In a hoppy ending for animal advocates, the pet-supply chain has reversed course on a controversial plan to sell this lovable animal
Petco Will No Longer Sell These Animals—Here’s Why
Published on Oct. 11, 2024
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. You can even find small pets like fish, hamsters and guinea pigs. But there is one furry friend that will no longer be for sale in any of the chain’s 1,500 locations. And animal advocates say that is a very good thing.
“This decision will save lives,” says veterinarian Alisa Rassin, VMD, owner of the Exotic Animal Hospital of Philadelphia. Read on to find out what prompted the change—and what it means for animal lovers.
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Which animal will Petco no longer sell?
The pet-store chain is saying bye-bye to bunnies. In a statement released on Sept. 24, 2024, Petco announced it was recommitting to an “adoption-only” policy for rabbits, meaning it would no longer sell the animals in its stores but instead direct customers interested in acquiring a bunny 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,” Petco communications officer Benjamin Thiele-Long said.
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.
What’s the history behind this decision?
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 in what it called “a blatant betrayal of its promises.” (Petco declined to comment on previous commitments.)
Are rabbits hard to care for?
“It’s not so much that they are hard to care for,” says Dr. Rassin, “but you need to know what you’re getting into.”
Unlike some hamsters and gerbils, who may live only a couple of years, a bunny’s average life span is 10 to 12 years, with some living well into their teens. “I knew a bunny who lived to be 17 years old,” she says. “So it’s a big commitment.”
And while bunnies are all kinds of 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 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. “Bunnies are very social,” says Dr. Rassin. “They love to be around other rabbits and their people.”
Like dogs and cats, bunnies also require regular medical care, including vaccines and spay/neuter surgery. “If a female doesn’t get spayed before the age of 2, her chance of getting cancer goes up by 80%,” Dr. Rassin says. “And an unneutered male will get territorial and start marking and peeing on things.”
Do bunnies and rabbits make good pets?
They do! Bunnies are known for being cuddly, friendly and smart. “Some will give you kisses, and some will even do tricks for you,” says Dr. Rassin. “They like to play those little toddler cup-stacking games. They’re very entertaining.”
Bunnies can also be a good choice for those looking for a nonallergenic pet. While no rabbit is completely hypoallergenic, breeds with short, dense coats can be well tolerated by those who are allergic to dogs and cats. (Just make sure you are not also allergic to hay, which is the bulk of a rabbit’s diet!)
If you want a rabbit, where should you get one?
A rabbit-rescue group is probably the best place to look for a bunny. Rabbit.org offers helpful links to rabbit rescues around the country, and Petfinder also lists bunnies available through local rescue groups.
“So many of the rescues are still full with bunnies that were adopted during COVID-19 and then abandoned when people went back to work,” says Dr. Rassin. “We were seeing dozens abandoned in a week. People would just release them outdoors to let them fend for themselves, and volunteers would have to go find and rescue them. It was devastating.”
One advantage of working with a rescue is that you’ll get the chance to foster a bunny to see if the pet is right for you before you commit. “Fostering is a great way to get introduced to rabbits and see if they fit your lifestyle,” she says.
And then there are other pet stores that still sell rabbits. If you choose to go that route, there are some things to look for to determine if the bunny is healthy: “You want to make sure there’s no discharge from their nose or eyes,” says Dr. Rassin. “And check the inside of their front paws. Bunnies are really good at grooming themselves, so sometimes if they have eye or nose discharge, it will be on the paws they use to wipe it off. Also make sure the rabbit is a healthy weight and there is no diarrhea in the cage.”
What about other small animals in pet stores?
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. “Thank goodness they changed the policy,” says Dr. Rassin. “No animals should be sold as an impulse purchase.”
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Sources:
- Alisa Rassin, VMD, founder and medical director of the Exotic Animal Hospital of Philadelphia; phone interview, Oct. 9, 2024
- Petco: “Petco recommits to adoption-only policy for rabbits”
- Rabbit.org: “Animal advocates demand immediate end to rabbit sales at Petco”
