Click HERE to view all our Legal Policies. 

Dog Policy  (Please note this is our new policy which is currently being implemented but not yet finalized. Wednesday 11th April)

DoneDeal is committed to providing the best welfare standards to animals advertised on its site, therefore we have created a number of policies for specific types of dogs. These are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are subject to change.

Policy on Puppy Farming

Done Deal is committed to doing everything it can to deter puppy farmers and dealers from advertising on our website.

As an organization and individuals we love dogs in all shapes and sizes and continually strive to improve the welfare all all dogs.

We reserve the right to monitor ads on DoneDeal.ie and we reserve the right to report suspected unregulated puppy farms/farmers or dealers to the Gardai, PSNI, the ISPCA and/or any other competent 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 or dealer.

Please help us keep our site free from unscrupulous puppy farmers or dealers, your help is much appreciated.

What You Should Do

If you find any ads that you suspect are from unregulated puppy farmers or dealers, please contact your local authority, Garda Siochana or the ISPCA, in Northern Ireland, please contact the PSNI or Ulster SPCA immediately.

In the Republic of Ireland from January 1^st 2012, the Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010 was enacted. This legislation covers the keeping, breeding and sale of dogs.

Tell the Authorised Officer where you found the ad, we assist all authorised agencies with information about ads, breeds, contact details, and any other information that helps their investigation.

What We Do

• We monitor 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 animal welfare organisations find new homes for a large number of dogs, cats, and other animals. If you work with a recognised welfare organisation, please contact us for information about how you can advertise and 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 competent authorities, ISPCA, An Gardai Siochana, PSNI, Government Agencies and Local Authorities with information about ads, breeds, contact details, and anything else that helps 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 animal welfare legislation in Ireland.
• We educate our visitors how to buy a pet and how to avoid unscrupulous breeders and dealers
• We encourage our customers to Adopt from an Animal Welfare organisation as a First Choice when considering getting a pet dog.

Dog Fighting

In Ireland, “Pit Bulls” are the breed of choice for dog fights. Although dog fighting is illegal in Ireland (The Protection of Animals Act 1911 as amended 1965), it is still unfortunately a significant problem in Ireland. Animal welfare (fighting, baiting, abuse. neglect etc.) is often designated as an ‘indicator crime’ and the correlation between abuse of animals and other forms of anti-social and criminal behaviour is well recognised. Pit Bulls that are used in fights are brutalised and abused and many are 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 find it unacceptable 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 or the ISPCA in the Republic of Ireland or the PSNI or Ulster SPCA in Northern Ireland.

Pit Bull Terriers

Dog fighters are the minority among pit bull owners. Pit bulls have gained a fearsome reputation among the general public due to negative media attention.

Pit Bulls or Related Breeds are not Allowed on DoneDeal.ie

Following investigation and discussion with relevant experts, we have determined as policy that Pit Bulls or related breeds cannot be advertised on DoneDeal.ie.

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.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers

Some breeds may be visually similar to the Pit Bull, for example the Staffordshire Bull Terrier or crosses and strains. 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. We do however allow our Animal Welfare Partners to advertise Staffordshire Bull Terriers for adoption.

Microchipping Services

The Veterinary Council of Ireland 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. Dogs advertised by Animal Welfare Groups for Adoption are already microchipped at the time of adoption. From time to time, welfare groups and Veterinary Practices run discounted microchipping events, these will be advertised on the DoneDeal site.

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 the sale of pups before this age is not recommended by veterinary surgeons.

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.

No Stud Dogs / Bitches in Season

Given the number of dogs in Local Authority pounds and rescue centers seeking adoption, we have decided at this time not to allow the advertisement of dogs for stud or bitches in season.

No “Christmas Pets”

To promote responsible pet care, and to deter ‘impulse purchases’, we do not allow the advertisement of pets specifically for Christmas. We believe that it is essential that consumers make informed decisions, understanding the long term responsibilities involved in pet ownership. Therefore ads must not contain any references that encourage people to buy a pet specifically for Christmas.

No “Swaps” to be offered in Dogs Section

We do not feel it is appropriate to swap a dog for another dog or similar. To promote responsible pet ownership we will remove any ads that do this. If you feel you cannot care for your pet any longer please take a look in our Adoption Centre to see if there is a Rescue centre near you that might re-home your pet for you or place an ad for sale in our Dogs Section

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 or delivery of animals.

No Killing Prey

Unfortunately there is still illegal hunting of wild animals carried out in Ireland. Those responsible for these crimes believe it is acceptable to inflict untold suffering on dogs and wildlife in the form of entertainment. Therefore we do not accept ads that imply that the dog could/should be used for such activity. We do not accept ads that mention or imply ‘digging; or ‘lamping’. 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 in breach of this policy.

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 unlicensed coursing events, we have decided not to allow any reference to coursing.  This is to ensure that the above Wildlife Act is adhered to.

No Guard or Security Dogs 

Ownership and registration of Guard or Security Dogs are covered by the Control of Dogs act 1986 (guard dogs) Regulations 1988  You can read more here:

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1989/en/si/0329.html

As we have no way of monitoring registered or unregistered Guard or Security Dogs, so we have decided not to allow the sale of Guard or Security Dogs on the site.  This is to ensure that the above Wildlife Act is adhered to.

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 pets that breach our Dog Policy.

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.

Thank You for Your Support

*Exceptions can apply within our Rescue section

Click HERE to view all our Legal Policies.