Facebook Bans Puppy Mill Ads

In response to concerns brought by the ASPCA, actions are now being taken to ensure that puppy mill puppies will no longer be listed or sold through Facebook’s Marketplace.

Unfortunately, many of the ads placed online are from puppy mills, where dogs are kept at large-scale commercial facilities in filthy conditions without even the most basic care or socialization. The partnership between the ASPCA, Facebook and Marketplace partner Oodle came about as part of the ASPCA’s No Pet Store Puppies campaign, which is intended to raise awareness of puppy mills and encourage people to adopt and avoid pet stores that sell animals.

“Removing an online platform for the cruel puppy mill industry sets a positive example of corporate citizenship and will help improve the lives of countless dogs,” said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. “Most consumers are unaware they are perpetuating animal cruelty by purchasing a puppy online, and given the visibility of Marketplace on Facebook, this move has the potential to raise critical awareness about unscrupulous online breeders.”

Breeders who sell directly to the public are also exempt from regulations that require them to be licensed and inspected by the USDA, allowing breeders who use online transactions to operate without any oversight, which means that not only will puppies continue to be mass produced, but that adult dogs in these facilities are condemned to a lives in cages as breeding machines.

“Consumers who purchase a puppy from a website run the risk of acquiring an unhealthy animal and often end up with expensive vet bills and broken hearts,” said Cori Menkin, Senior Director of the ASPCA Puppy Mills Campaign. “We hope additional online retailers and classifieds listings will follow this example and stop providing a platform for puppy mill sales.”

The process to remove puppy mill ads has already started and more than 10,000 have reportedly already been taken down. Ads from rescues and shelters that require adoption and rehoming fees will still be welcome on the site.

Visit the ASPCA’s No Pet Store Puppies campaign for more information on commercial dog breeding and alternatives.

Thanks to the 1,535 Care2 members who signed the petition against puppy mill ads on Facebook!

Related Stories:

Ireland Bans Puppy Mills

Toronto Bans Pet Stores from Selling Puppy Mill Cats and Dogs

Nearly 300 Dogs Seized from North Carolina Puppy Mill

Read more: animal cruelty, aspca, dogs, facebook, puppy mills, success story

Photo credit: teachingsagittarian

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Duane B.

7:54AM PST on Feb 28, 2013

Thank you for sharing.

February 28
send a green star

Carolyn M.

12:16PM PST on Feb 19, 2013

This is great, but please note it is nearly a year old (March, 2012). The question now is, is FB enforcing its ruling. This also means that if you run across a page selling puppies, you can report it to FB and they will take it down.

February 19
send a green star

Mary C.

6:42AM PST on Feb 19, 2013

YES!!!

Someone asked, "do you care". Too many people do not. "Education" does not work with those selfish people. You could live in a cave in Afghanistan and know about puppy mills. Way to go Facebook! And the ASPCA!

Janet W.

6:26AM PST on Feb 10, 2013

So glad that Facebook is not allowing Puppy Mill ads on FB. We all need to take responsibilty of helping to stop this process. Buying puppy's online or in a Pet store should be stopped now! You are killing innocent animals when doing this. Do You Care? You should if you have any feelings for any animal. If there is a Pet Store near you and they sell Puppy's and Kitty's tell them this is unacceptable and to stop this practice. I don't shop @ Pet Stores but, I will find out if they are selling them and read them the riot act.