NSPCA applauds move to ban animal advertising
“Gumtree has decided to ban the sale of all donkeys and mules on the site, not just the hides and byproducts. We hope that this will play a small part in reducing animal cruelty.”
THE National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has applauded online advertising site, Gumtree, for stepping in to help to curb animal cruelty.
This comes after advertisements for the sale of donkeys and mules on the site were banned. Christine Kuch from NSPCA said: “Gumtree has decided to ban the sale of all donkeys and mules on the site, not just the hides and byproducts. We hope that this will play a small part in reducing animal cruelty.”
Kuch said this was a significant step towards the society’s ultimate aim of having no live animals traded online. “Gumtree is applauded and this undertaking is appreciated.”
“It is a meaningful step in the prevention of cruelty to animals and the protection of them by removing a specific market or forum for those who trade in them or their parts,” she said.
“Online advertising effectively treats animals as commodities, which they are not. The donkey skin issue has brought the matter to the fore. It is a major step forward that Gumtree has taken and for this we support and thank them. They have taken the lead on this issue and deserve credit for recognising the implications and effect of Internet advertising of this kind,” said Kuch.
She said the NSPCA called on other websites to follow this lead and to widen it to include all animals.
