Pets at Home announces major ban for Easter affecting 460 UK stores
The ban will remain in force from April 18 to 21
British retailer Pets at Home has announced a temporary ban on buying certain animals over Easter weekend across all 460 UK stores.
The popular pet shop, which was founded in 1991, is banning the sale of rabbits from April 18 to 21 due to people "impulsively" buying the cute pets as seasonal Easter gifts.
Pets at Home's temporary bunny ban will prevent people from buying or adopting rabbits from 460 stores in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland over Easter weekend.
This ban has taken place over the last few years to stop people buying a rabbit for Easter, without knowing what it takes to meet their "complex needs".
A spokesperson from Pets at Home 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.
"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."
Animal charity 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, which will read: "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)."
Other animal protection organisations such as the RSPCA strongly advise against buying rabbits as Easter gifts, as they are not toys and require a long-term commitment.
According to the RSPCA, rabbits are highly sociable animals and shouldn't live alone unless advised so by a vet. They are intelligent animals and require far more space than people might assume.
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.