I do agree- it would seem that you'd be able to auction an animal and then be able to screen through the applications. It doesn't seem that difficult. BUT- on the flip side, if we are trying (as breeders) to represent to the world at whole that we care for where our babies go- auctions do not send that message at all.
Alice- btw- I've only known of two SV auctions in the past six or seven years. One was not on Facebook and I know where that girl went (and it wasn't through the auction- the breeder pulled it after there was a hue and cry about it)- the other was on FB- and that kitty is safe, sound, and loved, thanks to rescue's efforts.
I don't think it would work to run an auction THEN screen the home. Someone is the highest bidder and THEN you tell them their home is not OK? Then have to screen the next home, etc? Or do you pre-screen all the bidders beforehand?
At the end of it, a kitten is a companion animal and not livestock. We treat our pets differently and they should not go to the highest bidder but placed in the appropriate home.
Yes, the first auction in the SV world was the Savannah Cat Shoppe that announced that on the yahoogroup, to mass outcry so they abandoned that idea I believe. Then Amazing Grace cattery also tried it (with my Nina, who I purchased AFTER we'd convinced her an auction was not appropriate). And the Facebook kitten, Penny... was first won by one guy who gave it to his friend because he was allergic to cats! He only entered because he saw a competition and liked to win things. Then his friend listed the kitten on Craigslist, and this is the one and only time SV Rescue has purchased a kitten... because it was getting shuffled around so fast and was an unspayed female kitten too :-(
It is not an ethical breeder action to auction a kitten or raffle one off. If one wants to sell a kitten quickly reduce its price and most the time then, you likely will get further offers if that is not low enough and you can make your decision that way.