Pets at Home announces UK-wide 'ban' over common Easter problem (2025)

The store will prevent people from buying or adopting this animal over the Easter weekend due to welfare concerns

Pets at Home has brought back a temporary ban on the sale of certain animals in every store this Easter. The ban is part of the retailer's pledge to end impulsive rabbit purchases during Easter.

In the past, people have bought their children pet rabbits to celebrate Easter without full awareness of the care involved. This has sadly led to a huge surge of animal rescue shelters being forced to bear the true consequences.

This weekend, all 460 Pets at Home stores across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will implement the 'ban' (April 18-21). This is nothing new, as the retailer has been doing this for many years to avoid enabling cruel behaviour.

On the temporary measure, a Pets at Home spokesperson said: "Every year, we make the decision to temporarily halt rabbit sales over the Easter weekend. This is a deliberate action to discourage any impulsive choices about owning a rabbit, given their close association with this time of year.

"Rabbits make wonderful pets, however, they are not the 'easy' pet that they can often be thought of as. Rabbits have complex needs, including specialised dietary requirements and environments, and we always want to educate and encourage careful reflection on how those needs will be met before homing."

PETA highlights a distressing figure, noting that 80% of rabbits bought during Easter are either abandoned or die within a year. This fact is attributable to the impulsiveness behind such acquisitions and a misunderstanding of the extent of care that rabbits require reports the Mirror.

Rabbits and eggs are associated with Easter, as they are seen as symbols of spring and new life. Over many years, they have become integrated into the holiday's tradition and evolved into the popular modern Easter Bunny, which is often depicted delivering eggs, sweets, and other treats to children for Easter.

Pets at Home is taking a stand this Easter by banning the sale and adoption of rabbits during the celebration period in a bid to promote responsible pet ownership. The store will be replacing all in-store bunnies with this written statement.

The sign says: "Owning a rabbit can be very rewarding and enjoyable. It's also a long-term commitment that you need to make sure you're ready for. We pride ourselves on putting pets before profit, so we've made the decision not to sell or adopt rabbits over the Easter weekend (April 18 to 21)."

Acknowledging the advice from animal welfare charities like the RSPCA, which discourages the impulse purchase of rabbits around the festive time due to their long-term care needs, Pets at Home is aligning with the cause. The RSPCA has extensive guidance available on their website for those considering a rabbit as a pet.

The retailer’s focus will be on educating families about all aspects of pet care during the Easter holiday through its My Pet Pals initiative – an enriching programme featuring interactive experiences and engaging activities designed for the whole family.

Pets at Home stores across the country are set to host these complimentary sessions aimed at fostering a better understanding of various pets on Good Friday (April 18) and Saturday, April 19, with several slots still open for booking throughout the Easter school break.