All around NZ, there are people breeding cats, dogs, and other animals for profit. They don't care about the welfare of the animals, they're simply using them to make a quick buck.

Backyard breeding is a major issue in NZ, and Trade Me is enabling it by allowing these animals to be sold on their site. Trade Me simply do not care - they are happy for the listings as it adds to their profits.

The vast majority of these animals are sold undesexed, sure some of the new owners will get themdesexed but many won't. They've forked out $200/$300/$400+ for an undesexed unvaccinated animal - many of them will then breed their new pets to make their own $$. Guess who picks up the pieces from all these backyard breeders... rescues!

To list an animal on Trade Me, this is a field sellers either tick or don't:

I confirm I have read the full Animal Welfare Code and the animal I am listing meets the Code's requirements

Trade Me does no checks to confirm that a seller ticking that box is actually complying with the Code's requirements, so most sellers tick it knowing they won't be questioned. 

The sheer number of baby animals being born every year is out of control. Animals are suffering. Trade Me needs to stop allowing innocent animals to be sold on their site. Remove this avenue from the backyard breeders - make it harder for them to sell the animals they breed. If they can't sell them, they will hopefully stop!

NOTE: To clarify, it's backyard breeders we want Trade Me to stop allowing on their site. We don't want to remove this avenue from rescues and people rehoming their pets - so long as they're desexed.