Reveal! Report! Repeat!
Seeing puppy selling offers in breach of social media rules?
Dog sellers are increasingly using subtle tricks to bypass Meta’s Community Standards, which prohibit the sale of animals on Facebook and Instagram.
Help end the cruel trade of dogs on social media by reporting it!
If you spot a suspicious post, you can help by reporting it. Here's how to recognise common tactics and report them effectively.
6 Easy-to-Spot Examples of Suspicious Posts
Watch out for unscrupulous puppy dealers. Look out for posts that use these tricks and tactics:
1. Emoji Codes
- blue heart emoji: male puppy, red heard emoji: female puppy
- letter emoji: message privately
- DNS or blood emoji: bloodline/DNA
- bear or gorilla emoji: breed hint
- plane or world map emoji: international delivery
2. Hashtag Tricks
Posts using hashtags like #forsale or #nothingforsale to imply availability.
3. “Looking for a Couch/Sofa”
Euphemistic language suggesting rehoming, e.g., “This little one is looking for a cozy couch.”
4. Photos with Key Details
Posts showing puppy gender, age, location, or postcode — often used to signal availability.
5. Cute Appeal Captions
“Isn’t she adorable?” or “What do you think of my puppies?” — designed to attract buyers.
6. Direct Sale Posts
Posts that include phrases like “for sale” and a phone number.
How to report a post
On Facebook
- Click the three dots (...) in the top right of the post.
- Select “Report post”.
- Choose “Selling or promoting restricted items”, then “Animals”
- Follow the prompts to submit your report.
On Instagram
- Tap the three dots (...) above the post.
- Select “Report”.
- Choose “Selling or promoting restricted items”, then “Animals”.
- Confirm and submit your report.
Tips for Effective Reporting
- Include a brief comment if prompted: e.g., “This post appears to be selling puppies using coded emojis.”
- Encourage others to report the same post — multiple reports increase visibility.
- Take screenshots if needed for a follow-up.
