istanbul
Displaying and selling dogs and cats at pet shops is prohibited under the Animal Welfare Act, but the increasing number of sales online has caused controversy.
Sales are typically made through photo and video advertising on social media platforms, which have thousands of members. Animal prices are not specified online as information regarding prices and animal breeds offered is provided over the phone.
Animal rights activists in Turkiye have criticized the lack of information about animal health and care in online pet sales.
Activists claim that online sales platforms do not require sellers to provide sufficient information about an animal's health history and vaccination status.
Additionally, activists say online sales make it difficult to trace the origin of animals, which could contribute to the illegal pet trade.
The city of Turkiye has taken measures to regulate the pet trade, including banning the sale of cats and dogs in pet shop showcases. But activists say more needs to be done to protect animals sold online.
The law banning the sale of pets would allow companies with sales permits to sell pets online that have been chipped in natural farm environments. Companies that do not comply with the ban will be fined 2,043 Turkish liras ($63) per animal.