Banned animals remain listed on Marktplaats, research finds
House of Animals filed a new report after it says it found dozens of advertisements for prohibited or illegally kept animals.
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Animals organisation House of Animals says animals that may not be traded or kept in the Netherlands are still being offered on Marktplaats. The organisation says it filed a new report on 24 October.
The Animal Crime Unit of House of Animals examined advertisements on Marktplaats over recent months. According to the organisation, these included Scottish Fold kittens, dogs with cropped ears and various mammals not listed on the Dutch positive list. The organisation published examples of advertisements and says the dossier forms the basis for a new report.
The positive list determines which mammals private individuals may keep in the Netherlands. Restrictions apply to species not on the list. House of Animals mentions wallabies, squirrels, hedgehogs and chinchillas, among others. According to the organisation, breeding, selling or trading animals born after the current rules were introduced may be prohibited.
Cropping ears or tails without medical necessity is also prohibited in the Netherlands. The organisation says it found advertisements offering dogs with visibly cropped ears. Whether a criminal offence was actually committed in each individual case must be determined by regulators and the Public Prosecution Service.
In its information about exotic animals, Marktplaats writes that trading in protected species may be prohibited and that sellers must be able to show the required documents. For enforcement, the platform refers, among others, to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, the police, the National Animal Welfare Inspection Service and customs.
The NVWA supervises dogs and cats offered online and can intervene in cases of violations. According to the agency, illegal traders may sell animals that are too young, insufficiently vaccinated or without valid documents. The NVWA says this poses risks to animal welfare and, in the case of illegal imports, may also create health risks.
House of Animals’ report is an accusation, not a judicial ruling. Nor can the research establish how many advertisements on Marktplaats are illegal in total. Marktplaats did not respond substantively to this new report in the sources consulted. The case therefore concerns not only individual sellers, but also how much responsibility a trading platform should take for prohibited listings.
For buyers, an advertisement in itself is not proof that an animal is being offered legally. In cases of suspected wrongdoing, the NVWA advises keeping information about the animal, the seller and available documents, and submitting a report. The police treat illegal animal trading as a form of crime in which confiscation may also be possible.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- House of Animals reported a new filing against Marktplaats.
- The organisation says it documented advertisements for prohibited or unauthorised animals.
- Dutch regulators and the police have powers relating to animal trading and animal welfare.
- A report does not prove that Marktplaats or individual sellers acted criminally.
Left
Arguments A platform that earns money from advertisements should actively prevent prohibited animals from being offered, rather than mainly waiting for reports from members of the public.
Values Animal welfare, protection of vulnerable groups and the responsibility of large digital platforms.
Consequences Stricter checks could limit illegal trading, but may lead to higher moderation costs and the removal of legal advertisements.
Centre
Arguments Enforcement should be organised jointly: platforms should carry out clear checks, while the NVWA and police determine what is legally prohibited and investigate cases carefully.
Values Legal certainty, feasibility and a balance between platform responsibility and government supervision.
Consequences A reporting and checking system could work, but requires clear criteria, capacity and appeal procedures.
Right
Arguments The government should enforce existing rules without turning platforms into general investigative services; liability should mainly rest with sellers who break the law.
Values Ownership, limited government interference and protection of legal trade.
Consequences Targeted investigations could prevent excessive censorship, but without robust platform checks, prohibited advertisements may remain visible for longer.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The reporting clearly distinguishes between a filing by an interest group and proven criminal offences. The legal background was checked with Marktplaats, the NVWA and the police.
- confirmed House of Animals reported a new filing against Marktplaats on 24 October. — Reported by AnimalsToday, which describes the organisation’s investigation. source
- confirmed Trading in certain protected or unauthorised animals may be prohibited. — Explained in Marktplaats’ information about exotic animals. source
- confirmed The NVWA also checks dogs and cats offered online. — Mentioned on the NVWA’s official information page. source
- confirmed Illegal animal trading falls within the duties of the animal police. — Stated by the police. source
Editor's note
It is certain that House of Animals reported a new filing and published examples of advertisements. The legal status of individual advertisements and Marktplaats’ response have not been established.Sources
- Aangifte: Verboden dieren nog altijd te koop via Marktplaats — AnimalsToday / House of Animals
- Meld misstanden honden- en kattenhandel — Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit
- Uitleg over de dierenpolitie — Politie
- Exotische dieren — Marktplaats
More on this in Dutch media
- NOS — „marktplaats dierenhandel”
- Het Parool — „marktplaats dierenhandel”
- Trouw — „marktplaats dierenhandel”