Dog, cat & Co.
Success for animal rights activists: eBay classifieds drastically restricts trade in young pets
A puppy at the vet. It should no longer be traded on eBay classifieds without permission.
© Arne Dedert / DPA
Not only furniture, apartments and cars are traded on eBay classified ads – animals have also become a popular category. This caused criticism again and again, because the background of the “breeders” can hardly be understood. Now the platform responds.
Online retailer eBay classifieds was repeatedly criticized for offering pets: Many of the listings were not from private individuals who could no longer keep their pets due to lack of space or moving. Instead, more and more “breeders” romped around on the platform, who sensed a good deal with puppies, kittens and rare exotic animals – the fate of the animals was of less interest.
eBay classifieds is now responding to the criticism and has significantly restricted the placement of pets via the platforms. So there is a complete end for reptiles such as snakes, turtles or lizards, as the company announced. This measure aims in particular to prevent illegal trade in protected species.
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eBay Classifieds: Changes to the puppies and kittens trade
The placement of puppies and kittens under the age of twelve months is still permitted in principle, but traders will need permission from the authorities in the future. This permission according to the Animal Welfare Act should be a prerequisite for the posting of the advertisement. It must be proven in advance.
Two ad formats are also banned: Users are no longer allowed to place requests in the “Pets” category, so only offers are allowed. In addition, there are also changes to the prize type “For free”: Although this was banned for a long time, the corresponding feature still existed until now. This should now also be technically removed.
Animals may also not be exchanged or rented. “As the largest online classifieds market in Germany, we see ourselves as particularly committed to animal welfare on our platform,” explained Ebay classifieds CEO Paul Heimann.
Source: Terms and conditions of ebay classifieds