SAN FRANCISCO (Sept. 24, 2024) — In a major win for rabbit advocates and rescue groups nationwide, Petco has announced the immediate end of its pilot program to sell rabbits in select stores, just one month after the program began. This decision follows immense pressure from animal rights advocates, including In Defense of Animals, who held a protest in San Francisco, amplified the voices of overwhelmed rescues, and flooded Petco executives with over 10,000 emails from concerned citizens.

Petco's attempt to resume rabbit sales was a stark reversal of its 2008 commitment to an adoption-only policy under its “Think Adoption First” initiative. The company has now reaffirmed its original policy, citing overwhelming feedback from customers and partners in the animal welfare community. The pilot program, which involved the sale of fewer than 50 rabbits, sparked outrage as it threatened to exacerbate the already dire shelter crisis.

“In Defense of Animals and our supporters made it clear that Petco's move was cruel, irresponsible, and dangerous for rabbits and the rescues already stretched to their limits,” said Brittany Michelson, Campaign Specialist for Captive Animals at In Defense of Animals. “We are grateful that Petco has listened to the voices of animal advocates and the public by recommitting to an adoption-only policy for rabbits, cats, and dogs.”

On September 13, In Defense of Animals and local animal advocates hosted a powerful demonstration at a San Francisco Petco store, where activists held signs reading, “Petco don’t sell rabbits” and “Partner with rabbit rescues, not breeders.” The protest highlighted the welfare concerns surrounding rabbit breeding and the immense burden this program placed on already overtaxed rescues and shelters.

Rabbits, the third most commonly surrendered companion animals in the U.S., are already overwhelming shelters due to irresponsible breeding and impulse purchases. Petco's pilot program would have worsened this crisis, but thanks to the swift and decisive actions of activists, the company has ended the program before significant harm was done.

Petco has confirmed that all remaining rabbits from the pilot will now be offered for adoption and is offering a 20% discount on supplies for those who adopt a rabbit from a rescue through October. This is a step in the right direction, but advocates will continue to hold the company accountable.

“It’s not just rabbits who suffer at Petco,” added Michelson. “This misstep with rabbits highlights the urgent need for the company to permanently end the sale of all animals bred for profit. Betta fish are sold in tiny plastic cups and often suffer and die. We urge Petco to immediately end its highly controversial practice of confining sensitive animals.”

Petco also faces criticism for keeping tropical fish in miserable conditions. Most betta fish Petco sells are sourced from breeding farms — the underwater equivalent of puppy mills. These farms house fish in small containers of stale water. When they are ready for sale, the fish are packed into tiny bags filled with chemicals, starved for days during shipment, and panic-stricken from tight confinement. Many die before reaching stores. 

Once at Petco, betta fish are kept in tiny cups without filtration or heating, despite being tropical fish. Many arrive at stores sick and are denied proper care. Petco irresponsibly markets these complex animals as “starter pets,” perpetuating their neglect and suffering.

Members of the public are encouraged to contact Petco to demand an end to its betta fish killing.

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CONTACTS: 

In Defense of Animals, Brittany Michelson, brittany@idausa.org, 928-420-0727
Protest organizer, Erik Allen, geesedefender@gmail.com, 707-695-4799

MORE INFORMATION:

Alert: Urge Petco to Halt Unethical Rabbit Sales

Shelters are in crisis, with around twice as many animals surrendered as adopted and killings at a three-year high. Rabbits are the most commonly surrendered animals after dogs and cats, and shelters and rescue organizations are already at capacity with rabbits needing homes. Millions of rabbits are currently in shelters, given up mainly due to lack of ability or interest in meeting rabbit care demands — causes driven by impulse buying.

In Defense of Animals is an international animal rescue and protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 41-year history of defending animals, the environment, and their guardians through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, rural Mississippi, and central California. www.idausa.org

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