We want a world where suitable families can provide loving, permanent homes for dogs, while illegal puppy traders are blocked from accessing the market and impulse buying is discouraged.  Over the last decade, the way pets are sold and bought has changed rapidly, with many people now searching for pets online through classified sites. These sites connect sellers with potential buyers. With appropriate regulation, they allow responsible, serious breeders, to connect with responsible local families; as well as helping shelters and rescue organisations place animals for adoption. However, dubious sellers also use these platforms because they can do their criminal business easily and anonymously.   A total ban on selling animals online, with allowances for rescue organisations, could come with loopholes that criminals can exploit to continue to place ads. Alternatively, it could mean that traders simply move to other parts of the internet that are even more difficult to monitor and control. The only way to block illegal traders is by making the risk of placing an ad far too high for it to be worth the effort.  The good news is that there is a way for reputable breeders and rehoming organisations to benefit from online advertising platforms, while blocking illegal dealers. FOUR PAWS’ Model Solution for full traceability across the EU online puppy trade outlines our vision for how this can be achieved. Find out more!