On 15 April 2015, an initiative was launched following a number if incidents reporting illegal puppy farming and advertising. The new organisation established has introduced minimum standards for classified ad websites to ensure the welfare of animals being sold online is protected and any illegal activity is identified and reported as quickly as possible.
It is a very difficult industry to monitor and control with many transactions of a minor nature however, the minimum standards were recently launched by animal welfare organisations which seeks to obtain the co-operation of the website operators.
The online sale of pets has been identified as a significant problem with rogue breeders breaking the law and in many cases compromising the welfare of the animals being offered for sale. In the absence of a ban, which would result in adverts appearing on unregulated websites likely based outside Ireland, it would make dealing with animal welfare issues extremely difficult and would do nothing to prevent the over production of puppies.
The ISPCA has said the online sale of pets has been identified as a significant problem with rogue breeders breaking the law and in many cases compromising the welfare of the animals being offered for sale.
The new Regulatory body referred to as the ‘Irish Pet Advertising Advisory Group’ (IPAAG) have imposed a Minimum Standards for online classified advertising websites to ensure that the welfare of animals sold online is protected and that any illegal activity is identified and investigated.
In addition to providing standards for the online advertising of animals for sale, IPAAG will also provide an opportunity for the buyer to be educated on what criteria to use to identify a responsible breeder.
Online websites that comply with the standards will provide links to www.ipaag.ie,which will include information for the safe purchase of healthy dogs, cats, equines and exotic animals.
A very welcome development.
