Pets At Home Imposes Easter Ban on Rabbit Sales
In a move to promote responsible pet ownership, Pets At Home, one of the UK’s largest pet retailers, has announced a temporary ban on rabbit sales over the Easter weekend. According to The Scottish Sun, the ban, which will be in effect from Good Friday, April 18, to Easter Monday, April 21, will apply to all 460 store locations across the UK, including outlets in Scotland.
The decision to halt rabbit sales during this period is part of Pets At Home’s commitment to discouraging impulsive buys, particularly those driven by the association of rabbits with Easter. As The Scottish Sun reports, the retailer wants to encourage customers to carefully consider the needs of rabbits before deciding to bring one home. A Pets At Home spokesperson told The Scottish Sun: "Every year, we make the decision to temporarily halt rabbit sales over the Easter weekend. This is a deliberate action to discourage any impulsive choices about owning a rabbit, given their close association with this time of year."
Rabbits, as Pets At Home notes, have complex needs, including specialised dietary requirements and environments. The spokesperson added: "Rabbits make wonderful pets, however, they are not the ‘easy’ pet that they can often be thought of as. Rabbits have complex needs, including specialised dietary requirements and environments, and we always want to educate and encourage careful reflection on how those needs will be met before homing."
The charity E.A.R.S, which rescues rabbits, reports that four out of five rabbits bought as pets for Easter are abandoned or die within a year. According to the organisation, rabbits can be a "10 to 12-year commitment" and should not be considered "starter pets". They require daily exercise, attention, and an appropriate diet.
PETA has also weighed in on the issue, urging retailers to make the sales freeze permanent. The animal rights organisation strongly advises against the sale of rabbits as hundreds are bought as gifts for children over the Easter break. As The Scottish Sun previously reported, PETA has long been advocating for better treatment of animals, including those sold in pet stores.
By imposing this temporary ban, Pets At Home aims to raise awareness about the responsibilities involved in caring for rabbits. As the retailer notes, rabbits make wonderful pets, but only for those who are prepared to provide the necessary care and attention. As The Scottish Sun understands, this move is part of a broader effort to promote responsible pet ownership and ensure that animals are treated with the respect and care they deserve.
In conclusion, the Easter ban on rabbit sales imposed by Pets At Home serves as a timely reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership. As The Scottish Sun has learned, the retailer is committed to promoting the welfare of animals, and this initiative is just one example of this commitment in action. By educating customers about the needs of rabbits and encouraging careful consideration before bringing one home, Pets At Home is helping to ensure that these wonderful animals receive the care and attention they deserve. (Source: The Scottish Sun: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/money/14656755/major-pet-store-ban-stores-animals/)
