Buying and selling pets online has become the primary method for acquiring companion animals, with approximately in Australia alone, most of them via the internet. While digital platforms offer ease and accessibility, the lack of transparency poses significant risks to animal welfare and consumer security. The Rise of the Online Pet Market
: Platforms range from community classifieds like Gumtree and Trading Post to specialized sites like Pets4Homes . buy and sell pets online
: The onset of the pandemic saw a surge in pet acquisition costs; pre-pandemic, only 16% of dogs cost more than $2,000, but by late 2022, that figure rose to 34%. Critical Risks and "Red Flags" Buying and selling pets online has become the
: Research indicates that online advertisements are now the most common way people find pets. : The onset of the pandemic saw a
The anonymity of the internet allows irresponsible breeders to operate with little oversight, often leading to poor breeding practices or outright fraud.
As selling pets online becomes normal, we need to regulate it