely and nothings wrong with them. it all depends on if the price is right for the new place.

 

[Sierra pachie bars]

I am always careful. I know their are many good honest people out there who give away healthy animals as long as they go to good homes. I often trust my gutt. Which has proven me wrong a few times. I myself let aka pups go for the cost of declaws and vaccines. Some people wanted to kick me. But my intent was a awesome home was a must. My desire to have quality puppies overrid my need to make any money from them one went to police officer who trains them to do drug sniffing. So some people the love is for the sake of the animal. Just listen to your instinct.I myself have bought ducks at swap meets just because I did not care for the condition they were in. Sitting in the hot sun no water. Never be afraid to ask questions. Also if its a big animal having a vet check it out is a good idea. If the person giving the pet doesn't want a vet to look at it, then walk away.

 

[drdoolittle]

My friend bought a blue heeler puppy at an animal swap meet 2 years ago, and he turned out to be a great dog-----very intelligent and healthy. But, she was lucky as far as I'm concerned----I think she bought him from an Amish. You have to look the animals over thoroughly fore signs of illness----runny nose/eyes, scratching, hair-loss, coughing, sneezing, signs of mal-nutrition (big belly, but skinny everywhere else, lethargy, etc.). It's so much easier to buy an animal from a reputable breeder, as there could be illness that has just not had time to develope symptoms, or defects that aren't showing.

 

[chickened]

I bought a pair of show quality dark cornish at an auction and have gotten many excellent quality offspring from them, no diseases, no issues and I paid $12.00 a piece and these birds are $150.00 and up anywhere else. Point is don't rush to judgement on auctions.

 

[Jasmine1998]

I think it is ok as long as you know what you are looking for & do your research.
For example:

Free horse: Very well bred OTTB, 100% sound & a canter to die for

Rescue Horse: The mare rolling on the ground - she is 100% blind & I would not trade her for anything

Auction Horse: She went through several auctions before she ended up with a horse trader that I bought her from. After we got over her trust issues she turned into an awesome litte mare. Registered Arab Mare.