"Dog Flipping"  

           I'm writing this in regards to a new article on the issue about a dog named Duke who was believed to have been "Dog Flipped". According to http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/ a woman has finally been reunited with a dog she had lost, who had escaped her yard in Springfield, Ohio. Ashley Young the owner of the dog in question Duke, believes Duke was a victim of "Dog Flipping". A woman Alicia Dixon stated a family member found the dog a few weeks back. She said she had taken the dog to the vet, fed the dog and then placed "Dog Found" ads on Craigslist. After the ads were unanswered she then sold it to a family in Columbus, Ohio for $200.When Young saw an ad that was similar to her dog she contacted them and it turned out to be Duke. Young and Dixon eventually came to an agreement to get the dog back to her. The dog has now been returned and is home.

         "Dog Flipping"  is very common. Can happen anywhere anytime. The people flipping dogs are making good money at doing it. Some dogs especially pure breeds or sought after dogs can go for a pretty penny. To the right buyer they can get over $300 for a pure bred dog no matter what age or sex, or type. The more money they can get, they will wait for the right buyer. Even a normal Mutt can go for $100 or more, again age and sex don't matter.  Unspayed or unuetered pure bred dogs go for even more as they know they can be bred. Spaying and neutering an animal before giving it away or selling it to someone, should be first on list. People don't think their dog will be worth money, these "Dog Flippers" know which dogs they can make money off of and which ones they cannot. Just cause you think it is not worth any money does not mean it isn't. Even $50, they don't care if they can make something off of it they will.

        Many times they will lie to the new owner about the age as well. A big sign is when they say they do not have the vet paperwork on hand, or will mail you the paperwork, chances are you will never receive it. That is one of the big red flags. Why? They do not want you to get the information on where the dog came from, it will clearly have another persons name on it, so buyer beware. Some may lie and tell you their name is the name listed on all the vet paperwork they give, hence why you need to verify a few things when you are buying a dog from someone online or anywhere for that matter, they could be a "Dog Flipper".

       Duke's story we cannot know for sure if the dog was truly "Dog Flipped". Only Dixon would know for sure if it was the case.Its an issue becoming more and more popular. Many have heard the stories about not giving your dog away for free or any animal for that matter on any site like Craigslist. There are many predators out there looking for a good deal, or a few extra bucks in regards to your pet. There are many more reasons not to give your pet away for free but this is not about those issues, but some go hand in hand. Craigslist is one of the worst resources for finding your pet a home, if done the wrong way. If you take the steps below even things like Craigslist can be used to find a pet a home. Craigslist is not terrible if you take the steps to ensure the person is legit. Many people do go on Craigslist to find their new pet and new family member not knowing some of the scams out there, but there are also those who troll Craigslist looking for a dog they can make money off of as well. 

        Many especially now a days will prey off the unknowing just to make $. Some of these people will do it without a care in the world. They will take your dog, possibly not even feed the dog, lock it in a small cage, and do God only knows what to it, before they resell your pet. They do not care about your pet, they care about the money. Many of these people will also make lies about who they are, or their intentions for your pet. They may even come to your home, tell you they want to keep the dog will love it forever, just to go home and make another ad for the dog to resell it with a higher amount. They may even bring other people with them to make them look like a nice family, you probably will never suspect them on what they are doing, they have become professionals at this.

       I ran a rescue for a little while, and have been rescuing dogs for a few years now. My adoption fees were low, and many were concerned about them being so low. I did however make sure I checked everyone out, vet references, personal, and also home check done and other assurances. I also had an adoption app, and a contract for all who adopted dogs. I feel that if done the right way and everything checked out, I would rather them spend the extra money on the dog then to have me make money from the dog. Some I even did give away for free when they checked out well, as it was not about the money. Some rescues charge huge amounts thinking it will save the dog from being resold, but that's not the case. If done the right way you can still give your pet away for free, or low price. I know I have asked many people and they say they don't want money for their pet and explain just a good home. If you could possibly ask for money in your heart, is the best thing to do, and not give it for free. Even a small amount is better then nothing. A higher price will NOT ensure the safety of your pet, only doing it the right way and checking people out will. Many of the "Dog Flippers" excuses for their high price is to make sure their dog is taken care of. They will sell it high and give the excuse I had listed above as to why its so high, its how they get their money.

