Craigslist has become a place where abused, neglected, and sick animals are being sold or abandoned. As an avid animal rights advocate and volunteer, I have seen countless examples first hand. Countless animal rights and welfare groups, myself included, have flagged these posted for removal only to see them remain active or reappear. It is time to take action and demand Craigslist end these postings once and for all. 

The sites' terms and agreements states an animal being "adopted-out" cannot be sold, bought, or traded. There are also suppose to be moderators checking for violations of Craigslist's policies. Both have failed. Time and time again people looking out for the welfare of these animals find inaction and the ability for violators to continue to use Craigslist. We are calling on Craigslist to impose a mandatory link allowing users to contact local animal care and control to report animal abuse such as neglect, puppy milling, breeding without licenses, and dog fighting to name a few.

If Craigslist would add this extra level of protection for animals we would see a dramatic drop in animal abuse posts. The threat of being directly reported to the authorities would make violators less likely to want to pay the legal price for breaking the law. Countless animals would be spared a life of misery and ending up being euthanized.

Failure to act will cost animal lives, the taxpayers more money to fund animal care and control, and force those who work to everyday to help animals to organize the only possible next step: termination of the "Pets" category.

I am asking the public to take a stand for those whom cannot speak for themselves, and the ones who will never again be able to be saved. Together we can make a difference. I hope that my petition tugs on heart strings, and don't ever be afraid to report an incident of suspected animal abuse, because you could be saving a life.