Ethics Statement

As a platform that allows dog lovers to place ads for dogs for sale, stud and adoption, we believe that it is of the utmost importance to prioritise the ethical treatment and responsible ownership of dogs. We understand the concerns surrounding the sale of dogs and the potential for unethical practices. However, we firmly believe that when done responsibly and with proper guidelines in place, the sale/stud and adoption of dogs can be ethical and safe for several reasons.

Responsibilities

Responsible Breeding:

We promote responsible breeding practices, encouraging breeders to prioritise the health and well-being of the dogs they breed. We advocate for breeders who prioritise genetic health testing, proper socialisation, and providing a nurturing environment for their dogs. By facilitating the sale of dogs from responsible breeders, we help ensure that puppies are raised in a loving and healthy environment.

Adoption Alternatives:

In addition to enabling the sale of dogs, we also advocate for adoption from shelters and rescue organisations. We provide a dedicated section on our platform where shelters and rescues can advertise dogs available for adoption for free. By highlighting adoption alternatives, we encourage potential buyers to consider giving a loving home to a dog in need.

Furthermore, we aim to donate 100% of all profits generated through our adoption section by non welfare organisations to our dog charity partners.

Education and Responsible Ownership:

We believe that many dogs who end up being placed for adoption do so due to a mismatch between the dog’s wants and the needs of their owners. As such we have built a dog suitability quiz which aims to match potential owner’s preferences with suitable breeds for them to research further before they begin viewing dogs for sale. We prioritise education about responsible dog ownership. Through our platform, we provide resources, guidelines, and educational content to help potential buyers make informed decisions and understand the responsibilities associated with owning a dog. We promote spaying/neutering,
vaccination protocols, proper training, and the importance of providing a loving and suitable environment for dogs.

Access to Information:

Our platform provides a space where sellers can provide detailed information about the dogs they are offering for sale. This transparency allows potential buyers to make informed decisions, understanding the breed characteristics, health history, and temperament of the dog they are interested in. We encourage sellers to provide accurate and honest information, helping to prevent any misleading or fraudulent practices.

Screening and Verification:

We implement screening and verification processes to ensure that sellers on our platform meet certain standards. We require sellers to provide relevant documentation, such as microchip numbers, vaccination history, and registration papers, where applicable. By vetting sellers and confirming the legitimacy of their claims, we aim to prevent the sale of dogs from disreputable sources or puppy farms.

While every ad that appears will be in compliance with governing legislation, we know that ethically that’s the bare minimum and alone is far from enough. As such, we’d like to trial a community driven approach to ethical breeding. Spot something odd with an ad or have a tip about an unethical breeder who may have slipped through the net? Flag the ad and please let us know. It is only together as a community of dog lovers that we can make a change. Why can’t we hold each other accountable and promote high standards through constructive feedback and education?

Some of our safety measures include the following:

Every ad is legally compliant;
Each ad is manually reviewed prior to publishing;
Each for sale ad must contain a picture of the dam;
No user may post more than two for sale ads in any one year;
We just cannot condone or justify establishments that allow dogs the space and environment to live but lack the care and affection to thrive;
We reserve the right to refuse ads published by anyone who has been convicted of any animal related offence; and
We have a report ad function where users can alert us to anything suspect that may have slipped through the net or that we should be made aware of.

By emphasising responsible breeding practices, transparency, education, and adoption alternatives, we aim to ensure that the sale, stud and adoption of dogs through our platform is conducted in an ethical manner. Our goal in these sections is to create a space where reputable breeders and responsible buyers can connect and dogs who have been offered up for adoption can be offered a second chance at love and happiness. We will always promote the welfare and well-being of dogs while upholding the highest ethical standards.

If you’re persevered this far then many thanks for your time and please feel free to get in touch with any concerns, feedback or questions you may have as we are always looking for ways we can improve.

Dogstop.ie

Contact Information

Email: info@dogstop.ie