In a disturbing new trend on e-commerce sites, some vendors are selling mystery boxes, or grab bags of unknown content, containing pets. For example, a “turtle box” may contain either a common turtle or a rare, expensive species. According to media reports, the animals are not screened for disease and purchases are non-refundable.
By
NewsChina
Updated Apr.1
In a disturbing new trend on e-commerce sites, some vendors are selling mystery boxes, or grab bags of unknown content, containing pets. For example, a “turtle box” may contain either a common turtle or a rare, expensive species. According to media reports, the animals are not screened for disease and purchases are non-refundable. Most on social media slammed the sales tactic and worried that it would lead to an increase in abandoned pets. Some also suggested that mystery boxes could provide vendors a way to traffic protected species. Media outlets have called on authorities to tighten e-commerce supervision and forbid couriers from shipping live animals.
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