Update (2/20/11): The petition has more than 85,000 signatures! Way to step up, everyone! Keep the pressure on eBay. Share the petition, post a comment on eBay’s Facebook page, tweet away!
This feels like one of those posts I shouldn’t have to write…
eBay allows live animals to be sold through the classified section of the website.
By allowing anyone to sell live animals on their site, eBay is giving backyard breeders and puppy mills an open and unregulated market. This is the kind of thing that helps puppy mills sustain their cruel operations because, like with any other business, without customers, they’d be out of business.
Plus, unlike a shelter or a responsible breeder, the online sellers aren’t doing anything to ensure that the animals are going to a good home. According to the article:
Online puppy sales not only attract puppy mills and irresponsible backyard breeders, but if you’re shipping a puppy across the country based on an eBay sale, you don’t really know who is at the other end or what they’ll do with the animal. That’s why no responsible breeder or rescuer would sell an animal on a site like eBay.
Change.org started a petition to urge eBay to stop selling live animals through the site’s classified section. As of this posting, the petition had just over 12,000 signatures. Will you add yours?
Mayzie says
02•17•11 at 5:53 pmHi! My mom just signed it. Thanks for letting us know! That’s a really very strange thing ebay is letting happen.
Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie
Stephanie Feldstein says
02•17•11 at 6:25 pmThanks for helping spread the word! Classified listings have always been a danger zone for both buyers and sellers, and the accessibility and anonymity of the internet just makes it that much worse. EBay knew well enough to keep animals out of their auctions, so it’s absurd that they’d leave this backdoor open for backyard breeders and puppy mills.
bob doll says
02•17•11 at 8:21 pmThis on-line dog selling service you provide is hurting your reputation. Myself,
for one, as of now, will no longer use e-bay.
Jack says
02•17•11 at 8:23 pmThis has to be one of the dumbest articles ever written. You blame ebay for the actions of others and expect them to even respond? Who in their right mind wouldn’t take a pup out of a blanket and look it over before purchasing? Come on. You cannot stop the sales of puppies in this country.
Pamela says
02•17•11 at 8:53 pmThanks for posting. Dogs are not commodities to be sold to the highest bidder.
As for Mr. Jack, I wonder if he would have said “You’re never going to stop bigots. Why are you bothering to force businesses to serve everyone regardless of race.” Some people really have trouble hoping for a better future, huh?
Maggie says
02•17•11 at 9:42 pmThank you, Stephanie, for organizing this campaign. It’s so critical to take action, so thank you for all that you do!
Jack, Pamela makes an excellent point. Plus, as you said, who would purchase a puppy without seeing him or her first? Well, all the people buying pups sight-unseen through eBay’s classifieds!
Kristine says
02•17•11 at 10:06 pmI too agree with Pamela. I don’t understand the attitude of people like Jack. Yes, this kind of change is hard and won’t come right away. But it won’t come at all unless we try. Thanks for believing in an optimisic future, Maggie. Enough to try to convince others they can make a difference. The idea of selling dogs on Ebay is appalling. I didn’t even know this was allowed until recently. I will certainly support those who are working hard to end it.
Peggy @Peggy's Pet Place says
02•18•11 at 1:46 amI didn’t know they allowed that. yikes. I’ll help spread the word.
Jen Odom says
02•19•11 at 11:18 amI had no idea e-bay sold animals!!! How awful! I too, will not be using my e-bay account until this has ended! I will also be sharing this information with everyone I know to do the same. Shame on e-bay!!!
Jim says
02•20•11 at 10:27 amI checked in my zip and found only dogs/cats from the humane shelter and some personal listings (local).
No puppy mills.
If you think you are actually doing something helpful to eliminate puppy mills by signing an online “petition”, you probably think you are supporting the troops by putting a made-in-china bumper sticker on your car.
Just more feel good stuff, no substance.