       I am putting here my adoption contract that I have redone without our rescue name and put "Us" instead. You can use this contract if you need one. Save it to your computer and you can change it around as you wish by copying and pasting to wherever you want to save it, on a word document etc do as you will. You can put your name instead of "Us". On the contract it states we can at any time take the dog back. You need to make this clear when giving away or selling your pet, because once they sign something you have the upper hand if you ever feel there is wrong doing by the adopter. This contract is binding, and will save you and your dog for if an issue ever arises that your dog has been "Dog Flipped". I recommend everyone who sells, or gives away their dog has a contract. Since this was our rescue contract some of it may seem to straight forward, again change it as you wish. HERE is the contract. Without a contract, if you give your dog away, legally the new owner can do whatever they wish and has every right to resell your pet.

      It's not only Craigslist, but it is anywhere anyone is giving their pet away for free or small amount. If you love your pet, and don't want to take $ for your pet then you need to make many necessary assurances your dog is going to a good home. By all means if you do not care about your pet, or where it goes then go ahead and do as you will. You will have to live with it forever, wondering where your dog is, or who has done what with it. If you do not care about your pet then at least give the dog a little bit of dignity and find a rescue or no kill shelter to take it to, to give it somewhat of a chance. Every animal is a living, breathing, and feeling being.

         Another way these "Dog Flippers" get pets is also as stated in the article about Duke. Lost dogs, or escaped dogs are very easy targets. They have nobody to answer to, no contract, no owner to the animal and therefor they will scoop the dog up and resell it. The article stated nothing could be done to Dixon because the dog did not have an Id tag, nor a microchip. A Microchip is a life savor, whether if a "Dog Flipper" gets your dog, or if your dog is picked up by an animal control officer. Many people don't know much about a microchip. It does NOT have a GPS chip in it, so no if your dog gets lost it will not tell you where your dog is. The reason for the chip, is if your dog is ever picked up by animal control or another person, it can easily be scanned and then the owner will be contacted.

           The chips have saved many lives, and reunited dogs with their owners from even states away! If someone finds a lost dog, all they have to do it bring it to a vet clinic where they will scan it for free and get in contact with the owner. Every dog should have a microchip, it costs $15 to get it, then you have to take more steps and get it registered for I think another $15 through the company all paperwork will be given from vet when you get it done, but many do not take the next step in registering it they think they are all done, and you are not.  I recommend every dog should have a chip, no matter what the reason.

         If you love your dog, do the right thing. Many people who give away their pet for free, or even for money do it because of one reason or another. Most do not do it cause they hate their dog, they do it cause something has come up and they feel they need to re home their pet. Do not make ads like come get this dog its free, or free to first person who comes. Many bad things can happen, give your dog a little respect and take a few days to re home them as they would have given you eternity. Below I'm making a list of some things that should be done for easier viewing. Please consider some of these things when re homing your animal. Your pet you once loved could end up in a landmine, or worse tortured and starved before dying, do you want that in your head if you were ever to find out it happened? It happens daily to people whether you have seen it or not.

#1. When re homing your pet, make your ad show you are serious about it going to a good home "Do not write ads like "dog for re homing free come get it" "dog for free, unspayed, good dog, free to the first person who comes here". Write your ad to show you mean it when you say good home, express you will check and get references or do home check etc. When a "Dog Flipper" sees this they usually don't respond, there are easier targets for them. Make sure to do as you say you will, no matter how NICE they seem.

#2. If you have the means, please spay and neuter your animals before placing them to a new home. Many places do it for under $100.

#3. If you have the time, which many do, try and find a RESCUE not a SHELTER to take your pet, many will. Make sure though, to check the rescue out and make sure it is Legit and not just another con for a "Dog Flipper". Many claim to be rescues when they are not. Do your homework, you owe it to the dog. Many rescues will gladly help, if they cannot take the dog, many will work with you on finding the right home, and checking potential adopters out.

#4. NEVER bring your dog to a KILL shelter. Take the time if you have to and all else fails to find a no kill shelter or a rescue as stated above.

#5. Always Microchip your dog. Even if you believe your dog will never get lose, many who have lost dogs thought the same! It will save your dogs life!

#6. Use my adoption contract, that way it is binding! Many "Dog Flippers" will not sign such contract, and tell people in your ad you have a contract for them to sign as well to weed out the "Dog Flippers".

