Policy on Puppy Farming
We do not tolerate puppy farms on our web site.
We love dogs in all shapes and sizes and would hate to think that puppy farmers use our web site in their despicable dealings.
We reserve the right to monitor ads on DoneDeal.ie and we reserve the right to report suspected puppy farms/farmers to the Gardai, PSNI, the ISPCA and/or any other authority or organisation that we feel is appropriate. If ads are posted on DoneDeal.ie in breach of this policy we reserve the right to remove them from the Website without giving notice to the advertiser or refunding any fee paid.
We retain the right to make judgment as to whether an advertiser or user of the Website is a puppy farmer.
Please help us keep our site free from puppy farmers, your help is much appreciated.
What You Should Do
If you find any ads that you suspect are from puppy farmers, please contact the local SPCA immediately.
Tell the inspector where you found the ad, we help the SPCA with information about ads, breeds, contact details, and any other information that helps the investigation.
Please let us know if you have any other ideas how we can make life more difficult for puppy farmers.
What We Do
- We monitor all dog ads. Any person who advertises too many breeds or too often is permanently banned from using DoneDeal again.
- We let rescue centres re-home animals through our web site for free. This has helped SPCAs find new homes for a large number of dogs, cats, and other animals. If you work with an SPCA club, please contact us for information about how you can re-home animals for free through DoneDeal.
- We have a number of rules that go beyond Irish law. For example, we don’t allow ads that mention or imply that dogs should kill other animals, we don’t allow ads that mention Christmas, and we don’t allow ads for shipping animals.
- We help the ISPCA and Gardai with information about ads, breeds, contact details, and anything else that helps the them investigate an ad or breeder on DoneDeal.
- We give 50% of our revenues from the dog section to projects for education and legislation through PetAware.ie.
- We lobby for more effective legislation to stop puppy farmers in Ireland.
- We educate our visitors how to buy a pet and how to avoid puppy farms.
Stop Dog Fights
In Ireland, “Pit Bulls” are the breed of choice for dog fights, due to their strength, courage and dog-aggressive tendencies. Although dog fighting is illegal in Ireland (Cruelty to Animals Act 1911), it is still practiced, and is usually accompanied by gambling.
Pit Bulls that are used in fights are often brutalized and abused to make them “mean”, and may be terribly maimed or killed during the fight.
We at DoneDeal.ie grew up with dogs as close and loving family members, and we believe that dogs make a lovely addition and company to any family. Therefore we would hate to think that DoneDeal.ie is used by people involved with dog fights.
We appeal to members of the public with any information about dog fighting activities to please contact the Gardai.
The Pit Bull
Dog fighters are the minority among pit bull owners. Some people who own these breeds direct their dogs’ plentiful energy toward nonviolent athletic tasks. Some people train their pit bulls for dog agility. Others involve their pit bulls in weight pulling competitions or obedience competitions. The pit bull often excels at these sports.
Pit bulls have gained a fearsome reputation among the general public due to negative media attention, but those familiar with the breed generally attest to its friendly disposition, especially toward children and small animals, earning it the nickname “the nanny dog”.
Pit Bulls or Related Breeds are not Allowed on DoneDeal.ie
After discussing the problem with dog fights in Ireland with the ISPCA and IKC we have decided not to allow Pit Bulls or related breeds to be advertised on DoneDeal.ie.
Staffordshires
Some breeds may be visually similar to the Pit Bull, for example the Staffordshires. As these breed names are sometimes used by unscrupulous dealers to advertise Pit Bulls we have decided not to allow these breeds on DoneDeal at the moment.
Microchipping Services
The VCI advise that the implantation of a microchip is considered to be an act of veterinary medicine and as such should only be carried out by registered persons (vets or nurses). Therefore we do not allow any ads advertising this service and would recommend people that would like to have their dog microchipped contact their vet directly.
Avoid Confusion – Use Photos
Some unscrupulous breeders have used other related breed names (e.g. American Bulldog, Terriers, etc) to advertise Pit Bulls. Due to this problem we require that any ad that can be misunderstood for a Pit Bull must include a photo of the dog, showing clearly that it is not a Pit Bull being advertised.
If you are advertising pups, make sure to include at least the bitch in the photo, to avoid confusion.
Other Policies
No Puppies under 8 weeks old
We do not allow ANY dog ads on our site for puppies under 8 weeks old as it is not suggested to rehome a pup before this time:
http://irishdogs.info/articles/caring-for-puppies.html
Only 1 breed of dog per ad
We limit the number of dog ads that you can have on DoneDeal at any one time, and each ad should be for only one breed i.e. one litter of pups or one adult dog.
Stud Dogs must be over 2 years old
We have consulted with several rescue, animal welfare and Dog groups for advice on this subject and it has been suggested that for the dog’s and puppies best interest, a dog should not be studded before they are 2 years old http://dogplay.com/Breeding/breeding_age.html
For that reason we have decided that our policy will be to not allow any dog be advertised for stud under 2 years old.
No “Christmas Pets”
Pets are for life, not only for Christmas. Therefore ads must not contain any references that encourage people to buy a pet specifically for Christmas.
No Shipping
It is important to see a puppy’s parents and the breeder’s facilities before buying a pet. Therefore we do not accept any ads that involve shipping animals.
No Killing Prey
We do not like the idea of dogs killing prey (e.g. foxes, badgers, deer, etc), as it can be a cruel experience for the prey, or the dog, or both. Therefore we do not accept ads that imply that the dog could/should be used for such activity. Also, we do not accept ads that mention or imply ‘digging’ or ‘lamping’.
No Coursing
Hares are protected under the Wildlife Acts, enforced by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the hunting of them is illegal. You can read more here:
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1976/en/act/pub/0039/index.html
As we have no way of monitoring licensed or unlincensed coursing events, we have decided not to allow any reference to coursing. This is to ensure that the above Wildlife Act is adhered to.
Follow ISPCA Recommendations
The ad must follow the recommendations from the ISPCA.
Thank You for Your Support
We hope our users appreciate that we are doing this in the interest of the dogs.
We have these rules to prevent the small number people who abuse dogs from advertising on DoneDeal.ie. Unfortunately this means that genuine dog owners cannot advertise their pets either.
Status of this Policy
This policy forms part of our Agreement with you concerning use of our Website http://help.donedeal.ie/info/legal, all of which you should read carefully before you start to use this Website. By accessing and using this Website, you indicate that you have read, understand and accept that Agreement, and that you agree to abide by its terms and conditions each time you access and use this Website. If you do not agree to all of the terms and conditions of the Agreement you should not use this Website.
*Exceptions can apply within our Rescue section.