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This page is run by the Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) which was created in 2001 to combat growing concerns regarding the irresponsible advertising of pets for sale, rehoming, and exchange.
☀ Today is the summer bank holiday! ☀
On this summer day off, though our reptile pets will be loving the heat, other pets including dogs will need to be kept nice and cool 💧. Our member organisation Dogs Trust have made some top tips for keeping dogs cool on hot days. Check it out here:
Keep your dog happy and healthy in warm weather with our advice for safe fun in the sun.
🤔 Did you know? 🤔
The African Grey is one of the most intelligent bird species! 🐦 They are capable of learning over 1,000 words and they can learn to speak in context. It has been said that they have the mental and emotional capacities of a 5-year-old child! 😱
To learn more about African Grey’s and their care needs, check out our top tips here: https://paag.org.uk/how-to-buy-a-pet/birds/
You may have heard about our PAAG Advertising Standards, but did you know that some of our standards are enshrined in law? In England, Scotland, and Wales, licensed sellers must:
👮 Include their breeding license number on the advert,
👮 Specify the local authority that issued the licence,
👮 Include a recognisable photograph of the animal being advertised (for cats and dogs only in Scotland),
👮 (except in the case of fish) display the age of the animal being advertised,
👮 State which country the animal is being sold from, and
👮 State the country of origin of the animal.
We look forward to the day the UK and devolved Government enshrine all of our standards in law. For more information, check out the full list of standards here:
The Pet Advertising Advisory Group is pleased that Regulations in England, Scotland and Wales have made certain PAAG Advertising Standards legal requirements for licensed sellers. In England, Scotland and Wales, licensed sellers must now, by law:
Are you thinking of getting a new pet? Watch out for these red flags! ⬇
🚩 Are they too young to leave the breeder?
🚩 Is there a picture of the young animal with their mother?
🚩 Have they been mutilated in some way?
🚩 Are they living in dirty cramped conditions?
🚨 If something feels wrong, report the ad 🚨
Whilst looking at online pet adverts, perhaps in search of a new addition to your family, or merely out of interest, if you come across an advert that concerns you, we urge you to report it! Reporting concerning adverts is a crucial step in cracking down on unscrupulous breeders and dealers.
🧡🐶Today is National Spoil your dog day!🐶🧡
Whilst we don’t recommend over-feeding your pooches, here at PAAG, we’ll be spoiling our pets with endless kisses and cuddles!
How will you be spoiling your dog today? Let us know below! ⬇
Have you seen an advert for an animal, and something didn’t look right? Report it.
By reporting bad adverts, you are doing your part to make sure pets are advertised legally and ethically. 🐱
More information on how to report an advert can be found here: https://paag.org.uk/report-an-advert/
Turtles vs Tortoise – what's the difference? 🤔
Though the two are often confused, a notable difference between the two is that turtles spend most of their time in the ocean or near the water, whereas tortoises much prefer land.
Turtle or tortoise, if you are considering getting any reptile, check out our top tips! https://paag.org.uk/how-to-buy-a-pet/reptiles/
PAAG works with the largest online marketplaces in the UK to ensure that animals advertised for sale are done so legally and ethically. With the help of our Advertising Standards, we support classified ad websites in distinguishing appropriate adverts from those that should be removed or amended.
More information on the history and work of PAAG can be found on our website: https://paag.org.uk/about-paag/
Whilst you're looking for your new companion, think PETS:
🏠Place: is the place where you live suitable?
🤸♂️Exercise: how much physical and mental exercise can you provide?
⏰ Time: how much time will you be willing to devote to your new pet?
💰 Spend: can you afford the lifetime expense, including unexpected costs?
PAAG works with the largest online marketplaces in the UK to ensure that animals advertised for sale are done so legally and ethically. With the help of our Advertising Standards, we support classified ad websites in distinguishing appropriate adverts from those that should be removed or amended.
More information on the history and work of PAAG can be found on our website: https://paag.org.uk/about-paag/
Did you know...
