Pets at Home has announced it will temporarily ban people from buying certain animals this weekend (April 18-21) at all 460 stores across the UK. The pet shop has confirmed the news ahead of the upcoming Easter break, when many ‘impulsively’ buy rabbits as seasonal gifts without properly knowing what they’re getting themselves into.
The temporary ban will prevent people from buying or adopting rabbits from shops in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It’s not the first year that the store has opposed the act. For several years, it has stopped customers from claiming rabbits from its stores over Easter.
A Pets at Home spokesperson said: “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.”
They 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.”
PETA reports that 80% of rabbits acquired during the Easter season are abandoned or perish within a year. This alarming statistic stems from the impulsive nature of these purchases, as many individuals fail to grasp the level of commitment and ongoing care that rabbits truly need.
Signs will replace the cute animals commonly linked to Easter in stores over the coming days. Pets at Home shared what the sign says online before the ‘ban’ on buying or adopting rabbits from stores is enforced.
It reads: “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).”
Organisations like the RSPCA strongly advise against buying rabbits as Easter gifts, as they are not toys and require a long-term commitment. The charity has lots of information as a starting point on its website.
This Easter, Pets at Home says it will continue championing responsible pet ownership, starting with educating families and changing attitudes. The My Pet Pals experience offers a fun and interactive experience with Pets at Home to learn all types of pets, as well as activities to entertain the whole family.
Local stores will run free sessions over the long weekend on Good Friday (April 18) and Saturday, April 19. Some dates are still available throughout the week if you need something to fill the school holidays.
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