Petco stops rabbit sales and encourages adoption after pressure from animal rights groups

Petco, the San Diego-based animal goods and services brand, announced this week it will shift from selling rabbits to putting them up for adoption.

Petco was not selling rabbits on a wide scale, but it had launched a pilot in which it put “fewer than 50 rabbits” up for sale at certain of its stores across the U.S. This move brings the company’s practices in closer alignment with animal rights groups, which have long pushed for an end to rabbit sales.

“The decision was made in line with the company’s longstanding Think Adoption First philosophy — which encourages prospective pet parents to consider adopting a homeless pet rather than purchasing one, whenever possible — and feedback received in partnership with animal rescue and welfare organizations nationwide,” the company said in a news release.

As a result, the miniature rabbits in stock at certain Petco stores as part of the pilot are now available for adoption.

Beyond making the pilot animals adoptable, Petco will also focus on “helping find homes for the thousands of rabbits already looking for loving families,” said Benjamin Thiele-Long, who oversees communications, and environmental, social and governance for Petco, in a statement.

The decision comes after Petco met with animal rights groups including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

“We’re cheering on Petco’s return to its adoption-only policy and reminding everyone that ‘adopt-don’t shop’ is always the right choice when it comes to dogs, rabbits or any other animal,” PETA’s Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman wrote in a statement.

Animal welfare group Rabbit.org Foundation also congratulated Petco. “This decision by Petco is a pivotal milestone in our efforts to protect rabbits from neglect, abandonment, and exploitation,” Paige Parsons, the president of the Rabbit.org Foundation, said on its website.