We have put together the resource below to help pet selling websites to understand what information should be included in a pet advert. By including this information, those looking for a pet will be less likely to be scammed by bad sellers.
Websites should require anybody advertising a pet for sale to add the following information to the advert.
Standardised fields
- Private
- Licensed
- Licence number and licensing authority should also be supplied
- Rescue
- Optional for rescues rehoming: Sociability/friendliness - This could be represented as a scale 1 = limited human contact preferred, to 5 = extremely friendly
Insert country of residence
Insert country of origin
Insert breed information
- Long-haired
- Short-haired
- None
- GCCG
- TICA
- Felis Britannica
- Male
- Female
Breeders to include a recognisable photo of young animals with their mother
Insert age
- Yes
- No
- Fully vaccinated
- Details of the product used and date applied should also be required
- Partially vaccinated
- Detals of the product used and date applied should also be required
- Awaiting first vaccine
- Yes
- Product used and date applied should also be required
- No
- Yes
- Product used and date applied should also be required
- No
Breed-specific, buyers encouraged to check https://icatcare.org/advice/cat-breeds to find out more.
- Yes
- No
Optional supporting wording: ‘The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) promotes responsible pet advertising to help protect animal welfare. That’s why [website] works to ensure our adverts meet PAAG’s Minimum Standards. If you spot an advert that does not meet these standards, please report the advert to [website] and we will take action. Find more information on buying your pet here.’
- Yes
- No
N.b. Yes - must be yes if under 8 weeks/no - if hand reared or over 8 weeks
- In the home
- Outdoor pen
- Indoor pen
- Yes
- No
- Reared with siblings
- Reared with other animals (specify)
- Raised with children (specify age)
- Unknown
Specify
- Accepts returns
- Does not accept returns
- Private
- Licensed
- Licence number and Licensing authority should also be supplied
- Rescue
Insert country of residence
Insert country of origin
Insert breed here
- Male
- Female
Breeders should include a recognisable photo of young animals with their mother
Insert age here
- Small
- Medium
- Large
- Yes
- No
- Alternative Regsitration (specify)
- Yes
- No
- Will be by 8 weeks
N.b. It is a legal requirement for all dogs over 8 weeks of age to be microchipped and registered to their breeder; then for the new owner to transfer the chip to their details
- Yes
- No
N.b. Puppies cannot legally be imported under the age of 15 weeks. A red flag should be triggered if a puppy below 15 weeks is listed as having a passport
- Yes
- No
- Reared with siblings
- Reared with other animals (specify)
- Raised with children (specify age)
- Unknown
- Adult only
- Any age
- Primary school age
- Secondary school age
- Yes
- Details of the product used and date applied should also be required
- No
- Yes
- Details of the product used and date applied should also be required
- No
- Fully vaccinated
- Details of the product used and date applied should also be required
- Partially vaccinated
- Detals of the product used and date applied should also be required
- Awaiting first vaccine
- Healthy
- Health issues
- Free text for further information
- Breed suffers from inherited problems
- Free text for further information
- Dog health/DNA tested
- Free text for further information
- Mother healthy
- Father healthy
- Mother/Father have had surgical procedures to correct features that could be inherited by the puppy
- Dog health/DNA tested
- Free text for further information
Link to Kennel Club's Breed A-Z
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No
Supporting text: ‘The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) promotes responsible pet advertising to help protect animal welfare. That’s why [website] works to ensure our adverts meet PAAG’s Minimum Standards. If you spot an advert that does not meet these standards, please report the advert to [website] and we will take action. Find more information on buying your pet here.’
Buyers should be encouraged to enter information about the dog's temperament and level of training here
Specify
- Accepts returns
- Does not accept returns
- Private
- Commercial
- Rescue
Nearest town or the county where the equine can be viewed
Insert country of origin
Insert breed information
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- Foreign POI
- UK PIO
- No
Sub question (if yes)
Owner details up to date:
- Yes
- No
Include link to DEFRA Horse passport website
- Stallion
- Mare
- Gelding
Ideally for equines photos should be of the front and both sides
Insert age
Insert height
- Yes
- No
If yes,
Microchip registered with PIO?
- Yes
- Microchip number
- No
Include link to Central Equine Database
- Beginner
- Novice
- Intermediate
- Experienced
- Hack
- Eventer
- Dressage
- Show jumper
- Hunter
- Companion
- Driven
- Other
- Free text for further information
- led
- Backed
- Novice
- Experienced
- Elite
- Free text for further information
Free text for description
- Yes
- Free text for results
- No
- Yes
- Product used and date given will be required
- No
- Yes
- Product used and date given should be required
- No
- Yes
- Product used and date given should be required
- No
- Healthy
- Health issues
- Free text for further information
Supporting text: ‘The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) promotes responsible pet advertising to help protect animal welfare. That’s why [website] works to ensure our adverts meet PAAG’s Minimum Standards. If you spot an advert that does not meet these standards, please report the advert to [website] and we will take action. Find more information on buying your pet here.’
