Selling animals on Facebook Marketplace is prohibited for a few key reasons. Facebook has strict policies in place to protect animal welfare and prevent unethical animal sales through their platform. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore why you can’t sell live animals on Marketplace and examine the platform’s animal sales policies.
Facebook’s Ban on Animal Sales
In 2017, after facing pressure from animal welfare groups, Facebook officially banned all sales or rehoming of live animals on Marketplace. This policy applies to pets like dogs, cats, and rabbits as well as livestock animals like pigs, horses, and chickens.
Facebook spokesperson Liz Bourgeois stated: “We already prohibit the sale of animals between private individuals and will begin enforcing this policy over the next few weeks. We will monitor those posts that violate this policy, take the appropriate action, and learn from our experience in order to improve our enforcement.”
The ban includes these main animal categories:
- Live animals
- Animal carcasses
- Parts of animals
This policy is in place across all Facebook platforms, including Marketplace, buy/sell groups, and personal profiles. Users who attempt to buy, sell, trade, or gift live animals may have their post removed or their account disabled.
Reasons for the Ban
There are a few key reasons why Facebook decided to prohibit animal sales:
- Preventing unethical breeding and trade
- Stopping impulse pet purchases
- Promoting animal adoption
- Cracking down on animal cruelty
Illegal animal trafficking had become a problem on Facebook with some users misrepresenting pets and selling exotic or endangered animals. The open Marketplace format made it difficult to monitor animal sales and ensure ethical standards.
Another concern was impulse pet purchases. The ease of buying animals through Facebook increased risks associated with spur-of-the-moment adoption. This could lead buyers to take on pets they were unprepared to properly care for long-term.
Animal welfare groups called for stronger adoption screening to provide pets with safe, stable homes. The outright ban on sales aimed to steer prospective owners towards adopting from rescues or shelters instead.
Finally, restricting animal transactions allowed Facebook to take a tougher stance on animal cruelty and neglect. Removing the visibility and ease of selling animals was seen as a way to curb unethical treatment.
What’s Allowed Under the Policy
While live animals cannot be sold or rehomed, there are some narrow exceptions to Facebook’s policy:
- Livestock auctions – Facilitators of livestock auctions and sales can create Facebook events and share auction details, as long as animals are not directly sold through Marketplace.
- Rehoming posts – Users can create posts looking to rehome pets but cannot conduct a transaction or exchange the animal on Facebook.
- Animal parts or carcasses – Exceptions may be made for animal parts sourced from legal hunting or for traditional indigenous practices.
As long as no live animals or facilitation of direct sales occurs, some animal-related content is permitted. However, the exceptions are narrow and subject to Facebook’s discretion.
Advertising Pets on Marketplace
While users can’t directly sell animals, they can create posts advertising pets like dogs, cats, or horses available for sale or adoption elsewhere. However, there are strict guidelines for these ads:
- The post cannot contain pricing, payment, or transaction details
- Contact information can be shared to facilitate an offline transaction
- Location details must be broad, like city or state level
- Real photos of the actual pet for sale must be used – no stock images
As long as the Facebook post doesn’t amount to a direct, on-platform sale, advertisers may be permitted to share pet availability. But detailed logistics and specifics of the transaction must be arranged off of Facebook’s platforms.
Educational or Advertising Content
From an educational, commercial, or advertising perspective, some animal-related content is permitted if it does not facilitate direct sales.
For example, livestock breeders can share information about their animals for educational purposes. Pet stores can run ads promoting their business or available pets as long as the ads link out to their external website.
As long as the Facebook content itself does not amount to a marketplace transaction, informational posts may be permitted under Facebook’s policy.
Reporting Violations
To help enforce the Marketplace animal sales ban, Facebook relies on users to report prohibited posts. When creating an animal sales listing, you may see a message like this:
You can report violations by clicking the three dots in the upper right corner of the post and selecting “Report Post.”
Choose “Prohibited Goods and Services” followed by “Selling animals” as the reason for reporting. Substantiated reports will result in the removal of the post or disabling of the account.
Penalties for Violations
According to Facebook, penalties for attempting to buy, sell or gift live animals may include:
- Post removal
- Disabled access to Facebook pages, groups, Marketplace and Instagram shopping features
- Disabling personal accounts
Repeated or egregious violations typically result in account disabling. However, a single prohibited post or transaction may also lead to account restrictions per Facebook’s discretion.