Geckos have a similar lifespan to dogs! 🦎
Some species that are popular as pets, such as Leopard geckos, have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. The oldest gecko was recorded to be 27 years old!
At PAAG, we’ve a list of things to check before you buy a gecko and a calculator to help you consider the financial impact.
You can check it out here:
Did you know that tortoises can live for many decades? So be prepared for a long-term relationship with your new pet! It’s important to read up on proper feeding regimes because some need food supplements to ensure they get the right nutrients for their bones. You’ll also need to have the right ...
Did you know it could cost you up to £409 a month to care for a Bernese Mountain Dog? 😱
Our member organisation RSPCA has released a pet cost calculator so that you can consider the financial impact of a cat or dog.
Check it out here:
Thinking of getting a pet? Find out the breakdown cost of different cat and dog breeds.
🎉 Congratulations to all the new MPs! 🎉
We look forward to working with each of you to ensure that all pets are advertised ethically and responsibly, and to cracking down on unscrupulous breeders.
Thinking about getting a cat? Make sure you don’t fall for these common scams ⚠️
🚨 Sellers offering to post on medical or pedigree paperwork to you after you have left.
🚨 Sellers offering to meet you ‘halfway’ to save you a journey. They probably just don’t want you to know where they live!
🚨 Sellers advertising “pedigree” cats with no evidence that the cat is registered with a Governing body (such as registration papers).
🚨 Sellers claiming that the kitten must be sold that day as they (the seller) are going away on holiday or for a family emergency. This is a tactic to put pressure on the buyer.
🚨 Many kittens are advertised as “pedigree crosses”. Due to the kittens mixed parentage the kittens are “moggies” (non purebred).
For more information on getting a cat, check out our top tips here:
Typically cats live for around 14 years, but some can live beyond the age of 20. Consider carefully whether a cat is a suitable pet for you and whether you can afford the estimated £12,000 lifetime costs of care, including food and vets’ bills. There are essential cat care items like food, litter...
Did You Know? 🤔
Chickens need to live with at least two other chickens. 🐔🐔🐔 The best mix is a trio or more hens or a cockerel with two or more hens. Ideally avoid mixing birds of different sizes to avoid bullying.
To learn more on how to care for chickens, our page has some top tips you can check out here: https://paag.org.uk/how-to-buy-a-pet/chickens/
Our member organisation PDSA have published their 2024 PAW report! 🐶🐱🐰
This is an annual report that surveys pet dog, cat and rabbit owners, providing insight into animal welfare issues, estimating pet population numbers, and understanding how people care for their pets.
You can check it out here: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/what-we-do/pdsa-animal-wellbeing-report/paw-report-2024?alias=pawreport2024
The PAW Report 2024
Here at PAAG, we encourage you to report any adverts of pets that seem suspicious.
Our website has a list of places to report a concerning advert. Check them out here: https://paag.org.uk/report-an-advert/
☀️ Today is the Summer Solstice! ☀️
For us at PAAG, we plan on spending the day outside with pets enjoying the endless day!
How do you plan on spending the longest day of the year? Comment below! ⬇️
🐈📢 In Case You Missed It! From the 10th June 2024, it became a legal requirement that ALL cats in England must be microchipped before they reach 20 weeks of age.
It was already a legal requirement for all dogs over 8 weeks of age to be microchipped and registered by their breeder with a compliant database operator. These new rules bring cats in line, requiring them to be microchipped and registered on a database by 20 weeks of age.
We recommend that all dog and cat adverts state whether the animal is, or is due to be, microchipped. If an advert does not include this information, we would advise you to be extra cautious.
We’re happy to see the law reflect the importance of microchipping to protect against theft, loss and misleading sales.
For more advice on how to get a cat, visit our website:
Typically cats live for around 14 years, but some can live beyond the age of 20. Consider carefully whether a cat is a suitable pet for you and whether you can afford the estimated £12,000 lifetime costs of care, including food and vets’ bills. There are essential cat care items like food, litter...