Specify
- Accepts returns
- Does not accept returns
- Private
- Licensed
- Licence number and licensing authority should be supplied
- Rescue
Insert country of residence
Insert country of origin
Insert breed information
- Male
- Female
Breeders should include a recognisable photo of young animals with their mother
Insert age
- Yes
- No
Insert passport status
- Vaccinated within past 12 months
- Unvaccinated
- Too young
- Yes
- No
Report button alongside wording e.g. ‘The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) promotes responsible pet advertising to help protect animal welfare. That’s why [website] works to ensure our adverts meet PAAG’s Minimum Standards. If you spot an advert that does not meet these standards, please report the advert to [website] and we will take action. Find more information on buying your pet here.’
Specify
- Accepts returns
- Does not accept returns
- Private
- Licensed
- The license number and licensing authority should also be supplied
- Rescue
Insert country of residence
Insert country of origin
Insert species
An image of the group of fish or fish in the tank would be acceptable
Supporting text: ‘The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) promotes responsible pet advertising to help protect animal welfare. That’s why [website] works to ensure our adverts meet PAAG’s Minimum Standards. If you spot an advert that does not meet these standards, please report the advert to [website] and we will take action. Find more information on buying your pet here.’
It should be made clear to sellers and buyers that it is an offence to offer a species covered by GB Wildlife Trade Regulations Annex A and listed by CITES for sale without a valid Article 10 Certificate.
- Wild caught
- Captive bred
- Not known
Specify
- Accepts returns
- Does not accept returns
- Private
- Licensed
- Licence Number and Licensing Authority should be supplied
- Rescue
Insert country of residence
Insert country of origin
Insert breed information
- Male
- Female
Breeders to include a recognisable photo of young animals with their mother
Insert age
- Yes
- No
- Fully vaccinated
- Details of the product used and date applied should also be required
- Partially vaccinated
- Detals of the product used and date applied should also be required
- Awaiting first vaccine
- Yes
- No
- Adult only
- Any age
- Primary school age
- Secondary school age
Optional supporting text: ‘The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) promotes responsible pet advertising to help protect animal welfare. That’s why [website] works to ensure our adverts meet PAAG’s Minimum Standards. If you spot an advert that does not meet these standards, please report the advert to [website] and we will take action. Find more information on buying your pet here.’
Specify
- Accepts returns
- Does not accept returns
- Private
- Licensed
- Licence number and licensing authority should be supplied
- Rescue
Insert country of residence
Insert country of origin
Include details on the breed/variety
- Male
- Female
N.b. Chinchilla breeders should include a recognisable picture of the young animals with their mother
Insert age
- Yes
- No
Optional supporting wording: ‘The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) promotes responsible pet advertising to help protect animal welfare. That’s why [website] works to ensure our adverts meet PAAG’s Minimum Standards. If you spot an advert that does not meet these standards, please report the advert to [website] and we will take action. Find more information on buying your pet here.’
Specify
- Accepts returns
- Does not accept returns
Standardised fields for exotic pets
Insert species information
- Private
- Licensed
- Licence number and licensing authority should also be supplied
- Rescue
Insert country of residence
Insert country of origin
Where Annex A-listed
- Male
- Female
- Unknown
Insert a recognisable photo of the individual(s) for sale
Insert age information if known.
If unknown:
- Neonate (results in advert being stopped)
- Juvenile
- Adult
Optional field for microchip/leg ring number
- Wild caught
- Captive bred
- Unknown
- Hand reared
- Parent reared
- Long-term captive
- Ranched
- Farmed
Report button alongside wording e.g. ‘The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) promotes responsible pet advertising to help protect animal welfare. That’s why [website] works to ensure our adverts meet PAAG’s Minimum Standards. If you spot an advert that does not meet these standards, please report the advert to [website] and we will take action. Find more information on buying your pet here.’
Information regarding wild-caught/captive: Wild-caught animals can experience more health and welfare problems than captive-bred, due to the stress of capture, transport and adapting to captivity.
Specify
- Accepts returns
- Does not accept returns
Insert species information
- Private
- Licensed
- Licence number and licensing authority information should also be supplied
- Rescue
Insert country of residence information
Insert country of origin
Where Annex A-listed
- Male
- Female
- Unknown
Include a recognisable photo of the individual(s) for sale
- Age if known (this is the default option)
- Unknown
If unknown:
- Neonate (results in advert being stopped)
- Juvenile
- Adult
Optional field for microchip/leg ring number
- Wild caught
- Captive bred
- Not known
- Hand reared
- Parent reared
- Long-term captive
- Ranched
- Farmed
Report button alongside wording e.g. ‘The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) promotes responsible pet advertising to help protect animal welfare. That’s why [website] works to ensure our adverts meet PAAG’s Minimum Standards. If you spot an advert that does not meet these standards, please report the advert to [website] and we will take action. Find more information on buying your pet here.’
