The animal welfare organizations German Animal Welfare Federation, PETA, Pro Wildlife and FOUR PAWS have called on the operators of online classifieds portals to make the protection of animals a top priority. As long as the online trade in animals is permitted by law, it is the responsibility of the platforms to prevent, among other things, the illegal trade in animals, the trade in all types of torture breeding and the trade in live wild animals on their sites. However, products and sales channels that cause animal suffering, such as the shipping of live animals or the sale of accessories that violate animal welfare or real fur, should not be forgotten in the debate.
At a round table today, the organizations met with the platform operators Kleinanzeigen, Deine Tierwelt, Snautz, Edogs and Honestdogs as well as the Federal Animal Welfare Commissioner Ariane Kari and the State Animal Welfare Commissioners from Berlin, Brandenburg and North Rhine-Westphalia and representatives of veterinary associations to discuss the problem areas and identify possible solutions. They are also supported in their project by the Bund gegen Missbrauch der Tiere (bmt), the Bundesverband Tierschutz (BVT) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
Dr. Romy Zeller, specialist for pets at the German Animal Welfare Federation: "As long as the platform operators allow animals to be offered and bought online, they enable spontaneous and ill-considered animal purchases. In the absence of security measures such as seller identity checks, the platforms also open the door to illegal animal trading. They are therefore responsible for considerable animal suffering and avoidable problems, which also fall back on our affiliated and already overburdened animal shelters. Until there is a long overdue legal ban or at least a restriction on the online trade in animals, the platform operators themselves must ensure the protection of the animals."
Jana Hoger, specialist at PETA Germany: "The online trade in sentient beings is flourishing on a massive scale. Around 20,000 puppies are offered for sale on the largest platforms every month - many of them from criminal traders. However, it is not only dogs that are heavily affected by the online trade, but countless other living creatures. This must finally be stopped. We are therefore calling for an urgent ban on the sale of animals online."
Katharina Lameter, campaigner at Pro Wildlife: "Wild animals such as caracals, parrots, pythons, fish, tarantulas etc. can be bought quickly and easily online. This is highly problematic from both an animal welfare and species protection perspective: on the one hand, no prior knowledge is required and information about the animals' needs is often lacking - mistakes in husbandry and the abandonment or sale of animals are inevitable. Secondly, it is not possible for the authorities to monitor the offers. The online and mail-order trade in wild animals must therefore be stopped immediately."
Stefanie Köppl, Federal Policy Officer at FOUR PAWS: "Anonymity is one of the biggest problems in the online trade in animals. In the fight against the illegal animal trade, it is necessary that animals may only be sold on online platforms if the identity of their providers has been validated. In combination with a legally introduced identification and registration requirement, current and past owners would be clearly identifiable. What's more, the most popular animals on online platforms are often considered to be bred for cruelty. The platforms should put a stop to this by blacklisting breeds bred for cruelty. Animals that are considered to be bred for torture often suffer for their entire lives and we believe that it is not only the legislator's duty but also that of the platforms to put an end to this suffering."
Ariane Kari, Federal Government Commissioner for Animal Welfare: "Today's appointment was important. Even if the current draft bill to amend the Animal Welfare Act contains positive aspects with regard to the regulation of online trade, it is not far-reaching enough to counteract the many animal welfare problems associated with the online trade in animals. For example, animal purchases via social media would not be covered by the current draft, but are relevant. However, further changes to the content are also necessary, and political improvements must be made here! Animal welfare has been enshrined in the German constitution as a national objective for more than twenty years and the protection of animals must be supported by society. I therefore believe that online platforms also have a responsibility towards animals."
After the meeting, the animal welfare organizations expressed confidence that the constructive exchange would continue. They expect that further progress in terms of animal welfare can be made together with the platform operators - until politicians create binding regulations for the online trade in animals. However, the animal rights activists were disappointed that some other large platform operators such as Terrraristik.com, Markt.de, Quoka, Facebook, Tiktok and Instagram did not attend. According to the organizations, they did not respond to the invitation to the round table, which casts doubt on their willingness to introduce improvements for the welfare of animals.
