Avito bans the sale of pigeons for wedding ceremonies
The popular Russian classifieds platform Avito has decided to ban the sale of pigeons intended for release at weddings and other festive events. This new policy marks the first such instance in the practice of Russian online services. The company explains its decision by citing a concern for the birds' welfare.
Under the new rules, listings for the sale or transfer of pigeons for celebratory releases will be blocked by moderators. Representatives of the service emphasize that such birds are often not adapted to life in urban environments. After being released into the wild, they frequently die from hunger, cold, or predator attacks, as they are domesticated and do not know how to forage for food on their own.
Animal rights activists have already supported the platform's initiative. Experts note that the tradition of releasing pigeons into the sky at weddings often leads to animal cruelty. Birds are frequently kept in cramped cages and transported in unsuitable conditions, which harms their health even before the ceremony begins.
Now, Avito users will only be able to post listings for the sale of pigeons if they are intended for professional breeding or keeping in specialized aviaries. In such listings, it is forbidden to mention the possibility of using the birds for entertainment purposes.
This decision reflects a growing trend toward responsible attitudes toward animals in Russian business. It is expected that other major classifieds platforms may follow Avito's example to reduce the number of such incidents and raise the level of ethical standards in the event planning industry.