Information regarding wild-caught/captive: Wild-caught animals can experience more health and welfare problems than captive-bred, due to the stress of capture, transport and adapting to captivity.
Specify
- Accepts returns
- Does not accept returns
Please note, PAAG members who specialise in exotic species have recommended that these species are not suitable for sale on classified sites
Insert species information
- Private
- Licensed
- Licence number and licensing authority information should also be supplied
- Rescue
Insert country of residence
Insert country of origin
Where Annex A-listed
- Male
- Female
- Unknown
Include a recognisable photo of the individual(s) for sale
- Age if known (this is the default option)
- Unknown
If unknown:
- Neonate (results in advert being stopped)
- Juvenile
- Adult
Optional field for microchip/leg ring number
- Wild caught
- Captive bred
- Not known
- Hand reared
- Parent reared
- Long-term captive
- Ranched
- Farmed
Report button alongside wording e.g. ‘The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) promotes responsible pet advertising to help protect animal welfare. That’s why [website] works to ensure our adverts meet PAAG’s Minimum Standards. If you spot an advert that does not meet these standards, please report the advert to [website] and we will take action. Find more information on buying your pet here.’
Information regarding wild-caught/captive: Wild-caught animals can experience more health and welfare problems than captive-bred, due to the stress of capture, transport and adapting to captivity.
Specify
- Accepts returns
- Does not accept returns
Insert species information
- Private
- Licensed
- Licence number and licensing authority information should also be supplied
- Rescue
Insert country of residence
Insert country of origin
Where Annex A-listed
- Male
- Female
- Unknown
Include a recognisable photo of the individual(s) for sale
- Age if known
- Unknown
If unknown:
-
Neonate (results in advert being stopped
-
Juvenile
-
Adult
Optional field
- Wild caught
- Captive bred
- Not known
- Long-term captive
- Ranched
- Farmed
Report button alongside wording e.g. ‘The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) promotes responsible pet advertising to help protect animal welfare. That’s why [website] works to ensure our adverts meet PAAG’s Minimum Standards. If you spot an advert that does not meet these standards, please report the advert to [website] and we will take action. Find more information on buying your pet here.’
Specify
- Accepts returns
- Does not accept returns
Insert species information
- Private
- Licensed
- Licence number and licensing authority should also be supplied
- Rescue
Insert country of residence
Insert country of origin
Where Annex A-listed
- Male
- Female
Include a recognisable photo of the individual(s) for sale
- Age if known
- Unknown
If unknown:
-
Neonate (results in advert being stopped
-
Juvenile
-
Adult
Optional field
- Wild caught
- Captive bred
- Not known
- Hand reared
- Parent reared
Report button alongside wording e.g. ‘The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) promotes responsible pet advertising to help protect animal welfare. That’s why [website] works to ensure our adverts meet PAAG’s Minimum Standards. If you spot an advert that does not meet these standards, please report the advert to [website] and we will take action. Find more information on buying your pet here.’
Specify
- Accepts returns
- Does not accept returns
Insert species information
- Private
- Licensed
- Licence number and licensing authority should also be supplied
- Rescue
Insert country of residence
Insert country of origin
Where Annex A-listed
- Male
- Female
- Unknown
Include a recognisable photo of the individual(s) for sale
- Age if known
- Unknown
If unknown:
-
Neonate (results in advert being stopped
-
Juvenile
-
Adult
- Wild caught
- Captive bred
- Not known
- Long-term captive
- Ranched
- Farmed
Report button alongside wording e.g. ‘The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) promotes responsible pet advertising to help protect animal welfare. That’s why [website] works to ensure our adverts meet PAAG’s Minimum Standards. If you spot an advert that does not meet these standards, please report the advert to [website] and we will take action. Find more information on buying your pet here.’
Specify
- Accepts returns
- Does not accept returns
Insert species information
- Private
- Licensed
- Licence number and licensing authority should also be supplied
- Rescue
Insert country of residence
Insert country of origin
Where Annex A-listed
- Male
- Female
- Unknown
Include a recognisable photo of the individual(s) for sale
- Age if known
- Unknown
If unknown:
-
Neonate (results in advert being stopped
-
Juvenile
-
Adult
- Wild caught
- Captive bred
- Not known
Report button alongside wording e.g. ‘The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) promotes responsible pet advertising to help protect animal welfare. That’s why [website] works to ensure our adverts meet PAAG’s Minimum Standards. If you spot an advert that does not meet these standards, please report the advert to [website] and we will take action. Find more information on buying your pet here.’
Specify
- Accepts returns
- Does not accept returns