#7. As Stated in #1, get references done at least a vet reference. If they do not have one if they have not owned a dog for awhile then get another type of reference if you have to. Not having a vet reference is a red flag though. Do a home check if possible. If not in your area, reach out and find someone who is in their area, if you ever need help, contact me and I will find someone for you. This all may see time consuming but truthfully it is not. It can usually be done within a day or two. Give it time, do not rush as your dog relies on you to find it a good home. If someone does not allow a home check, Red Flag.

#8. Make sure the family is a good fit. You know your dog, so find out about this new family.

#9. Try and ask them if they will send you updates and pics of the dog. If they deserve to have a dog, they will have no issue and understand that you want to make sure your dog is happy

#10. If you follow all these things, chances are your dog will be safe. If you do not, your dog could be a victim of one of these "Dog Flippers". Sometimes they are con artist, and still can get by most of these things but it will ensure you took every measure possible. If you have them sign the contract, you have every right to check in on the dog. Make sure you see their ID and make sure they are signing the right name, write down the license number. Only someone with bad intentions will have an issue with any of these things. If you ever suspect any wrong doing you go to the police with your contract or animal control. Or Even show up at their house and if they do not release the dog then call the police. You have every right to get your dog back at that point, but without the contract, you have no rights to the dog anymore and they are free to sell your dog to the highest bidder.   

       

       

       

      My Take On "Blackfish" 

          I have been waiting for almost a year for this movie to play somewhere around me. I could not wait to see it. I finally saw it tonight at the 6:30 showing in Maitland Fl. I have to admit when all was said and done I left a little disappointed. I had high hopes something in the movie would truly stand out, or even better yet something that I myself had never heard about before. I was hoping to see some type of lost tape, or some story or incident I had never heard of. Something, anything to say "Wow this was amazing and so glad it came out and showed the world this". Unfortunately that was not the case. 

              

        When I say I was hoping to see something I had not seen before, I'm not just someone who first has found out about SeaWorld and it's unethical treatment, it may have been a different feeling if I had not known anything about what the movie depicts. I have been involved with many people who have tried to do something about this industry, something to make the industry change one way or another. Like my good friend Russ Rector who starred in "A Fall From Freedom" said to me yesterday on the phone 

"We are preaching to the Choir." He had even told me I would be wasting my time seeing it as what I will see we all already know. I told him I thought it was still a good idea and that I needed to see it just to see how it was done and what exactly was in it.

      After seeing it I now have to agree with what he said full heartedly, but at least now I can write about it. Many of the people who have seen this movie or who will see it, are all people that know something about this issue and what SeaWorld does. It has yet to reach a big audience as it is currently playing on a very small scale and not reaching who it needs to reach. Maybe I would feel a little different if it actually reached who it needed to, and those people would actually change or understand why Orca's in captivity is a disgrace.  Changing one or two people will not make a dent in the industry, but changing millions may.

      SeaWorld makes a lot of money and their wallets are actually rising with much of what has gone on in the last few years. Their ticket sales and their revenue has gone up tremendously, last year and the year Dawn died was one of the best years they had money wise in revenue. Why you may ask? When something big happens, or when people bring a company into the middle of a dispute whether good or bad, you bring them attention and bring them in more customers. We are based off a society that goes to see car races just to hope that they see that one big crash, people who like to watch sports to see who can knock out the other opponent faster, or people who go to Orca shows just to hope they catch that one big mistake made. Unfortunately bad publicity can also bring in good publicity and good money. Those who supported SeaWorld, many still do and do stronger then ever now. Those that didn't know much about SeaWorld or had never been are flocking there, and its all because of the publicity, good or bad you will be helping them. Many may disagree, but just look at their revenue in the last few years you will see for yourself.

      While waiting in line, I turned to my neighbor who went with me and I quoted Russ again after looking at all the people in line. I also mentioned I felt that not much will ever be done, and that I do not feel as if this will make much of an impact on anything. A lady turns around and says "I would have to agree with you, but history has proven we have evolved." She went on to mention about zoos and how they have changed from the tiny little cages etc. I had to disagree with her on the fact SeaWorld would ever willingly change. If we were to be able to do anything to change it, it would have to be forced upon them. I also went on to mention how SeaWorld has now gotten the upper hand in the case against them with OSHA and how I now feel as if it truly will never change. Article I wrote on the new ruling is here . I spoke to others there as well and it just proves everyone going knew something about what is being depicted in the movie and were already on the side of "Do not go to SeaWorld."

