It can take several weeks to several months to place your rabbit or small pet. Members of staff reported receiving insufficient training and being forced to sell animals when they weren’t supposed to and before their training was completed. Some are those that were fighting in the stores or had health issues or injuries. Predation by dogs, feral cats, even humans â are just a few of the perils a dumped rabbit faces. This included adults and unwanted babies from mis-sexed and unneutered parents. Rabbits are NOT low-maintenance pets. Turn words into actions, genuinely put pets before profit by not selling them. I hope you find a good home for the baby. No vet-check prior to sale – the rabbits are only ‘health-checked’ by a member of staff, which means that many health issues and injuries are missed out for customers to find out later. We are the number one financial supporter of pets rescues in the UK, awarding over £1 million every year through our Grant Programme. Founded by Pets at Home in 2006, Support Adoption For Pets is a registered charity that supports pet rehoming organisations all over the UK. Degus. Unneutered males sold by staff together and customers told they would be fine. How do we help? Politely tell the caller that your rabbit doesn't do well with children, isn't used to hutch-living, is scared of dogs, or whatever. Lucy’s Law coming into force in the spring will ban the sale of puppies and kittens in pet shops. Staff reports of small cages at the back of the stores where the animals are kept, waiting to be displayed for sale or being treated or quarantined. No more pets for sale would also save costs – not having to refund customers for sick or dead pets – less complaints to deal with. Others die despite the treatments leaving the owners heartbroken and the children traumatised. Pets at home rabbits for sale. Litterbox training is achieved by fastening a litterbox to the side of the cage in the corner the rabbit uses as a bathroom. Even then we can only save a few. Staff not normally aware of where the rabbits come from. For $5 to $20 you can bring home a rabbit and help reduce rabbit overpopulation and euthanasia of unwanted rabbits. Many are given away and advertised online after a few months/weeks or even days. for anyone who dosent know these are huge rabbits that would need a 6ft- 7ft cage, the hight to come within the rspca guidelines would have to be about 4-5 ft high. At House Rabbit Society, we look for indoor homes for our rabbits, so that they will enjoy lives that are both safe and social. Staff report taking poorly animals home with them to save them being put to sleep. rabbits that are pets must be able to stand on there back legs without touching the roof. Our inspectors regularly collect dumped rabbits and we believe that this is partly due to a lack of understanding around the amount of care rabbits need. There are two steps to finding homes for rabbits. The rabbits are neutered, microchipped and vaccinated against Myxomatosis and VHD, however we recommend topping up the VHD vaccine at 12 weeks of age. She told me they don't have a fixed price for them just a reasonable donation. Lot of Pets at Home rabbits end up in shelters. Many reports of rabbits sitting in the adoption section with untreated health problems. Well, rabbits are not only excellent pets also a great source of pleasure to a family. NewsNow Classifieds. Go to Finding a home for an unwanted rabbit and read what it tells you about placing your rabbit on your own. As long as you know what to expect from a pet rabbit, they have the potential to be wonderful pets. Exploiting animals for profit is unethical. Pets at Home have stopped selling chinchillas and degus on welfare grounds so why not rabbits. Follow up on any health problems with a trip to the vet, so you can tell the new owner what to expect. The questions asked by staff to assess the customers are not enough. In 2018 a survey involving three UK rescue centres revealed that the highest number of rabbits came from pet shops. 67,000 rabbits end up in rescue each year (RWAF survey published in 2012). Frequent mis-sexing by the staff (resulting in unwanted litters). Classifieds. No risk of pregnancy. we do our best to take in any pets that need our help at times may require there cage hutch ect We do drive so animals can be collected This includes spaying or neutering, litterbox training, socializing, and learning bunny's health status and personality. Customer offered another rabbit as a replacement without a post-mortem carried out (i.e. Many end up in rescue in various states of neglect. release of Peter Rabbit film in 2018. We thought of selling neutered rabbits but age is an issue. Many of the rabbits sold are siblings resulting in health issues and teeth problems (inbreeding). The ideal owner for a pet rabbit is an individual or family with the time and space to dedicate to an active pet that enjoys cuddling and playing and requires a bit of maintenance. The assistant told me its a new thing they are doing as alot of Rabbits especially need rehoming. Thousands of bunnies are rescued each year Check it out! Four