Stop Listing Animals on Gumtree and Trading Post

Online marketplace platforms such as Gumtree and Trading Post enable people looking to abuse animals and dodgy breeders looking to make a quick buck. For years we've heard of these platforms being used as a source of animals for dog-fighting circles. More recently, we've seen more sinister behaviour taking advantage of platforms like these – in the NT, Adam Britton pleaded guilty to charges of animal cruelty offences including bestiality after sourcing "free to good home" animals.

Quite often animals are offered for free and for sale without required microchips and, while sellers must sign animal welfare waivers, there is nothing stopping someone from using fake names and contact details. It's time to prohibit listings that promote the buying or selling of animals from general online marketplace platforms such as Gumtree and Trading Post – and move that trade onto platforms built with animal welfare checks in place.