🧡 Happy Father's Day to all the amazing dads out there!🧡
Did you know? 🤔 Whilst it is important to always see a puppy with their mum, make sure you still think about Dad! We recommend you ask sellers questions about the father's health. Certain health conditions are more common in certain breeds, so its parents should have relevant health screening certificates, showing the likelihood of the pups being affected.
If you would like more information on this topic, check out our ‘check before you buy’ information for companion animals:
Do you have a garden, or live near a local park? These are important considerations when thinking about getting a pet like a dog, which will need space to run around and play.
Thinking of getting a pet? Check out our top tips below ⬇
You can also see our full list of Advertising Standards here to ensure you buy from a reputable seller: https://paag.org.uk/advertising-standards/
Fun fact! 🤩
Rats are incredibly clever animals! 🐀 Despite rats being considered an unconventional pet, they form very strong bond with their owners, and enjoy learning tricks. It’s not uncommon for rats to be able to give their owners a high five!
If you are thinking about getting a pet rat, check out our page for more info: https://paag.org.uk/how-to-buy-a-pet/rats/
Are you thinking about adding a new friend to your family? Why not consider adopting a pet from a local animal shelter or rescue group rather than buying one! 🧡
Not only will you be providing a loving home to an animal in need, but adoption also helps reduce the number of animals in rehoming centres and give them a second chance in life. Plus, many rescues are up to date on vaccinations, spayed or neutered, and trained!
ADCH has a great list that can help you find your local rescue centre. You can check it out here: https://adch.org.uk/find-a-rescue/
Happy May Bank Holiday! Here at PAAG, we’re using our extra day off to spend time with our pets to give them some extra love.❤️
How will you be spending your extra day off? Comment below! ⬇
🐢Today is World Turtle Day!🐢
The turtle dates back more than 200 million years and has a varied diet depending on their environment. Land-dwelling turtles will eat beetles, fruit and grass, whereas sea dwellers will enjoy everything from algae to squid and jellyfish.
To learn more about turtles and their needs, check out our page here: https://paag.org.uk/how-to-buy-a-pet/reptiles/
Thinking of getting a pet? Though getting a new companion to your family can be very exciting, it is also a big responsibility and requires lifetime expenses.
Whilst you're looking for your new companion, think PETS:
🏠Place: is the place where you live suitable?
🤸♂️Exercise: how much physical and mental exercise can you provide?
⏰Time: how much time will you be willing to devote to your new pet?
💵Spend: can you afford the lifetime expense, including unexpected costs?
Would you know what to check before buying your pet? ⚠️
We're proud members of the Pet Advertising Advisory Group (How To Buy A Pet), a group committed to ensuring the advertising of pets online is done so legally and ethically.
Bringing a new pet into your home is a life-changing and exciting moment. But there are some steps to take and important checks to carry out before you make any impulse decisions 👇
Find out more here: http://pdsa.me/TovX
[Visual description: Infographic explaining 'what to check before you buy your pet'. Try an animal charity first. There are thousands of healthy, loving animals of all ages throughout the UK who need a home. Is it dangerous, wild or even endangered? Many dangerous, wild or exotic species need a licence and are for specialists. Check it will make a suitable pet. All animals have unique needs, research them well and work out lifetime costs of keeping them. See young animals with their mum. Are they old enough to leave her yet? By law, kittens and puppies can’t leave their mum until they’re eight weeks old. Report adverts for illegal breeds and beware of illegal imports. Pets that have been smuggled in may have a disease that affects their health and yours. When you visit the pet, make sure you ask about the animal’s health and family medical history. Beware of dodgy breeders.]
Did you know that we are made up of 26 full group members? Each organisation has specialist knowledge of a wide array of different animals.
This means that we can effectively ensure that all animals are getting the care they deserve when they are being advertised online.
You can see the list of our full group members here:
The Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) was created in 2001 to combat growing concerns regarding the irresponsible advertising of pets for sale, rehoming, and exchange. The Group comprises animal welfare organisations, trade associations and veterinary bodies. Defra, DAERA in Northern Ireland, the...
