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Petco is officially halting all rabbit sales after a surge in buyer's remorse has led to “rabbit abandonment.”
The American pet retailer has decided to eliminate the option to buy rabbits as pets in favor of an “adoption-only policy” for the animals. Petco announced its decision on Tuesday (September 24).
According to Petco, rabbits are the third most popular pet in the United States. However, owners don’t always recognize the level of responsibility and care they require when they first purchase them. This then leads to “rabbit dumping season” or “summer dumping season,” where owners abandon their rabbits and leave them to fend for themselves outdoors.
On September 4, Rabbit.org, a California-based activist foundation, issued an urgent statement demanding that Petco end rabbit sales.
“The sale of rabbits in pet stores often results in impulse purchases by customers who are unaware of the intensive care and significant veterinary costs involved,” their statement reads. “These hasty purchases often lead to the ‘summer dumping season,’ when many pet rabbits are abandoned outdoors, where they become roadkill or prey to predators.”
The foundation also said Petco had broken its promises to stop rabbit sales in 1994 and 2008.
Paige K Parsons, president of Rabbit.org, said: “Petco’s decision to sell rabbits is hypocritical and demonstrates a blatant disregard for its past commitments.”
The Independent has contacted Petco for comment.
Petco cited feedback it received from “partnerships with animal rescue and welfare organizations across the country” as motivation for halting all future sales.
From now through October, the conglomerate is offering a 20 percent discount on its “Start Right” savings program for anyone who adopts a rabbit from a rescue or adoption agency. The “Start Right” program is connected to its “Vital Care Core” and “Vital Care Premier” memberships, which promise exclusive rewards and discounts on nutrition, care and veterinary services.
Petco says ending rabbit sales is “in line with the company's long-standing philosophy, Think Adoption First, which encourages prospective pet owners to consider adopting a homeless pet rather than purchasing one, whenever possible.”
Any remaining rabbits the company had previously listed for purchase will be available for adoption.
MSPCA-Angell, a nonprofit that works to help improve animal care, listed a few reasons why rabbits are often given up for adoption. The top three reasons were loss of interest by children, accidental litter, and stray rabbits.
“Often a cycle begins where the rabbit experiences poor handling and becomes fearful or reactive during subsequent handling, causing apprehension in the child, who then handles the rabbit even less,” the organization argues.
“Before purchasing a rabbit, learn about its behavior and care needs, and make an informed decision about whether it is the best pet choice for you.”
