Pets at Home Halts Rabbit Sales Over Easter Weekend
In a move aimed at preventing impulsive purchases of rabbits over the Easter weekend, Pets at Home has announced that it will temporarily pause the sale and adoption of rabbits in its 460 UK stores. The pet shop chain has implemented this policy in an effort to discourage people from buying rabbits without fully considering the care and attention they require.
According to a spokesperson for Pets at Home, as reported by ITV News, "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." The spokesperson further emphasised that "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."
This is not the first time Pets at Home has implemented this policy, and it comes as a response to concerns about the welfare of rabbits. The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) estimates that there are around 800,000 pet rabbits in the UK, with 2% of adults owning one. However, animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) claims that around 80% of rabbits adopted and purchased over the Easter season are either abandoned or have died within a year.
Peta Vice President of Programmes Elisa Allen told ITV News that while she welcomes Pets at Home’s decision to pause rabbit sales, the company should go further. She stated, "Easter cheer is short-lived for the thousands of rabbits bought on a whim and dumped at already-inundated rescues. It’s only right that Pets at Home suspend their sale of rabbits over the period, but as rabbit abandonment isn’t only a holiday phenomenon, the company ought to make their pause permanent and stop selling these sensitive animals year-round."
Allen also highlighted the complex needs of rabbits, stating, "Rabbits are complex individuals who dislike being picked up; they require adequate space to run and leap, boredom-busting enrichment, a species-appropriate diet, and specialist veterinary care. Anyone with the necessary time, love, and money to care for a rabbit should avoid supporting the cruel pet trade and visit a rescue to adopt a pair (or more) waiting for ‘somebunny’ to love them."
The move by Pets at Home has been likened to other famous animal welfare campaigns, such as The Dog’s Trust 1978 slogan "A dog is for life, not just for Christmas". Signs at Pets at Home stores will inform customers of the pause on rabbit sales, reading: "Owning a rabbit can be very rewarding and enjoyable. It’s also a long-term commitment that you need to make sure you’re ready for. We pride ourselves on putting pets before profit, so we’ve made the decision not to sell or adopt rabbits over the Easter weekend (April 18 to 21)."
As reported by ITV News, the decision by Pets at Home aims to promote responsible pet ownership and ensure that rabbits are not bought on impulse. The pet shop chain’s policy has been welcomed by animal welfare groups, who hope that it will help reduce the number of rabbits being abandoned or neglected.
In conclusion, the decision by Pets at Home to halt rabbit sales over the Easter weekend is a positive step towards promoting responsible pet ownership. As ITV News reports, the move highlights the importance of considering the welfare and needs of animals before bringing them into our homes. By pausing rabbit sales, Pets at Home is encouraging customers to think carefully about the commitment involved in caring for a rabbit, and to consider adopting from rescue centres instead.
