THE PROBLEM
- eBay offers an enormous online marketplace for puppy mills and backyard breeders by allowing pet sales in their classifieds.
- eBay claims there are safeguards in place, but do they personally regulate sellers’s establishments, breeding philosophies or home visits?
- A federal law loophole requires no USDA regulation for online animal sales, so how does eBay stop breeders like THIS? [Watch this compelling video.]
THE SOLUTION
eBay Classifieds can protect animals and buyers — by ending live animal sales. They can shut down listings completely or move to adoption-only listings via a full Petfinder partnership. Since eBay has taken steps that show they won’t support animal cruelty at auction, let’s make them understand that it’s impossible to keep puppy mills and irresponsible breeders out of their classifieds.
THE MOVEMENT IS GROWING
- Felissa Hadas of Two Little Cavaliers first chastised live animal classifieds on eBay a month ago.
- Change.org picked up the story and started the following petition.
- It is our turn to carry this issue forward. Protect these animals from being passed around for money. Sign today.
Thanks for continuing to bring attention to this issue! Bothe Dr. Lorie and I have written about it as well. I even caught an ad from someone wanting to trade their Doberman for a Chow Chow! Can you believe it?
Hi Mel,
I'm glad we can all pull together on this topic. Sadly, with 7-9 new stitches in my right hand (I couldn't look to count exactly), I won't be partaking in any more discussion than my left thumb can hammer out from my iPhone today.
Please, everybody, continue to discuss. I will certainly be reading along between pain meds. This topic is important and I know how many of you will have thoughtful responses.
Let's put the pressure on!
Thanks for helping get this out there, Kim. Over 40,000 new people have signed on just since this morning! As you said, eBay has done the right thing in the past by keeping animals out of auctions, and now it's time for them to extend that compassion to the classifieds.
I'm fully behind this push – it's amazing that they haven't ended all animal ads by now. Thanks for updating us on the status. You're right, put the pressure on – and keep it on!
40K!!! Since this morning?! AWESOME!
Okay. I just saw your response. What happened to your hand? I think you need another vacation after everything that has happened!
Posted about it today… Not a pretty story. 🙁
Hi Kim, I signed, and my wish is for everyone to buy their dogs and cats at shelters or rescue groups. If you want a purebred dog, some may be surprised what they find at shelters. Rescue groups specialize in pure breeds.
We should never buy a dog or cat at a pet store, on line–unless it is a rescue group and you check it out in person, or even a breeder. I won't even shop at a breeder because our shelters are overrun with wonderful dogs and cats that are in desperate need of good homes.
Agreed!