THE National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has welcomed the decision to ban the sales of donkeys and mules on Gumtree. In a statement recently, the online website said it would ban the sale of all donkeys and mules on the site, not just the hides and byproducts.

According to the NSPCA the move is a significant step towards the aim of having no live animals traded online.

“The NSPCA has motivated why advertising animals for sale (or “free to a good home”) is unethical. It gives a forum to dubious practices including backyard breeding, trading in wildlife and exotic animals as well as having no welfare component when advertisements are placed. Online advertising effectively treats animals as commodities, which they are not,” explained Christine Kuch of the NSPCA.

“It is a major step forward that Gumtree has taken and for this we support and thank them. They have taken the lead on this issue and deserve credit for recognising the implications and effect of Internet advertising of this kind. We call upon other web sites to follow this worthy lead and to widen this to include all animals.”