weeks later he was advertised for free on Facebook because his owners didn’t want him anymore. Explore 20 listings for Unwanted pets free to good home at best prices. When kids turn 18 and go to college or look for work, itâs important that the rabbit still has a safe, loving home. Pets at Home gave a very poor response to our petition urging them to stop selling unvaccinated rabbits, claiming the baby rabbits were ‘temporarily’ vaccinated for VHD2 prior to being delivered to the stores yet they are unable to provide any proofs or vaccination cards. Some customers deliberately breed the rabbits adding to the number of rabbits needing a home. Some abandoned rabbits were found with Pets at Home microchips. The first is to prepare the rabbit for adoption. Harmful accessories also sold (e.g. Rabbits purchased from pet shops are often bought on impulse by uncommitted people who haven’t done their research. You may have to ring round a few before you find one that can help, as unfortunately most rescue centres are inundated with unwanted rabbits. This results in propagation of the virus and putting other pet rabbits at risk. Asking a $10-$20 fee in the ad excludes callers wanting a free meal for their pet reptiles. In the U.K., for instance, Pets at Home bans the sale of rabbits ahead of Easter. The more involved the owner is, the more freedom the rabbit will be given. Improved reputation. Rabbits have continuously growing teeth. harnesses) giving the wrong example. The benefits of neutering your rabbit are seen both for your rabbits and for you. If you do not have access to a printer, please arrive to your appointment 15 minutes early to complete the forms. The returned rabbits are not checked by a vet (Pets at Home say ‘Support Adoption’ do not have the funds for it) and are given away for a donation. Out of 361 rabbits of known origin, 117 rabbits (32%) came from pet shops, out of which 77 rabbits from Pets at Home (21%). Ask any bunny owner who interacts regularly with his pet ⦠Explain that you are asking questions because you want the new owner and the rabbit to be happy. Petting the rabbit (most prefer the top of the head) will teach her to look for affection from humans. Dofos Edinburgh, Dobbies garden centres). Members of staff are often inexperienced in keeping rabbits themselves and do not notice the signs of illness. By law no rabbit should be sold under the age of 8 weeks but the age of the rabbits delivered from the suppliers cannot be verified. No decent size housing available to buy. Many staff leave the company disillusioned when they realise the animals do not come first and there is only so much they can do to help. Pets at Home claims they put pets before profit. Staff don’t always separate the rabbits even when customers point out they are fighting. The time it takes is going to depend on many factors including health, age, temperament and the number of good homes available in your area. They are peaceful, comfortable to adopt, and need moderate space for maintenance. If your county isn't listed its because no shelters are currently listed in that area. The kids have lost interest is one of the main reasons why rabbits end up in rescue. Pets at Home needs to stop being part of the problem and be part of the solution, direct customers to rescue centres who will in return recommend Pets at Home for supplies. Top picture: Patch when he was rescued. These adoption centre units provide shelter for pets that can no longer be cared for by their current owners, and we do everything we can to find them a loving new home. I must admit I always want to take the animals from the Adoption section home. Please don't set him loose in the wild. Why not include rabbits and other pets since this is third party sale as well? Pregnancy is a difficult time, and rabbits do not get the emotional reward we may from reproducing. Patch was purchased from Pets at Home as a baby just after Christmas, in December 2017. Customers can lie. Cages that are spacious enough, easy to clean, and easy for your rabbit to get in and out of will make sharing your home with a rabbit so much better. Show rabbits and rare breeds can cost over $100. We take in hundreds of unwanted rabbits into our centres each year, as often owners don't realise the responsibility they are taking on with rabbits. They may have space to be able to take them, or may get back in touch with you if they do not have space immediately. Lucyâs Law coming into force in the spring will ban the sale of puppies and kittens in pet shops. Search. By the time the owners notice the babies and separate the male, the female is usually pregnant again. Customers often feel they have to rescue the rabbits from Pets at Home and bring them home to take care of them properly. Many of the adoption rabbits in the stores are actually those they cannot sell. Suppliers and breeding conditions unknown. were do pets at home think you are going to get a gage to fit the rabbit. Somewhere away from the public eye, there are mothers used as breeding machines to supply pet stores. Rabbits sold with unsuitable accommodation (small cages and hutches). It