Thinking of selling a pet? Make sure your advert meets our Advertising Standards. This helps to keep animal welfare at the heart of the pet selling process. ❤
Our full list of Advertising Standards can be seen here: https://paag.org.uk/advertising-standards/
🤔Did you know that guinea pigs have more bones than humans?🤔
Adult humans have 206 bones whereas a guinea pig has 258! With the majority of their bones in their legs, it’s quite easy for them to break their legs from a fall, so it’s important that their enclosure has flat surface, and they stay on all-fours.
For more information for caring for guinea pigs, check out our advice here: https://paag.org.uk/how-to-buy-a-pet/guinea-pigs/
We are delighted that the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) has launched an update to the Good Practice Code for the Welfare of Rabbits!🐰🧡
We hope that these new materials will expand public awareness of animal welfare needs.
You can read our full article here:
PAAG is delighted that the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) has launched an update to the Good Practice Code for the Welfare of Rabbits under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, educating both current and potential owners on the welfare needs of rabbits. Under the Act, it is the own...
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Thank you Sarah Jones MP for sharing advice on how to buy a dog in Parliament last week 🐶 We always encourage people to check their local animal rescue/rehoming centre first, but if you do decide to buy a pet, please check out our guidance here ➡️ https://paag.org.uk/
To help avoid surprise vet bills always health check any animal you are planning to purchase. A legitimate seller should be happy to answer any questions you may have on the animal's medical history and will be able to provide all documentation.
If you visit an animal seller and something doesn’t seem right, walk away, and report it immediately to the Trading Standards department of the Local Authority where the seller is situated, who will be able to investigate. You can find this information here: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-trading-standards-office Sadly rescuing the animal only fuels the trade #HowToBuyAPet #DontRegretYourPet
Happy #NationalPetDay to all of our followers and their pets! 🥳 This National Pet Day we want to celebrate all of the fantastic animals which are currently waiting to be adopted into their forever homes. By rehoming from a rescue centre, you are giving an animal a second chance at a happy life. You can find your local dog or cat sanctuary here! 👇 https://adch.org.uk/find-a-rescue/
Please always consider rehoming. For example, if you decide to adopt a dog, the adoption cost can include such things as a full veterinary and behavioural assessment, microchipping, initial vaccinations, a collar, identification tag and lead. In most cases, your dog will also have been neutered or have an appointment arranged to do so. These costs represent a significant saving on the fees you could pay should you buy a dog from elsewhere.
Always ask about the health of your new pet. It’s important to understand and/or locate any health issues before you make any purchase. A common scam is sellers promising to post on medical or pedigree paperwork. Watch out for anything that may seem suspicious. ⬇
Never feel pressured or rushed into making any decision when it comes to taking on a new pet. Being pressured into making a purchase can be a cause for concern.
What tell-tale signs are there of possible welfare concerns? Particularly poor living conditions, animals in excessively small enclosures, chained or tied up, malnourished or injured pets can all be tell-tale signs of possible welfare issues. Always notify the website provider to alert them of your concerns and ask them to remove the advert until further investigation can take place. If in doubt, always contact the RSPCA, SSPCA or USPCA to set your mind at rest.
Animal sellers and commercial breeders require a licence for their activities. You can discover additional information about licensed sellers in your area by visiting the website of your Local Authority here: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council #HowToBuyAPet
When looking for a new pet, keep an eye out for the tell-tale signs of possible welfare issues, particularly: - Poor living conditions - Excessively small enclosures - Chained or tied up pets - Malnourishment or injuries If you have any welfare concerns or something doesn't seem right, walk away and immediately report it to the Trading Standards department of the Local Authority where the seller is situated, who will be able to investigate. You can find this information here: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-trading-standards-office If the advert is a serious animal welfare concern you can report it to RSPCA or SSPCA. To make sure you are reporting appropriately please read the RSPCA’s Reporting Cruelty Checklist: https://www.rspca.org.uk/utilities/contactus/reportcruelty/crueltychecklist Sadly rescuing the animal from these situations only fuels the trade #DontRegretYourPet
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