Marketplace Pet Scams
One significant reason Facebook implemented a total ban on pet transactions was to combat scam sales. Unfortunately, many scammers still attempt to exploit Marketplace users through fake pet ads like these:
- Requesting upfront payment through wire transfer or gift card for a pet without allowing in-person meeting
- Posting photos stolen from legitimate breeders to misrepresent availability
- Listing unusually low priced purebred or designer pets to attract interest
- Failing to provide proof of vaccinations, registration, or other documentation
These common schemes result in buyers sending money without ever receiving the pet. Here are some tips to avoid pet purchase scams on Marketplace:
- Reverse image search photos to check if they are stolen from other sites
- Ask for multiple photos and videos that prove the seller has the pet
- Insist on an in-person meeting at the seller’s home to verify the pet
- Video chat with the seller to confirm they match the real person in their profile
- Do not send money until you have met the pet and seller in person
If an advertised pet seems fraudulent, report the post to Facebook before others are scammed.
Alternative Pet Adoption Places
Since buying and selling pets directly through Facebook is prohibited, here are some recommended alternative places to ethically adopt or purchase pets:
Animal Shelters and Rescues
Adopting from local shelters, humane societies, or pet rescues allows thorough screening while providing pets in need with a home. Most post adoptable pets on their websites or services like Petfinder.com.
Breed-Specific Rescues
Many rescues specialize in specific dog or cat breeds. Search for local groups focused on the breed you are interested in adopting.
Veterinarians
Local vets may know of litters or pets needing rehoming. Reputable vets ensure animals receive proper medical care and screening.
AKC Breeders
For purebred puppies, the American Kennel Club website lists responsible, registered breeders. All breeders must follow AKC standards of care and ownership screening.
Pet Stores
While controversy exists around pet stores, some work with rescues or inspect breeders to source animals responsibly. Visit stores in your area to learn about their processes.
Classified Sites
Sites like Craigslist allow pet rehoming ads as long as transactions occur off-platform. Communicate thoroughly to verify the legitimacy of any sale.
The Importance of Responsible Rehoming
When looking for a new pet, there are many factors to keep in mind beyond where you source the animal. Here are some tips for responsible adoption and rehoming:
- Research breeds thoroughly so you can meet a pet’s lifelong needs
- Evaluate your budget to ensure you can afford a pet’s care costs
- Ask about the pet’s history, health, and temperament
- Be honest about your household and lifestyle to find the right pet match
- Prepare pet supplies in advance – crate, food, bed, toys, etc.
- Schedule a vet visit shortly after adoption to establish care
- Commit to providing responsible lifetime care for your pet
When rehoming becomes necessary, avoid Marketplace and take steps to ensure your pet’s safe transition. Interview potential adopters thoroughly, collect rehoming fees, obtain signed contracts, and follow up after rehoming.
The Future of Facebook’s Animal Sales Policy
Facebook’s Marketplace pet ban has important implications for animal sales and rehoming practices. According to National Geographic, 90% of pet transactions in some regions have shifted from online sales to adoption since Marketplace restrictions began.
However, the policies continue to evolve. In late 2022, Facebook began allowing targeted advertising for pets needing rehoming. As long as transactions occur offline, more advertising may be permitted to support ethical rehoming in the future.
Overall, Facebook will likely maintain strict prohibitions around direct pet transactions to protect animal welfare. But the platform may explore more nuanced policies that balance rehoming needs with ethical standards of care.
Conclusion
In summary, Facebook prohibits all direct pet transactions through Marketplace or social platforms. This comprehensive ban aims to prevent unethical breeding, improve adoption practices, and crack down on animal cruelty and neglect.
While limited exceptions exist for educational content and offline transactions, any facilitation of direct pet sales on Facebook is strictly prohibited. Violators face penalties like post removals and account disabling.
When seeking a new pet ethically, consumers should avoid Marketplace and transactions with unverified strangers. Instead, adopt from reputable rescues, shelters, breeders, and sources that thoroughly vet animals and owners.
Facebook’s pet sales ban has led adoption rates to surge as potential pet owners connect with animals in need through responsible sources. While policies may continue adapting, Facebook remains committed to reducing unethical animal transactions through its platforms.