black-market pet sale

noun

UK /ˌblæk ˈmɑːkɪt pɛt seɪl/

US /ˌblæk ˈmɑːrkɪt pɛt seɪl/

A black-market pet sale is when someone sells animals secretly and illegally.

The police stopped a black-market pet sale at the harbor.

SYNONYMS

illegal pet trade underground animal sale illicit pet dealing unlicensed pet sale

RELATED WORDS

smuggling wildlife trafficking animal welfare poaching

OTHER MEANINGS

2. Selling pets without the required permits or health papers.

The shop was fined for a black-market pet sale of puppies.

3. Trading rare or protected animals on the black market.

Officers broke up a black-market pet sale of exotic birds.

4. A secret deal to buy or sell an animal away from official records.

The black-market pet sale happened in a parking lot at night.