Posting rules
These rules are enforced when you submit an advert, not after. Some of them are our policy; most of them are the law. Where it is the law, we say which one.
Where these rules come from. Several follow the minimum standards published by the Pet Advertising Advisory Group, which we have adopted as our own.We are not a member of PAAG and nothing here is endorsed or approved by them. Where a rule is the law we cite the Act; everywhere else it is our decision and you can hold us to it.
You may not advertise
- XL Bully type dogs, Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino or Fila Brasileiro - selling, giving away, exchanging, advertising and rehoming are all illegal (Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 s.1; Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Order 2023).
- Dogs with cropped ears (Animal Welfare Act 2006 s.5).
- Pregnant animals.
- Animals for swap, loan or rent.
- Live vertebrates as food, or farmed animals in the pet section.
- Primates, birds of prey, restricted pythons and reptile morphs, or any Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 species without a licence.
- CITES Annex A specimens without an Article 10 certificate.
- Delivery of a live vertebrate by post or courier - equines excepted.
If you are a licensed seller, your advert must include
- Your licence number.
- The council that issued it.
- A recognisable photograph of the animal.
- The animal's age (except fish).
- The country the animal is being sold from.
- The animal's country of origin.
Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 Sch. 6, and the equivalent Scottish and Welsh Regulations 2021. We will not publish an advert missing any of them.
Puppies and kittens under six months
You may only sell one if you bred it yourself. Registered rescues may rehome one using an adoption advert. This is Lucy's Law and it is not negotiable.
Enforcement
Three attempts to post an illegal advert and the account is permanently closed. Every decision comes with a written reason and an appeal to someone who was not involved in it. We act on reports within 12 working hours.