PetSmart hit for rabbit sales

David Woodfill, Tribune

September 5, 2007 - 8:36PM

PetSmart, a Valley-based pet store chain, is under fire from animal welfare advocates for selling rabbits in some of its stores.

Company officials said they’re listening to criticism from organizations who say rabbit sales are unethical, however, they aren’t bending to the pressure.

“We’re not terribly surprised by the response but at the same time we believe that ... adoptions and sales can co-exist,” said company spokesman Bruce Richardson.

In July, PetSmart began test sales of dwarf rabbits in 25 stores including two in the Valley and one in Tucson. The Phoenix-based company has yet to decide on whether to continue to sales.

Organizations like the Calif.-based House Rabbit Society, Phoenix-based Brambley Hedge Rabbit Rescue and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have publicly chastised the retailer saying, among other things, the sales will contribute to overpopulation in shelters and pounds.

The critics, many of whom partner with the retailer by offering rabbit adoptions, say the company also has reneged on a commitment not to sell rabbits.

“It really does feel like a smack in the face,” said Mary Cotter, outreach and education director for House Rabbit Society.

Richardson, however, said the company’s never had a no-rabbit policy.

He said the rabbits make good companions and are the third most popular pet behind cats and dogs.

They’re also the third most-euthanized animal when owners find them too burdensome, Cotter said,

Richardson said the company ensures their breeders follow proper husbandry guidelines by providing good care and safe transportation.

The retailer is taking other steps to ensure rabbit populations don’t explode.

Richardson said they spay and neuter the animals before they reach the sales floor and they won’t sell them during the Easter holiday season — a time when demand sky-rockets.

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Jenni Beard

This article really does not represent all of the facts. There are numerous articles that quote corporate Petsmart executives stating that they would never sell rabbits.

It also does not mention that not only are rabbits the third most commonly euthanised pet, but also that they are the pet most commonly abandoned on the streets. Many, if not most, of these rabbits do not survive since they are prey species.

Rabbits should not be sold in stores any more than dogs or cats. Doing so is, as Mary Cotter states, "a smack in the face". This will only make rescue much more difficult and increase the number of rabbits euthanised. It will also increase the number of rabbits that are set loose and become food for the numerous predators that attack them.

What Petsmart does not seem to want to answer, is why they would sell rabbits when it is not only against their original policy, but why rabbits as opposed to dogs or cats? This is yet one more company who is treating rabbits as though they are "second class" pets. Are rabbits not valuable enough in their eyes to help save rather than help kill? Suggest removal of this comment

September 6, 2007

RabbbitWise

For all the updated news about the PetSmart campaign, visit the Hot Topics page at www.rabbitwise.org of go directly to http://mysite.verizon.net/vze27h5b/id90.html
Learn what you can do to help rabbits. Thank you East Valley Tribune for callling attention to the rabbits' plight. Suggest removal of this comment

September 6, 2007

Dana Felice

PetSmart has a major flaw in their business plan. Adoption and sales cannot coexist. If that were true, you would see the American Kennel Club partnering with the hundreds of dog breed rescue groups. Or, the House Rabbit Society partnered with ARBA and 4-H

I hope PetSmart recognizes the rabbit overpopulation situation and becomes part of the solution versus part of the problem. Suggest removal of this comment

September 7, 2007

Karen Timby

You can read Petsmart CEO's comments about not selling rabbits here:

http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/4300498-1.html
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September 13, 2007

C

It's a load of bull that rabbits are the 3rd most abandoned or euthanized animal. There aren't records kept so anyone who says this is just lying. Rabbit overpop doesn't even exist, just propaganda to try to market shelter rabbits and discourage people from seeking a rabbit from their competition-pet stores and breeders. The rescue groups are just upset that they will have more competition from cute baby rabbits sold in Petsmart. It's time people understood that "rescue" isn't noble or wonderful, there aren't any better than anyone else. Comment has been reviewed