Omelyanovskaya from Demands from politicians: “The traffic light coalition urgently needs to implement the projects agreed in the coalition agreement. Animal suffering can only be prevented by introducing mandatory, nationwide labeling and registration as well as a complete identity check on all online platforms.”
Around 19,000 puppy ads online every month – French Bulldogs, Chihuahuas, Pomeranians and Labradors very popular
Animal shelters throughout Germany have long since reached their capacity limits. Many animals, including so-called corona dogs, which were bought carelessly during the pandemic, are eagerly awaiting a new home there. At the same time, a particularly large number of dogs were again offered for sale via online platforms in 2022. was able to count an average of around 19,000 puppy ads per month simultaneously on the three largest German online platforms Ebay classifieds, Quoka and Deine Fauna. Particularly popular last year (in descending order): French bulldogs, Chihuahuas and Pomeranians along with Labradors.
Puppy prices on online platforms consistently high – top price of 10,000 euros per animal discovered
In particular, trend breeds are offered at prices of several thousand euros per animal on classifieds portals: according to , prices between 2,000 and 5,500 euros per puppy were often called for in 2022. At the end of the year, the animal protection organization was also able to document an offer price of 10,000 euros for a puppy of the French bulldog breed on Dein Tier. Such an extremely high price can possibly be explained by a rare coat or eye color. Criminal dealers have long since adapted to the market and sell dogs from illegal trade at high prices. They use the great interest in puppies and the ignorance of some buyers to offer cute pictures and false information about young and sometimes terminally ill animals from abroad via unregulated online platforms.
In 2022, 236 suspected cases of illegal puppy trade were reported to the Global Animal Welfare Foundation via the reporting tool. Those affected and witnesses to cases of illegal trade in puppies can report here. Compared to the previous year, the number of reported cases has remained at a similarly high level (257 cases were reported via the tool in 2021). Around 65 percent of all cases reported via the tool related to online trading. This number supports that classifieds platforms and social media are the main sales channels for illegally trafficked puppies. The anonymity makes the illegal business with the puppies extremely lucrative, because the criminal dealers only have to expect criminal prosecution in the rarest of cases.