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Animal charity warns of dangers of buying pets online

26th January 2012

A leading animal charity is warning people not to buy pets online after it revealed many buyers are being misled and can end up with sick or even dangerous animals.

The Blue Cross said its rehoming centres and hospitals have seen a growing problem with pets bought from unregulated websites requiring urgent vet treatment, or even having to be put to sleep as a result of health and behavioural issues. Others are given up or abandoned when they do not meet the buyer’s expectations, often due to a lack of information or inaccurate information provided in the advert.

Among the problems seen by the charity in recent months are: a kitten which fell seriously ill 24 hours after being handed over on a street corner; a Staffordshire bull terrier collected from a car park which was so crippled by fear it refused to come out of hiding; and a dog advertised as a Labrador crossbreed which is now suspected to be an illegal pit bull terrier.

The charity, which is working as part of the Pet Advertising Advisory Group, is calling for tighter regulation of such websites in a bid to crack down on rogue traders, protect well-meaning buyers from being exploited, and improve the welfare of animals sold online.

Steve Goody, director of external affairs at The Blue Cross, said: “Our research highlighted some serious welfare problems with pets being sold online, such as the sale of underage puppies and kittens, puppy farms masquerading as private sellers, and illegal status dogs being sold under the guise of legal breeds.

“There seems to be more protection for people buying a car online than a living creature, and irresponsible breeders are using the unregulated forum of the internet to make a quick buck at the expense of animals’ lives.

“We’d urge anyone looking for a pet to go to a trusted source like a rescue centre or a reputable breeder. But if you must look online, start with genuine rescue websites and avoid ads with limited information or contact details.”
In one case, a woman bought a four-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier from Gumtree last October because she ‘felt sorry for it’. The seller was vague about the background but the new owners suspected the dog had already had several homes.

Shortly after the Staffie arrived, it began showing signs of aggression and just three weeks later, it bit her young son in the face. The dog was later put to sleep on the advice of vets.

Steve added: “These incidents highlight the real risk people take when they buy a pet on the internet. Buyers often have no idea of the animal’s history, or even a guarantee that the animal is what the seller claims it is.

“Combine this uncertainty with the tendency to impulse buy online and it means more pets are being given up or abandoned, with charities like The Blue Cross left to pick up the pieces.”

As part of recent research into the problem, The Blue Cross has trawled through thousands of online adverts and highlighted grave concerns over animal welfare standards, including:
• Pets being sold without any guarantees about their breeding, health or wellbeing
• Pets being sold when too young to be separated from their mothers (under eight weeks)
• Adverts with limited information about the animal’s background and no photograph
• Worrying descriptions of animals such as ‘big and strong’ or ‘good guard dog’
• Sites being exploited by commercial breeders whose priority is profit over animal welfare
• Sellers giving out mobile phone numbers which can be uncontactable after the sale

The charity was so concerned with its findings that staff have met with key websites to urge them to improve regulation of online pet classified ads, such as insisting on detailed information and photographs of animals and displaying warnings that adverts for banned breeds will be reported to the police. But while some sites offer guidelines to sellers and will remove ads which are reported as inappropriate, most online adverts are unmoderated.

The Blue Cross, which is funded entirely by public donations, helps thousands of sick and needy animals every year through its network of rehoming centres and hospitals across the UK. The charity also actively campaigns to improve all aspects of pet and equine welfare.

To find out more or make a donation, visit www.bluecross.org.uk

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