A recent investigation by the animal welfare organization "Four Paws" has revealed that several European countries, including Austria, are involved in the illicit puppy trade on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
Despite existing regulations, sellers are finding ways to bypass the rules, putting both the animals and potential buyers at risk.
Investigation Findings
Between September 2023 and June 2024, "Four Paws" identified 15 Facebook groups and seven Instagram profiles actively involved in selling puppies.
In Austria alone, these groups amassed over 15,600 followers, according to a report by Kurier.
The investigation revealed that six of these Facebook groups had offers from unregistered dealers, while four groups advertised puppies under the legal minimum age.
Similarly, the Instagram profiles identified had around 13,000 followers.
Although Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, officially bans the sale of pets on its platforms, sellers use various tactics to skirt these regulations.
According to "Four Paws," dubious sellers avoid using direct sales language, instead relying on emojis, hashtags, and vague descriptions. They often fake their locations and move conversations to private chats, making it difficult to track their activities.
Meta’s response to these violations has been described as "half-hearted" by the organization, allowing sellers to resume their activities shortly after a report is filed.
Veronika Weissenböck, campaign manager at "Four Paws," expressed her concern:
“We see once again that the puppy trade has gotten out of control. Unscrupulous traders operate in secret and without fear of consequences. We call on Meta to finally stop the puppy trade on Facebook and Instagram until the traceability of both the traders and the animals can be guaranteed.”
Recognizing Dubious Offers
Potential puppy buyers are urged to be cautious when dealing with online sellers.
Red flags include sellers refusing to allow a visit to see the puppy and its mother, offering home delivery, or declining video calls. Ads featuring terms like "designer dogs" and showcasing overly luxurious photos should also raise suspicion.
Puppies sold by unregistered dealers often suffer from health problems due to being separated from their mothers too early and not being properly vaccinated. This can lead to emotional distress for the buyers and significant veterinary costs, as these dealers typically disappear after the sale.
