Parents are being given the opportunity to take their children to a series of fun, free workshops at Pets at Home this Easter.
Attendees can get up close and personal and learn some fun facts about small furry animals, including rabbits. Pets at Home have also announced a promotional partnership for the workshops with Sony Pictures on the new movie PETER RABBIT™, which launches in UK theatres on 16 March.
These workshops will run alongside Pets at Home’s decision to stop the sale and adoption of rabbits at all of its 440-plus stores over the Easter bank holiday weekend. The workshops are designed to educate and inform future pet owners on the importance of responsible pet ownership.
Each year, customer interest in rabbits increases at Easter due to their association with this time of year. Customers will not be able to buy or adopt a rabbit from Good Friday to Easter Monday but are invited to take part in these free workshops over the Easter holidays and weekend.
Peter Pritchard, CEO of Pets at Home, said: “Our decision to stop the sale and adoption of rabbits during Easter has been made to educate potential owners on the importance of responsible pet ownership.
“Our informative workshops will help families understand what’s involved in being a responsible pet owner. What’s more they’re also a fun and free way to learn about small furry animals and rabbits during the holidays.”
Pets at Home’s workshops aim to promote awareness of rabbit welfare and help prospective rabbit owners make an informed decision about the long-term commitment that comes with owning a pet.
To reinforce this message, the My Pet Pals Easter activity club will be held from 24th March to 15th April at Pets at Home stores throughout the holidays, where fun, interactive activities will educate the next generation of pet owners on how to care for small furry animals, responsibly.
The store team will be on hand to share their knowledge, quizzing the children on pet care and the welfare needs of small furry animals including rabbits - shelter, food and water, good health, appropriate company and the right living environment.
To find your nearest workshop, visit www.petsathome.com/workshops
Pets at Home has also shared a list of considerations for prospective rabbit owners:
- Rabbits are sociable creatures that can make wonderful pets for experienced pet owners, and are naturally social, intelligent and inquisitive animals
- Rabbits can become friendly and confident around people if gently handled from a young age
- Housing will take up a significant area of your house and garden - you’ll need to make sure they have a large area at home
- Initial set-up costs for their hutch and accessories can be expensive at first
- Rabbits have very distinctive personalities and, once tamed, love spending time with you and other compatible rabbits (rabbits should ideally live in pairs)
- Rabbits can enrich your children’s learning environment, helping them to understand more about animals and the natural world. They make suitable pets for older children, with adult supervision
- Rabbits take time to clean out, feed and health check every day
- Owners must consider the costs of vet bills, bedding and food costs throughout the rabbits’ lives and must be able to commit to these on-going costs
- Rabbits must also be vaccinated and neutered. It’s worth noting that unneutered rabbits can become aggressive when they mature and are prone to cancer of the reproductive tract – so neutering is not just to avoid unwanted babies
- A decision to get a rabbit should not be taken lightly; rabbits can live up to 12 years so are a long-term commitment
- Rabbits prefer the company of other rabbits – the temperament of any other pets you currently have, such as cats and dogs, should be considered when welcoming a rabbit into your home. Rabbits shouldn’t be housed with guinea pigs as they have opposing diets and communicate in different way.
