We've all seen them. Flyers or ads that say things like, "free to a good home" or "free pet." While most of the people behind these ads have a sincere desire to find a nice home for an animal they cannot or will not keep, free animals, also known as "give-aways", often end up the losers.

According to the SPCA, unless a person knows for a fact the home where the animal is going is indeed a good home, they may inadvertently be causing serious problems for the animal.

"'Free-to-a-good-home' puppies, kittens, cats and dogs often end up abandoned, abused or suffer, violent painful deaths", according to SPCA officials, "Many cases investigated by cruelty agents involve these animals."

A free pet is more easily disposable than one for which an adoption fee - however small - is paid. The idea isn't to make a profit when finding your animal a new home, but to judge the intentions of the person wanting to adopt. People seeking pets for research labs, blood sports, food for snakes, or for breeding farms usually won't fork out money for animals when they can find plenty for "free."

There are ways to avoid such disasters. If an animal must be given up and someone is determined to find a new home on their own, they should do some checking before letting the animal go. Asking for references, making a follow up phone call, even doing a post-adoption home visit are responsible ways of making sure an animal has ended up in a good situation.

All those things take time, however, and if a person feels they can't take the extra steps, then contacting a humane society or rescue group may be the best thing to do. Those groups have qualified staff or volunteers trained to screen and counsel potential adopters.

The most important thing during the adoption process, according to SPCA officials, is to "be sure the animal's best interests remain [the] top priority."

Of course, there are many ways to prevent having to give an animal away in the first place. Don't give pets as gifts to someone not ready or willing to take on the responsibility. Have all animals that become part of your family spayed and neutered to make sure you are not adding to the number of puppies and kittens that may or may not find homes. Become educated about a breed prior to adoption so you'll know ahead of time if you, your lifestyle and the animal will mesh. And acquire professional help with any behavioral problems because most difficulties truly can be resolved with a little education, time and patience.

Patricia Collier is the Owner and Web Mistress of FloridaPets.net.

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