also insures that no more unwanted rabbits will be produced after the rabbit leaves your home. The rabbits we sell are not siblings so no risk of inbreeding. This time of year, âpetâ shops do big business in Easter bunnies, sending impulsive new rabbit guardians home woefully unprepared to care for these rambunctious, quirky, and high-maintenance animals. Even then we can only save a few. Rabbits promoted to kids via workshops during all school holidays and playground areas incorporating rabbits within the stores, despite Pets at Home’s own rabbit care leaflet stating unsuitable for young children. Our goal is to find a happy home for every healthy and treatable animal, which we can achieve by knowing more about the animals that come into our care. Some of the rabbits are put to sleep because the customers cannot pay or do not want to pay for their treatment. Rabbits are not exotic pets ⦠The rabbits returned poorly are at risk of being put to sleep if ‘unsaleable’. The training they receive is not enough. An adult unwanted rabbit without a home is a rabbit without a home wherever you get him/her from. I know someone who worked at an animal shelter and she said that as soon as they would get rabbits in they would die of fright with all of the noise, so please use that as a last resort. Rabbits are very social as well as active and playful, forming a close bond with their owners. Consistent and fair. Rabbit Rescue Centres. Pets at Home say customers can return the rabbits if there is a problem, but they don’t always have space in the store and the customers have to be on a waiting list. Customers end up paying the vet bills and Pets at Home are often reluctant to refund and blaming the customers, despite vets confirming an existing condition. Fights and bullying within groups of rabbits kept together, resulting in injuries. Many of these rabbits are sold for a cheap donation and end up in the wrong hands. If you are concerned that a few unwanted guests are making a home out of your rabbitâs fur, there are some measures you can take to provide relief and protection. A rabbit was even sold to a couple who tried to feed him to their snake. Why not include rabbits and other pets since this is third party sale as well? Some rabbits have fought to death after being kept together in a cage. Quickly find the best offers for Pets at home rabbits for sale on NewsNow Classifieds. However, small animal pets, like rabbits, are also susceptible to these pesky parasites and require protection as well. Rabbits are intelligent. Below is a list of rescue centres by county. Fights in the stores are rare. Some have been moved from other stores. That doesn't mean there aren't any, just Rabbit Rehome doesn't have the details. Our recent survey revealed that 87% of the 4247 people who took part think pet shops should stop selling rabbits, 77% of people think pet shops should stop selling pets and 59% of people boycott pet shops that sell pets. Went into my Pets at home store today (Derby) and i was very suprised to see a new section.. I would take him, but I live in Pennsylvania. Many rabbits get locked up in small cages and hutches. How soon a rabbit becomes an uncaged roommate depends on how bunny-proofed the home is and on the maturity and personality of the rabbit. Although the rabbitâs earliest relationship with humans was as a fur-and-food commodity, people were already keeping rabbits as pets by the 18th century. Spaying or neutering makes a rabbit calmer and easier to litterbox train, and thus improves the chance of being adopted as an indoor companion. Young rabbits can stay in small pens for months deprived of their basic need to run around and play. The vaccination vouchers are not always used or not used in time. Any issues we can take the rabbits back. If you do decide you can't manage him please don't take him back to pets at home. Rabbits and small furry areas turned into kids’ playgrounds in the new stores and regular dog parties organised which add to the stress of prey animals. Rabbits. If you feel the home is not suitable, make an excuse. He was extremely thin and in a terrible state of neglect. If you're planning to rehome a dog, you'll no doubt have done your research and planned how you'll take care of it. Another House Rabbit Society criteria is that an adult, not a child, be the rabbit's primary care-giver. Keep your rabbit healthy by following our health and welfare advice, including information about how to check your rabbit's health. Because of the overwhelming number of unwanted rabbits, we are only able to take in rabbits scheduled to be destroyed at animal shelters. Your best hope is to house the rabbit yourself (or board her) and advertise until you find the right home. Pets at Home needs to realise that they are contributing a great deal to rabbit suffering and stop selling rabbits altogether. Hey there, I actually work at a pets at home in the south east, most pets at home don't reaccept pets but they do have a rehoming section called support adoption for pets, it's a ⦠In relation to our VIP rabbits, they come from a breeder on the continent, their facilities