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Petco shifts to adoption-only for rabbits amid pressure from advocacy group

By Chris Williams
Published  September 25, 2024 11:16am MST
Pets and Animals
FOX TV Stations

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SAN DIEGO - Petco announced that it will recommit to putting up rabbits for adoption-only, as opposed to selling them for purchase.

The pet retailer said it made the decision following a limited pilot program that involved the sale of fewer than 50 rabbits in select locations. 

The company said its latest move is in conjunction with its "Think Adoption First" philosophy, where customers are urged to consider adopting a homeless pet rather than buying one. 

A Petco store in New York. Photographer: Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images

"We put great care and thought into piloting a responsible way to offer neutered rabbits for those looking for a new family member," Benjamin Thiele-Long, Chief ESG & Communications Officer, said in a news release. 

Petco will also offer a 20% off "Start Right" discount for those who adopt a rabbit from any established rabbit rescue or adoption group through October. Also, any remaining miniature rabbits that were available for purchase at select Petco locations will be offered for adoption.  

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The Helen Woodward Animal Center in San Diego, California is capitalizing on the hype for the 2024 Olympics, and hosting their own OlymPETS games to showcase all of the adoptable animals waiting for their forever home. Austin Hale produced the 2024 OlymPETS games, and joins LiveNOW from FOX.

Petco came under fire from the advocacy group, Rabbit.org Foundation, which wanted stores to stop all rabbit sales. The group expressed concerns that impulsive customers are unaware of the extraordinary costs of caring for the animal. 

"This decision by Petco is a pivotal milestone in our efforts to protect rabbits from neglect, abandonment, and exploitation," the advocacy group said in an online statement.