      

       One thing many of us held onto that have been involved in this fight, we had hope now with the new ruling of no water works with the Orcas at SeaWorld back in 2012, we had hope it would hurt their wallet. I remember standing up and jumping for joy when I heard the ruling. I couldn't help but to think it maybe a big change in SeaWorld. Much of what they do is based off their Orca shows, which all include interacting and getting in the water with them. I felt as if now we had a chance. That society has finally grown up and seen that maybe this is just not the right place for Orca's to be. Now that it may change and again SeaWorld maybe able to start back up waterworks, the hope it may hurt the industry has now vanquished because of this new ruling.

      The Judge in the case has stated SeaWorld "Has made a Good Faith Effort", the same week blackfish came out in Maitland. He has now told SeaWorld if they can show that their tactics and safeguards are just as good as what the OSHA abatements are they can implement their own safeguards. SeaWorld wants to make money and to be able to put on the water work shows, they will never adhere to staying out of the water. The next step will be showing that they have now made it SAFE and they will soon be able to start back their unethical treatments and exploitation of these Orca's by once again swimming with them and jumping off their noses. Making them do tricks daily and scolding them by not feeding them, SeaWorld will once again do as they always have without a care in the world.

      Maybe with everything that has happened and the new ruling, I just held onto high hopes that "Blackfish" may actually help our cause to change this industry. Maybe I'm being too critical, but what I do know is I left that theater disappointed. I felt many more issues could have or should have been brought up. More on how SeaWorld gets its Orca's, more graphic footage, more facts about what actually happens behind closed doors, when they mentioned how the lady lied in court they should have mentioned something about Morgan Orca too and how SeaWorld actually owns her, how they conned their way into that one as well. Where is the info about all the meds they give these Orca's daily, the fact they drill their teeth, the fact Tili is a transient Orca, the fact many of these Orca's have family still in the wild? Not enough was put into the movie, it was all the same stuff over and over again. I understand it was mainly about Tili but even in the movie they mentioned "Blackfish" explaining the Orca's.

        The movie should have been more about these "Blackfish" as that is what they named the movie, not just Tili. While still telling Tili's story if that is what they wanted to get across, they should have had more of these "Blackfish" and more about the industry. Their title alone is contradicting. If its about "Blackfish" let it be about "Blackfish". They could still leave the title and have it about only Tili if thats what they wanted to depict, but they switched from Orca to Orca, story to story, and did not just stay on the topic of Tili as they had said they wanted it to be about his story. I just did not get it in that aspect either, was it or was it not about Tili? Was it supposed to depict these "BlackFish"? I just do not know, and which ever it was they clearly did not make it a point.

       They did not put much even though they tried, about the emotional and physical changes these whales go through in captivity. The hours and hours these whales swim around doing nothing, mainly hanging at the top of the water, without shade. How they constantly bite the walls, and have repetative behaviors. I could go on and on about some of the things I feel should have been talked about. We mainly have one chance, and one chance only to truly get out exactly what it was we wanted to get out, I feel this did not cut it. They never even mentioned how someone could help, how they could get involved, what they could do on their part to help the cause they were trying to relay. Not once did they mention do not buy a ticket, nor did they mention anything about what many are trying to do to change the industry.

       Overall, they had a few good points in the movie. They did an ok job with what they did have, but again it was just not enough. It was pretty much all over the place putting in facts and doing it the way they did just did not make it flow the right way. There is no going back now, the one movie I thought would truly help may not actually do anything. It won't reach enough people, and it won't hurt the industry by the people it has reached. The scale is not large enough. We cannot rewrite history only learn from it, we cannot redo what has been done. We had one chance to make a powerful impact and to truly show everything, in what could have been an amazing tool to change the industry, will now become a movie that is forgotten a year down the road. Trying to redo what they just did, or making another movie will do nothing. We had the big chance, we had many waiting to see it, we had the media involved and many talking about it. It was just not enough and it has now lost its momentum in my opinion.

      The only chance we will have for it to make a possible impact is if we can get a bigger industry to pick up the movie, a bigger theater. Get it on the big screens and then maybe it will help. As it sits right now it will do nothing other then make the people who know all about  it disappointed, but if people who do not know about these issues see it, they may not be disappointed.

