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, and this reversal happened just one month after the program began!

This decision follows immense pressure from animal rights advocates, including In Defense of Animals, after we held a protest in San Francisco to help amplify the voices of overwhelmed rescues, and flooded Petco executives with the voices of over 8,500 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.

On September 13, 2024, we joined local animal advocates in hosting 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 animal companions 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 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. This misstep with rabbits highlights the urgent need for the company to permanently end the sale of all animals bred for profit. 

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.

If you haven’t already done so, please contact Petco to demand an end to its betta fish killing.