Craigslist caved under pressure to remove “Erotic Services” ads—so why won’t they do the same for backyard breeder “Pets for Sale” ads?
Here’s How We Change That:
Sites like Craigslist, Backpage, and others shut down their “personals” and “erotic encounters” sections after laws passed that held platforms accountable—exposing them to massive fines and even criminal charges.
Now imagine applying that same kind of accountability to online pet sale ads from the underground economy.
No, pet sales aren’t human trafficking—but they are rampantly unregulated, and existing animal laws are nearly impossible to enforce when pet sellers operate anonymously through online ads.
Backyard Breeders and Puppy Mills Depend on Advertising.
Remove their ability to advertise—and you cut off their entire pipeline of profit.
The solution?
A real law that makes it illegal for any website or platform to accept “Pets for Sale” ads unless:
- The advertiser has a verified, paid annual registration
- A valid sales tax number
- Proof of photo ID, source, and veterinary health certificates for all pets to be advertised
- Willingness to submit to animal control, zoning, or law enforcement inspections
Here’s Why This Works:
Backyard breeders won’t comply.
They can’t—and they won’t. That’s the point.
They rely on remaining hidden, dodging taxes, and avoiding inspections. If posting an ad requires revealing their identity and paying fees, they’ll disappear overnight.
But to make this work, we need enforceable penalties for websites that accept non-compliant ads.
This Law Would Mean:
- No registration = No ad
- No ad = No sale
- No sale = No profit
- No profit = No more backyard breeders
And most importantly…
More adoptions. Fewer scams. Healthier pets.
Animal shelters, rescue groups, and everyday pet lovers win when we cut off the profit stream that fuels backyard breeders and puppy mills.
We did it with “Erotic Services.”
We can do it again—to protect animals, not just people.
Let’s force Craigslist and others to stop turning a blind eye.
Let’s save some pets.