        Another blow to animal Activists by judge SeaWorld makes "Good Faith Effort"

   In the same week the documentary "Blackfish" enters a theater in Maitland Fl, around the corner from the theater, another blow for animal activists from the ruling of the judge for the same company portrayed in the documentary, SeaWorld in Orlando. The documentary depicts the life and treatment of a whale named Tilikum a transient Orca who was captured off the East Coast of Iceland back in November 1983, almost 30 years ago.Tilikum was then stuck in a tank to perform daily, do tricks to entertain the public, and all the while the industry claiming it is for educational purposes. This is one of the first times if ever, Tilikum's story is being told publicly in front of a local audience. The purpose of the documentary is to expose his life, the truths about what happens behind closed doors of a marine mammal park, and to try and show that the industry needs to change. Many believe the industry causes the whales to behave in manners not seen in the wild, some of which include emotional and physical abnormalities within the Orca population being held in captivity. Just when people who have been fighting with the captive industry to change for years are thinking the tables are turning, they get an unexpected blow.
    Judge Welsch in Orlando, has ruled SeaWorld has made a  "Good Faith Effort" to protect its trainers from the Orca's in their care. In the article posted by clickorlando.com they state the judge indicated that SeaWorld has more expertise then OSHA when it comes to determining how closely the trainers can work alongside these majestic cetaceans. Why then, do we have OSHA if that's the case? OSHA is supposed to over see safety concerns, SeaWorld is above OSHA when it comes to their killer whales? If this is true, why then were the mistakes made and another life taken before they realized what they had already implemented was not good enough? SeaWorld is not above anyone else when it comes to understanding safety. They still believe what they do with these Orca's has an educational value on learning about them. They do not seem like they are experts in Orca's nor their behaviors, if they were, they would be able to realize a pool without interaction of their true pod members is no home or place for an Orca to live. Bring in a true expert on Orca's, have them decide. Not SeaWorld or anyone associated as they are the industry in question, if the judge truly believes OSHA has no expertise in the matter.
      OSHA along with others feel there is still a very big safety concern. How many people need to be injured or yet die, on the account of a mistake and overlook of the safety at this facility and others alike? Orca's belong in the wild, not in a pool for observation and harassment. These whales are harassed on a daily basis and it causes many psychological induced behaviors, aggression being one of them. If SeaWorld is depicted to be better in determining the safety then that of the place who is there to make sure they imply safety measures, what will this mean in future events? There will be another incident and it may even be another death. All you have to look at is the incidents that have happened yearly at marine parks, many go unreported as well. You can see some of these incidents here http://www.orcahome.de/incidents.htm Whether it is tomorrow or many years from now, there will likely be another incident like that back in 2010, of Dawn Brancheau and others prior to that, the reason that all this is now taking place.
    When OSHA and SeaWorld went to court back in 2012 the judge ruled in favor of OSHA, the same judge now ruling, many truly thought there would be a change at least to the captivity industry when it came to water works. In doing so, many thought there would be more changes to come and possibility of a blow to SeaWorld and its industry. Instead people who have fought and hoped for this are now the ones receiving the blow. Waterworks is a very big part of SeaWorld and by taking that away, you are taking away half of what SeaWorld is. Many animal activists thought this would be the start of a change in the captivity industry. Once again though, SeaWorld has overcome the obstacle in front of them, at least for the time being.
     The judge in the case has given an extension of six months to SeaWorld to show that they have implemented safety precautions and procedures, but yet they are not limited to the abatement's of OSHA. If they can come up with and demonstrate that their tactics and their safety measures are as effective,or more effective then OSHA's abatement's, then they may even be able to get out of their fines with OSHA, as well as possibly even start waterworks again. SeaWorld is appealing their fines with OSHA and may get off scott free with their citations and fines along with what many feel are the correct ways to make sure another incident does not occur, to not be able to do waterworks with the Orca's. Which means everything many have tried to do to change this industry will again be dismissed, and SeaWorld again will be able to possibly keep conducting their unmoral and unethical treatments of these majestic cetaceans who deserve the same as many of their wild counterparts. A life without harassment, without exploitation, and to be free to swim hundreds of miles a day, as it should be.