Petco Will No Longer Sell Rabbits



Petco may still be “where the pets go” for everything from healthy kibble and canned food to must-have pet products like dog beds, cat litter and aquariums, but one thing you won't find there are bunnies. Petco has announced that it's committing to an “adoption-only” policy for rabbits, meaning that it will no longer sell the animals in its stores, instead directing customers to rabbit-rescue groups. “We learned … we can have a greater impact by refocusing our efforts into helping find homes for the thousands of rabbits already looking for loving families across the country,” said Benjamin Thiele-Long, Petco Communications Officer. The change in policy comes just a month after Petco began selling rabbits in some of its stores in the southern United States, a move that provoked a firestorm of protests from animal advocates. Animal-rescue groups have long argued that selling bunnies in pet stores puts the animals at risk. “Selling rabbits in pet stores often leads to impulse buys by customers unaware of the extensive care and significant veterinary costs involved,” the group Rabbit.org said in a statement. “These hasty purchases often lead to ‘summer dump season,’ when many pet rabbits are abandoned outdoors, becoming roadkill or prey for predators.” The group, which lobbied Petco for the change, also claims that Petco had previously committed to ending the sale of rabbits in its stores — first in 1994 and then again in 2008 — but had quietly resumed the practice. Rabbit-rescue groups want people to know that while bunnies are cute, they also come with some pretty specific care requirements. They need space to hop and explore, so while you can keep them in an enclosure, you need to let them out for several hours every day. They also require a diet high in hay and fresh vegetables (not just pellets), and they really need interactive playtime, ideally with other rabbits but also with their humans. Most animal advocates would like to see an end to the practice of selling any animals in pet stores, but for now, they are celebrating Petco’s decision as a victory.