Welfare organisation 'Make Mine Chocolate!' is calling on pet shops throughout the UK to support the Easter Rabbit Sale Amnesty in order to stop the impulse buying of rabbits.
The Easter Rabbit Sale Amnesty, being held from March 24 to April 6, prevents people from buying a rabbit on impulse at Easter just because the rabbit looks cute, cuddly and fluffy.
By asking pet shops around the country to suspend the sale of rabbits during the two-week Easter period, potential new owners have some ‘cooling off’ time to allow them to think about the long term commitments they are about to make – before it is too late.
The Amnesty also works to raise awareness of rabbit welfare issues.
Retailers can obtain free Rabbit Information sheets from Make Mine Chocolate! to give out to potential new owners, and to existing rabbit owners too.
In the weeks and months after Easter, already overcrowded rescue centres are inundated with calls from owners wishing to give up their rabbit because they are no longer wanted and the reality of cleaning, feeding and expensive vet trips is too much.
Those that don’t make it to rescue are doomed to a life of solitary confinement in a small hutch at the end of the garden, or even dumped and left to fend for themselves – usually ending in tragedy.
A UK-wide rescue survey carried out by Make Mine Chocolate! confirms that a large number of owners do not consider the long term commitment before getting their rabbit. In the region of 60% of rabbits entering rescue do so within the first year of ownership – of these, 40% have been owned for less than 6 months.
These statistics show that buying on impulse without long term consideration for what is required for the rabbits' welfare is a major problem. It is currently estimated there are around 67,000 rabbits in rescue annually.
If you run a pet shop and would like to find out more, visit the Make Mine Chocolate! website at www.makeminechocolate.org.uk or email info@makeminechocolate.org.uk.
Make Mine Chocolate! has been running in the UK since 2008 and exists for the purpose of raising awareness of rabbit welfare needs in the UK, with specific focus around the Easter rabbit impulse purchase issue.
