Animal cruelty
on the internet
and social media
Monkey for sale
It happens regularly: online ads in which a monkey is for sale, such as on Marktplaats or Facebook. Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases it is a scam.
The ads from scammers can often be recognized by their bad language. You can also check by looking up the image used in the advertisement with Google Image Search (using the right mouse button). If many foreign ads appear in the results, you can assume that it is a scam and that the animal is not really for sale.
What you can do
Is it a scam? Then report the advertisement on the site where it is posted. You can also report the ad to the police via 0900-8844.
Is the advertisement probably real? Then contact the dierenpolitie (animal police) at 144 (red een dier – save an animal) or meld misdaad anoniem (report crime anonymously): 0800-7000. We would appreciate it if you would also report the ad to AAP, so that we are aware of the situation.
Other animals for sale
Do you see an animal for sale, where you doubt that this is allowed? For example, a white bellied cone, savannah cat or prairie dog? Here you will find a list of animals that you may legally keep in the Netherlands. If the animal is on this list, then the sale of this animal is allowed.
What you can do
If the animal is not on the list, then the sale of this animal is prohibited. Please contact the dierenpolitie (animal police) via 144 (red een dier – save an animal) or meld misdaad anoniem (report crime anonymously): 0800-7000. We would appreciate it if you would also report the advertisement to AAP, so that we are aware of the situation.
Videos of animal cruelty
On the internet and social media there are many videos showing animal suffering. For example, a starving tiger in a zoo or a monkey with clothes on that has to do tricks. At AAP we are regularly asked if we can do something about it.
What AAP can do
If it is clear where the video was made and if the animal suffering is still current (often the videos that circulate are already quite dated), then we look together with colleague organizations at home and abroad how we can best help the animal (or animals).
Unfortunately, in most cases we can do little about it. It is difficult to find out at which location the videos were made. Also, it often concerns animal suffering outside Europe, such as in Asia. We cannot do much because we are not active there and our network is limited. Also, very different rules apply there.
What you can do
You can report the video with the animal suffering on the site where the video was posted. This way you let them know that you are against animal abuse and that you do not want to see the video.
Live videos with animal cruelty
Do you see a live video on social media of someone with a monkey as a pet? Or do you see other kinds of animal suffering in a live video?
What you can do
Please record the live video with your phone, so the images are not lost. You can then report to the dierenpolitie (animal police) via 144 (red een dier – save an animal) or via meldt misdaad anoniem (report crime anonymously): 0800-7000. The police will take your report into consideration.
We would appreciate it if you would also report the advertisement at AAP, so that we are aware of the situation. Thank you for being vigilant!