Stand for Rabbits: Demand Petco Return to Adoptions Only

By

9/24 Update: A Heartfelt Thank You: Petco Ends Rabbit Sales Thanks to United Effort

Petco (WOOF: Nasdaq) is selling rabbits again despite having made two previous commitments to stop (press release). As one of the largest pet supply retailers in the U.S., Petco has a troubling history of exploiting these sensitive, intelligent animals for profit. Their repeated broken promises highlight a pattern of disregard for animal welfare. With plans to expand rabbit sales, it’s more important than ever to remember this history and take action to end it. Here is our complete resource guide to stopping rabbit sales at Petco.

Jump to:
History • Current Crisis • Why Should I Care? • What Can I Do? • Resources • References

History

The Broken Promises of 1994 and 2008

In 1994, Petco first promised to end the sale of rabbits1 after significant pressure from animal welfare advocates. Rabbit rescues and animal rights organizations celebrated this decision as a positive step towards reducing the number of abandoned and neglected rabbits. Petco’s pledge was seen as a commitment to align with more humane business practices and recognize the growing movement to adopt rather than shop.

However, by 2000, it became clear that Petco had quietly resumed selling rabbits2. This policy reversal came without any public announcement, leading to disappointment and frustration among animal advocates who had trusted Petco to uphold its commitment to animal welfare.

In 2008, facing renewed pressure from activists3 and the growing popularity of rabbit adoption, Petco again publicly pledged to stop selling rabbits4 5. This second commitment was also presented as part of Petco’s partnership with local rabbit rescues to promote adoption events in their stores. Once more, the promise was viewed as a step forward for animal welfare and responsible pet ownership.

Petco’s video promoting their move to “Adoption Only” for Rabbits in 2008.

Unfortunately, these promises were short-lived. Petco resumed selling rabbits in its stores, demonstrating a troubling pattern of prioritizing profit over the well-being of animals. The reintroduction of rabbits into their sales inventory contradicted their previous commitments and highlighted the company’s inconsistency and hypocrisy regarding ethical animal care.

Previous Alleged Cases of Animal Abuse at Petco

The Current Crisis: Pilot Sales of “Teacup and Miniature” Designer Rabbits at 25 Stores in the South

As of August 26th, 2024, the following 25 Petco locations in the Southern US will receive live male neutered rabbits, according to leaked internal documents as well as Petco’s Rabbit Sales:Talking Points for Customers, Protest Response, and Media Policy.

Pilot Store Locations

Alabama: Huntsville

Arkansas: Jonesboro

Florida: Clermont, Davie Plantation

Georgia: Buford (Mall of Georgia), Columbus, Duluth, Evans, Milton, Snellville

Louisiana: Lafayette, Lake Charles

Mississippi: Meridian

North Carolina: Durham (South Square), Henderson

Tennessee: Cookeville, Murfreesboro

Virginia: Fredericksburg, Hampton, Sterling, Warrenton

South Carolina: Woodruff Road (Greenville)

Why Should I Care?

The Impact on Rabbits and Rabbit Rescues: Abandonment and Neglect

The decision to continue selling rabbits has significant and negative impacts. Rabbits are one of the most misunderstood companion animals, often purchased impulsively without fully understanding their care needs. They require specific diets, housing, socialization, and medical care. When these needs are not met, rabbits suffer. Consequently, rabbits frequently end up being surrendered to shelters or abandoned.

Shelters and rescue organizations are already overwhelmed with the number of rabbits needing homes. Every year, thousands of rabbits are abandoned or relinquished to shelters because their caregivers did not understand the long-term commitment required. By continuing to sell rabbits, Petco contributes directly to this cycle of neglect and abandonment.

Kathy Harder and Callie Showgrin of Orlando Rabbit Rescue talk with Orlando News 6 about the impact of Petco rabbit sales on local rescues.

The following animal welfare nonprofits are a part of our coalition to stop Petco Rabbit Sales and signed on to our initial press release speaking out about Petco and their hypocrisy:

Health Challenges of Designer and Purebred Rabbits: The Risks of Brachycephaly and Beyond

Brachycephaly in rabbits is a significant health concern, particularly prevalent in purebred animals selectively bred for specific physical traits like a flatter, wider face. This condition is part of a broader spectrum of health issues in purebreds, affecting their ability to breathe, eat, and see properly, and underscores the risks associated with selective breeding practices.

Purebred “designer” rabbits have all the same issues as purebred dogs – health issues and Brachycephaly.

