In their most recent response to my petition, Kijiji says it has no plans to stop selling animals on its site despite a nine-year-long campaign, 455,000 signers, 8 major corporations and 31 animal welfare organizations against the practice. “We are always receptive to valuable feedback offered by our user community and business partners. We recognize the important role that pets play in the lives of Canadians, and Kijiji is dedicated to helping to ensure that the rehoming of them is done safely. [...] We will be continuing to work with animal welfare organizations to keep the safety of our site and the Pets community a top priority,” Kijiji Canada said in a statement.

This is an inadequate response, and many of you agree, like Shelley C. from Ottawa who said: "This is lip service at best! Shame on you Kijiji! The only way you will ensure the welfare of animals is to STOP having people post them on your platform. Rescues and shelters with QUALIFIED people who can match people with pets should be the ONLY option to rehome animals. As long as you continue to allow people to use your platform to dump their animals you are contributing to the animal abuse and neglect problem."  Dianna T. of Surrey adds:  "When dealing with 'rehoming' of animals, a certified registry should be involved - not a bargain platform for renting homes or the selling off of household goods." 

I shared these testimonials along with your 15,808 petition comments with Mr. Kent Sikstrom, Community Relations Manager at Kijiji Canada, some of which are particularly troubling and reveal gaps in the control exercised by Kijiji Canada over the content of its classified ads. Will see what he will respond.

I have also reminded Kijiji of their statement posted on their website ¨We chose to work with the industry to provide a safe channel for this [Pets Category], rather than the easy solution, which is to close the section – driving traffic to another website that might not care at all.” There is a safer channel to buy animals in Quebec: this website (https://web.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/bh/etablissements-sous-permis) maintained by Quebec’s Ministry of Agriculture, lists breeders, pet stores, animal pounds and shelters licensed under the Animal Protection Act. This government website may not guarantee that breeders listed are conscientious, but it provides more protection to buyers than if they were to get an animal on Kijiji since these establishments have licenses and can be easily traced if problems occur. Moreover, it allows for the Quebec government to make these breeders responsible and to comply with a certain standard of care, to inspect them, or even sanction them — all of which Kijiji cannot do.

If Kijiji is truly committed to prioritizing animal welfare like they say, then they should have no problem referring Quebec buyers to a regulated government website and closing their Pets Category in Quebec.

Will you help me make sure our request is a success by posting on Kijij's Facebook wall and Twitter right now, so they know others are watching?

If Kijiji.ca sees that it's not just me, but that you and others are watching as well, I'm hopeful that they will consider our request to become our allies in the fight against puppy mills and bad breeders, starting with the province of Quebec.

From me, and from all the pets and future pet guardians out there that we are doing this for, thank you for your continued support!

Barbara La Pointe