CAIRO — In recent years, dozens of Facebook pages and groups have become vehicles for selling and buying dogs and puppies in Egypt.

Facebook groups such as Dog Market Friday Market with around 126,000 members, Dog Market with 93,000 members, Dogs for Sale in Egypt with 74,000 members and other pages have been gaining increasing popularity. These online sites provide an alternative to the overcrowded weekly Friday market held in Sayeda Aisha in Cairo, which long has been a popular place for dog buyers and sellers who come from all parts of Egypt.

A group of young Egyptians, including Ahmed Afroutou and six of his friends, decided to open their own online market instead of having to rent a stand at the Friday market. The group's name, Dog Market Friday Market, references the Friday market. The site offers potential clients the opportunity to exchange information, experiences and tips for training dogs.

Abdulrahman Ibrahim, a dog-breeding expert at the Professional Dog Trainers Academy, told Al-Monitor, “Today's young people are interested in owning dogs, in having a loyal and faithful companion. Having a dog teaches young people responsibility. They must fulfil the tasks of feeding, walking and training their dog. They learn how to treat their dog with mercy and tenderness. This positively shapes their behavior and their relations with others.”