*A letter from me to Craigslist support on 11/8/22 — https://sfbay.craigslist.org/contact*
Hello,
I’ve been a fan of your website for decades now. I’m reaching out because I know that Craigslist is a small team and will listen, and believe that Craig himself is fond of animal welfare.
I know there are rules in place, banning the sale of animals on your site, but it’s been evident for years that animal transactions continue to take place here. The prices are usually hidden and the terminology is more discreet. A simple search for “dog” in the Community section, generates hundreds of results.
Our local animal shelter, Austin Pets Alive, has been inundated with dogs for years now, and it breaks my heart that adoptions are never enough, even in our growing city.
I believe the proliferation of puppy mills, and pets for profit is enabled by the avenues they are sold through. Decades ago, pets were sold in the newspaper classifieds and today, maybe social media. But I checked Facebook Marketplace and couldn’t find pets for sale. This leads me to believe that Craigslist is still a major avenue for pet sales in the USA.
I’d like for the sales of pets and the discreet transfer of them, to be slowed down and stopped on Craigslist. I’ve always respected Craigslist for being a bastion of the original internet, and feel they would consider stopping these sales and do the right thing.
For all of the adoption drives held at our local shelter, I’m surprised I haven’t heard of more systemic contributors to the issue of pet proliferation. I believe Craigslist is one major enabler here, but that it can be stopped before it grows or becomes more of an issue.
Thank you,
Erwin C.
