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10. UK Moderators Manual
    
    

Choosing Your Freecycle™ Pet Moderator

Now that you have decided that your group will allow pet posts, you might want to consider getting a Pet Moderator to handle these pet related posts. So, now you are wondering, how do you find the person best suited to be your group's pet moderator?

Here are a few things to consider when making your choice as to who would benefit your group the most:

(1) The pet moderator must love animals. That is a given but that alone is not enough. Of course they have to love pets!

(2) They must have a lot of knowledge on how to take care of pets. They need to know what are the signs that a pet is sick? What things should a pet not be given or given to keep it healthy. They should know about pet products like foods are the best or worst for your pet? What toys do certain pets like? For caged pets they need to know about what type of cage a pet should be in and the size that it needs.

(3) They should know all the local vets to refer members to in case they do not already have a trusted vet.

(4) They should have knowledge of what pets are illegal to have in the state that you live in.

(5) They should have a broad knowledge of all pet breeds.

(6) They should have knowledge of all the pet rescues that are local to your area, as well as a list of people that could foster any pet until a home is found.

(7) They should have an eye to notice if a member is a breeder or animal hoarder. Remember that pet breeding is not allowed in Freecycle™. Also, a person that is an animal hoarder is not a good one to receive offered pets.

Now that you have found the person whom you believe is perfect for this position what next?

Next, you change them to moderator status but without the privileges (they generally don't need them). However, they need to have the moderator status so that members can better contact them for help. The pet moderator will watch for all pet related posts and follow up on them and ask the member if they would like their help. They will recommend things to the board and to members such as "Carefully screen the recipient and visit the home where the pet is to stay." Or they'll make it clear that posts for breeding purposes are not allowed. Depending on local rules, or if pet posts are not allowed locally, they'll refer the errant poster to petfinder.org.

Some pet mods have fostered a few pets until a home was found. Pet moderators are great people and deserve out utmost respect. They work just as hard as the moderators do and they are dealing with a real life in the process.

Some moderators choose to give their pet moderators the privileges of approving posts but only have them approve the pet related post and nothing else. That is something you can consider as well.