Animal Policy

Astoria is a livestock marketplace for regenerative farms and homesteads. All animals listed on the platform must be ready to live on pasture at their new home after sale.

1. Pasture raised, natural standards

Astoria is designed for producers who raise animals in a healthy, natural, pasture-based environment. By listing animals on the platform, you agree that:

• Animals spend the majority of their lives on pasture or range, with regular access to sunlight and space to move.
• Confinement is limited to short‑term handling, weather events, medical needs, or transport.
• Feed is based primarily on forages (grass, hay, browse) or a feed otherwise appropriate to the species, with any supplemental feed used to support health rather than replace pasture entirely.

Because practices vary by region and species, you should describe your specific management (grazing system, housing, feed, etc.) clearly in your seller’s about page or listing.

2. Feed standards

Our intent is to support animals raised on natural, non‑industrial diets. By listing animals, you agree that:

• You do not routinely use feeds containing genetically modified (GMO) grains or by‑products.
• You do not use feed additives that are prohibited in your jurisdiction or known to be harmful to animals, humans, or the environment.
• Any supplemental grain or concentrate is used in a way that supports animal health and does not depend on continuous confinement.

If you use any conventional or non‑pasture feed, you must disclose this clearly in your seller’s about page or listing.

3. Health

Astoria’s focus is on high‑welfare, naturally raised animals. We expect:

• No routine use of antibiotics (e.g., no constant low‑dose antibiotics for growth promotion or disease prevention in otherwise healthy animals).
• No routine use of vaccines, especially to support high‑density or confinement systems.

If you have used antibiotics, vaccines, or other medications:

• You must clearly disclose this in the listing (e.g., “treated with X on date Y; withdrawal period ends on date Z”).
• You must follow all withdrawal periods and legal requirements in your jurisdiction.

Buyers are encouraged to ask questions about health history or treatments before bidding. Any seller found to be intentionally withholding information about health or treatments may be removed from the platform.

4. Animal welfare and handling

Sellers on Astoria are expected to follow humane handling and care practices:

• Provide clean water, appropriate shelter, and adequate nutrition at all times.
• Handle animals calmly and with minimal stress during gathering, sorting, and loading.
• Follow all applicable animal‑welfare regulations in your jurisdiction.

Listings that show or suggest abusive, neglectful, or clearly sub‑standard conditions may be removed, and accounts may be suspended.

5. Transparency and honesty

Astoria depends on trust. Sellers agree to:

• Provide accurate descriptions of breed, age, sex, health status, and management system.
• Disclose any known issues (injuries, defects, chronic conditions, previous treatments).
• Update or remove listings promptly if animal status changes.

Buyers are responsible for performing their own due diligence and may request additional records (health records, farm photos, third‑party certifications, etc.) before purchasing.

6. Agricultural production animals only

Astoria is a marketplace for production animals only. All animals listed on the platform must be raised for agricultural use (meat, milk, breeding, etc.) and not as pets or companion animals.

By using Astoria, you agree:

• You will only buy and sell animals intended for agricultural production purposes.
• You will not use Astoria to buy or sell pets or companion animals.

We reserve the right to remove listings or accounts that appear to be using the platform for pets or non‑production purposes.

7. Scope and disclaimer

This Animal Policy is intended to set community expectations and values for the platform. It is not a certification program and does not replace:

• Local, state, or federal laws and regulations.
• Third‑party animal management certifications.

While Astoria does not physically inspect every farm or animal, we do our due diligence when onboarding new sellers to ensure they are following this policy. We reserve the right to request additional information, suspend listings, or close accounts where we believe this policy is not being followed.