Gumtree is committed to promoting responsible pet rehoming and ensuring animal welfare remains a top priority for all users. Our Licensed Breeder Verification process is a key step in making our platform safer, more transparent, and more trustworthy for the pet-owning community.
What is verification?
Licensed Breeder Verification is a mandatory process for high-volume pet sellers to confirm that they are legitimate, licensed breeders or animal sellers.
To complete verification, users must submit:
- A copy of their valid local authority licence (e.g., Dog Breeding Licence or Animal Welfare Licence)
- Key identification details
Gumtree then cross-references this information with official government and council registers to ensure the licence is valid and genuine. Once approved, a Licensed Breeder Badge will appear on the seller’s account.
Why are we doing this?
This process helps address concerns around puppy farms, unethical backyard breeding, and scams that prioritise profit over animal welfare.
Our goals are to:
- Protect Buyers: Help users avoid unscrupulous sellers and reduce the risk of purchasing sick or poorly cared-for animals.
- Promote Responsibility: Ensure that anyone selling pets at commercial volume complies with local licensing laws and statutory welfare standards.
- Build Confidence: Provide potential rehomers with the reassurance that they are dealing with a legally compliant, verified source. This supports safe and responsible rehoming across the platform.
Who does this apply to?
Verification is required for any user who posts:
- More than two animals (or litters) in the Dogs or Other Pets categories within a rolling 12-month period.
This limit allows private owners to responsibly rehome a small number of pets, while ensuring all commercial-level sellers meet the legal requirements for breeding or selling animals.
