New & Noteworthy

“I Buy Strays” Hoax

The SF/SPCA has received a number of inquiries from concerned members of the community about the web site www.IBUYSTRAYS.COM, which claims to purchase unwanted dogs and cats from animal shelters and owners and then to sell them to research laboratories.  The SF/SPCA has made inquiries and has determined that this site is a hoax (see the assessment of this site at http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/hoaxes/ibuystrays.asp.)

Nevertheless, the issue raised by this website is real.  Every year, businesses known as “Class B Dealers,” round up dogs or cats and sell these unfortunate animals to research laboratories.  Regrettably, these dealers are licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Animal Welfare Act to traffic in “random source” animals—those obtained from flea markets, trade day sales, some animal control facilities, and totally unregulated middlemen known as “bunchers.”

There is no evidence that Class B dealers have used web-based solicitations to acquire dogs and cats.  However, because these dealers have a 40 year history of violating the AWA by acquiring animals under fraudulent means, and housing and transporting them under substandard conditions, a bill has been introduced in Congress to prevent such transactions.  The bill, Farm Bill 12140, has been passed by the House and Senate, and if it becomes law, it will make it illegal for research facilities to purchase random-source dogs and cats from Class B dealers.  This will remove the financial incentives from such operations whether via the Internet or other means.   

For more information about the Class B Dealer issue, see http://www.hsus.org/press_and_publications/press_releases/us_senate_passes_farm_bill_121407.html.