What Can I Do? Boycott, Write, Comment, and Protest

Petco’s repeated decisions to sell rabbits, despite public commitments to stop, reveal blatant hypocrisy in its corporate policies. While Petco markets itself as a company that cares for animal welfare and promotes responsible pet ownership, its actions suggest otherwise. The company’s willingness to put profits over promises and the well-being of animals is deeply concerning.

Animal advocates must unite and take action to hold Petco accountable. The rabbit welfare community calls upon Petco to honor its past promises and permanently end the sale of rabbits in its stores. We urge concerned citizens to voice their opposition to this exploitative practice.

Take Action: Contact Local Media

The press release that was published in over 260 local and national media outlets last week is just the first step. It is critical that every concerned rabbit advocate follow up with a letter to their local TV news station and local paper and then follow up with a phone call to the outlet. Use our reaching out to local media template.

We also encourage you to submit a letter to the letters page of your local newspaper. We have a template for this, too!

Writing a letter to the letters page is one of the quickest and easiest ways to contact your local media. The letters page is one of the most read parts of a local newspaper. To enhance your chances of getting a letter printed it’s helpful to read previous letters to get a sense of the style they like to publish.

Take Action: Write to Petco’s President Joel D. Anderson

Your voice can make a difference. Here is a Petco protest letter template you can use to contact the new president of Petco, Joel D. Anderson. His first day on the job is September 4th, 2024.

Email the letter to Joel.Anderson@petco.com and customerrelations@petco.com

Personalizing your message will make it even more impactful. Together, we can advocate for a permanent end to rabbit sales at Petco and promote responsible pet ownership.

Some clever folks on Facebook have set up a Petco email automation tool.

Take Action: Hand out boycott fliers at your local petco

download, print and share!

View Fullscreen

Take Action: Call Petco

Make the call (but be respectful):

Customer service line: 1(877)-738-6742
Ethics department line: 1(888)-736-9834

My name is [Your Name], and I’m calling to urge Petco to stop selling rabbits and return to promoting adoptions. This is not the first time such a reversal has occurred, and it deeply troubles us who care about animal welfare. As a result, I feel compelled to redirect my business to other pet supply stores that align more closely with ethical practices concerning animal adoption and sales. We hope Petco will reinstate its adoption-focused policy, which would allow us to support your business again confidently.

Take Action: Comment on Petco’s Social Media

Channel your social media energy into leaving a few comments for the company itself (preferably 5 per page).

IG: https://www.instagram.com/petco?igsh=MTZqNng5OHN0YXl3Zg==

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Petco?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Take Action: Spread Awareness and Updates Through Social Media

Share this post and the pet with your friends and anyone who cares about rabbits to spread the word. Here are some social media posts you can like and share to your stories.

Take Action: Boycot Petco

BOYCOTT Petco! This is all about making money off rabbits without regard to their welfare, and we won’t stand for it.

Take Action: Sign the Change.org Petition

Two petitions are circulating on change.org. Please sign them both!

Take Action: Join The Rabbit.org Petco Coalition

Let’s work together to ensure that Petco lives up to its promises and protects the well-being of rabbits. Please send your letters and make your voice heard today. If you represent a rabbit rescue or advocacy group, please contact us to join our coalition. Questions? email us at petco-rabbits@rabbit.org.

Resources

  • Press Release
  • Letter Template: Write to Petco
  • Letter Template: Write a Letter to the Editor
  • Letter from Petco in 1994 Promising to Stop Rabbit Sales

Additional Coverage of the 2024 Rabbit Sales Decision

References

  1. An Open Letter to Petco by Margo DeMello February 14th, 2002 (Archived) ↩︎
  2. Update on Discussion Between HRS and Petco by Margo DeMello Jan 25th, 2003 (Archived) ↩︎
  3. Petco Expanding Rabbit Sales by Margo DeMello Jan 15th, 2006 (Archived) ↩︎
  4. Petco Ends Rabbit Sales by Margo DeMello November 17, 2008 (Archived) ↩︎
  5. 2008 – Petco Facebook  – Petco Moves to Adoption-Only for Rabbits ↩︎

This article can be copied and distributed freely via a Creative Commons 3.0 share-alike license.

  • Paige K Parsons

    Paige has been a house rabbit educator for over 25 years. Her education efforts began when she designed and created rabbit.org in 1994. She is currently a live concert photographer and previously was a user experience designer. She lives with her husband, Carl, and her two house rabbits, Moe and Mimzy.

    View all posts
Scroll to Top