have been inspected by our Pets at home Head of Pets, who herself is an experienced Veterinary Surgeon. The list below is based on complaints and feedback from customers, ex-members of staff and rescue centres. Pets at Home has said it will ban the sale or adoption of rabbits at all 440 of its stores over the Easter holiday weekend. Advertising is as simple as placing ads in local newspapers and on veterinarian, pet supply and supermarket bulletin boards. Once bunny is using the box, try him in a safe, bunny-proofed room with one or more litterboxes. The rabbits become rapidly unwanted when the novelty wears off. When placing ads, state your rabbit's strong points: "neutered," "house-trained," "affectionate," friendly." The pet owners who currently boycott for ethical reasons would shop at Pets at Home again. Add in poisoning, hawk attack, exposure, cars, starvation/dehydration â and their chances of survival are slim to none. people willing to commit to owning a rabbit will gladly pay an adoption fee. Are they sent back to the breeder? rabbits are still sold as Easter gifts. Many customers don’t return the rabbits they no longer want because they prefer to sell them (Pets at Home don’t refund) together with the cage and accessories, or they want the rabbits to be collected for convenience, or they feel bad for returning the animals. An animal shouldn’t be on display in a shop. If you haven’t signed the petition yet, please do so here: https://www.change.org/p/peter-pritchard-ceo-pets-at-home-stop-selling-rabbits-altogether. Instead of giving grants to rescue centres in an attempt to buy their silence whilst continuing to sell animals who will end up in those rescues, Pets at Home should stop selling animals altogether and advise customers to adopt. The cheapest offer starts at £2,750. I'd recommend joining a rat forum (there's one called fancy rats I think) and looking for an experienced rat owner in your area who'd be willing to take him. They remember Dave and ask after him whenever I go in. Almost 28,000 people have signed the petition urging Pets at Home to stop selling rabbits. Promotions at Easter and any other opportunity, e.g. A cage that is large enough is important for the well-being of your pet rabbit, but it is also no substitute for ample exercise and social time out of the cage. Login / Register. Pet rabbits can be taught to respond to commands using positive reward-based training. In a matter of days a neutered rabbit can be advertised as "house-trained.". The rabbit has a cage, but is allowed some supervised freedom daily. Some of the rabbits do not get treated in time and end up dying because new rabbit owners do not realise it’s serious. Instead of selling pets, Pets at Home could make good use of the space and widen the range of ethical supplies and larger housing to meet the growing customer demand for better rabbit accommodation. Pets at Home claim they don’t sell rabbits over Easter yet anyone can buy a voucher and reserve a rabbit to collect on the Tuesday. Good luck placing your rabbit. Rabbits come in many different breedslionhead, mini lop, mini rex, rex⦠Your best hope is to house the rabbit yourself (or board her) and advertise until you find the right home. Recently a customer had to buy a rabbit who was being bullied after the store assistant said he couldn’t be moved due to lack of space. A rabbit's top front teeth grow at a rate of 3mm a week! Poor or incorrect advice provided during the sale process, especially with regards to companionship and bonding. Read our article, Children and Pet Rabbits, for more information. Many of these rabbits are purchased by the parents who are unaware of rabbits’ complex needs and give them away when the kids get bored. Stressful environment within the stores (bright lights, noise, dogs barking, kids tapping on the glass of the pens, customers disturbing at any time of the day when rabbits normally sleep, rabbit used in kids’ workshops. I need to rehome my pet Buying a pet rabbit is a long term commitment - they can live 10+ years. You should carefully observe their habitat, food, lifestyle to keep them happy. Rabbit needs intensive care. Rabbits leave the stores unvaccinated (risk of VHD, VHD2, Myxomatosis) – Breakouts of VHD2 in some of the stores and customers have had rabbits dropping dead shortly after being purchased. Click here to submit a rescue centre Domestic rabbits are not equipped to survive in the wild and inevitably die horrendous deaths. Sale process not always followed: customers reporting being able to walk out with a rabbit, no questions asked. Rabbits bond closely with their owners. Selling rabbits in a shop perpetuates the idea that they are a product and a disposable commodity. Pets & Animals. They don't have a great reputation and might not tell new owners about his problems. Because of the overwhelming number of unwanted rabbits, we are only able to take in rabbits scheduled to be destroyed at animal shelters. In health issues and teeth problems ( inbreeding ) various states of neglect an animal shouldn ’ t always the... 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