SAN FRANCISCO (Sept. 18, 2024) — On Sept. 13, In Defense of Animals and local animal rights advocates protested at a Petco in San Francisco to condemn the company’s shocking decision to resume rabbit sales in the Southern U.S. Activists held signs reading “Petco, don't sell rabbits” and “Partner with rabbit rescues, not rabbit breeders.” A large banner draped over the entrance declared “Petco gets blood money from tortured bunnies,” and large signs covered the windows with the message “Boycott Petco.”

In 2008, Petco stopped selling rabbits as part of its “Think Adoption First” initiative, committing to encourage adoption from shelters and rabbit rescues. But now, in an alarming move, the company has reversed its stance, rolling out a pilot program to sell rabbits in 25 stores across Arkansas, North Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, Mississippi, Virginia, Tennessee, and Florida. Rabbit sales at pet stores are illegal in California where the protest took place.

Dolly's Dream Home Rabbit Rescue in Missouri has condemned a host of welfare issues, including inappropriate diet and housing, and potentially harmful neutering of baby rabbits. Of particular concern is conditions at the rabbit mill — Petco suppliers have a sickening history of gross neglect and gassing or freezing animals to death. The company’s confirmation it is only selling males raises concerns about surplus females left behind. Petco insiders have shared how they expect “returns of dead, mentally harmed, or sick rabbits.”

Petco’s response has been to supply store managers with a protest response and scripted talking points that dismiss welfare concerns and mislead customers. Disturbingly, the company is pushing rabbits as “wonderful house pets for busy families,” a clear attempt to mismarket these delicate exotic animals and downplay their specialized daily care requirements.

Rabbits are on sale for $250-$300 each, incentivizing the cruel breeder supply chain. This reckless move adds to the burden on already overwhelmed shelters and rescues. Advocates are urgently calling on Petco to permanently end the sale of rabbits and recommit to promoting adoption to help reduce the shelter crisis. A petition has already amassed 50,000 signatures, and Petco executives’ inboxes have been flooded with over 9,500 emails from concerned citizens.

Petco’s cruelty doesn’t stop at rabbits. The company is also in hot water for keeping tropical fish in miserable confinement. Most betta fish Petco sells are sourced from breeding farms — the underwater equivalent of puppy mills. These farms house fish in small containers of putrid 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.

“Petco’s decision to sell rabbits again after admitting it adds to the shelter crisis is a horribly irresponsible and cruel move that will prove fatal for many,” said Brittany Michelson, Campaign Specialist for Captive Animals at In Defense of Animals. “The company has allowed greed and profit to override its previous commitment to support adoption. After sixteen years of doing the right thing, Petco’s timing couldn’t be worse. We are in the midst of the worst shelter crisis this country has ever faced.”

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. By selling rabbits, Petco is directly worsening the shelter crisis and fuelling abandonment and neglect.

The director of Penny and Wild Smalls of South Florida says the situation is nothing short of infuriating. “As if selling rabbits in stores again wasn’t bad enough, they chose a location less than ten miles from a humane society already overwhelmed with rabbits… and the store is located between three colleges where students impulsively browse pets to stick in dorm rooms.”

Instead of sourcing rabbits from breeders and profiting off sales to impulsive shoppers, Petco should be working with shelters and rescue organizations to promote the adoption of rabbits. Rabbits sourced from breeders often live in poor conditions and experience various health issues. They also commonly suffer from stress, due to the conditions, transport to stores, and exposure to busy pet store settings. Rabbits who are bred for certain features often suffer from serious health issues, including molar spurs, malocclusion, and blocked tear ducts which can require costly veterinary care. 

“Petco should absolutely remain committed to promoting the adoption of rabbits,” said Bay Area animal rights organizer Erik Allen. “Selling them again only perpetuates irresponsible breeding practices, adds to the overpopulation crisis in shelters, and puts pressure on rescue organizations whose resources are limited.”

Petco is once again prioritizing profits over the well-being of rabbits and choosing corporate greed at the expense of animal welfare. In Defense of Animals stands with activists and other organizations in urging Petco to permantently end the sale of rabbits and betta fish.

### NOTES ###

Stores receiving rabbits are rumored to include:

• 1614: Jonesboro, Arkansas 
• 2778: Hickory, North Carolina 
• 2734: Evans, Georgia 
• 1494: Lake Charles, Louisiana 
• 1480: Lafayette, Louisiana 
• 2716: Spartanburg, South Carolina 
• 1722: Duluth, Georgia 
• 1668: Meridian, Mississippi 
• 1710: Snellville, Georgia 
• 2757: Fredericksburg, Virginia 
• 1892: Sterling, Virginia 
• 2759: Columbus, Georgia 
• 1547: Woodruff Road (Greenville), South Carolina 
• 1713: Buford (Mall of Georgia), Georgia 
• 2556: Clermont, Florida 
• 2720: Durham (South Square), North Carolina 
• 5513: Henderson, North Carolina 
• 2705: Warrenton, Virginia 
• 1637: Cookeville, Tennessee 
• 1667: Murfreesboro, Tennessee 
• 2764: Cumming, Georgia 
• 1544: Franklin, Tennessee 
• 1897: Hampton, Virginia 
• 2559: Davie Plantation, Florida 
• 1879: Milton, Georgia

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:

https://www.idausa.org/campaign/animal-companions/latest/petco-end-rabbit-sales

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