: The onset of the pandemic saw a surge in pet acquisition costs; pre-pandemic, only 16% of dogs cost more than $2,000, but by late 2022, that figure rose to 34%. Critical Risks and "Red Flags"

: Platforms range from community classifieds like Gumtree and Trading Post to specialized sites like Pets4Homes .

The anonymity of the internet allows irresponsible breeders to operate with little oversight, often leading to poor breeding practices or outright fraud.

: Research indicates that online advertisements are now the most common way people find pets.

As selling pets online becomes normal, we need to regulate it