'Not just for Easter!' Pets at Home 'bans Britons from buying' rabbits across 460 UK stores

This is not a new initiative for the pet retailer, which implements this policy annually to encourage responsible pet ownership.

The company wants potential owners to carefully consider the long-term commitment required before bringing a rabbit home.

A spokesperson for Pets at Home explained: "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."

The company emphasises that rabbits are not the 'easy' pets many assume them to be.

"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."

Rabbits are a popular pet in the UK, with an estimated 800,000 currently kept as pets.

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The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) estimates that 2% of UK adults own a rabbit.

However, animal rights group PETA has highlighted concerning statistics about Easter rabbit purchases.

According to PETA, around 80% of rabbits adopted or purchased during the Easter season are either abandoned or have died within a year.

This alarming figure underscores the importance of Pets at Home's temporary sales pause.

PETA believes the retailer should go further with its rabbit policy.

Speaking to ITV News, PETA Vice President Elisa Allen said: "Easter cheer is short-lived for the thousands of rabbits bought on a whim and dumped at already-inundated rescues."

"It's only right that Pets at Home suspend their sale of rabbits over the period, but as rabbit abandonment isn't only a holiday phenomenon, the company ought to make their pause permanent and stop selling these sensitive animals year-round."

Allen emphasised that rabbits require adequate space, enrichment, specialised diets and veterinary care.

She added: "Anyone with the necessary time, love, and money to care for a rabbit should avoid supporting the cruel pet trade and visit a rescue to adopt a pair (or more) waiting for 'somebunny' to love them."

During the Easter weekend (April 18 to 21), signs will replace rabbits at Pets at Home stores.

These notices will inform customers: "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."

The signs will conclude: "We pride ourselves on putting pets before profit, so we've made the decision not to sell or adopt rabbits over the Easter weekend."

The initiative mirrors other well-known animal welfare campaigns in the UK.

Perhaps the most famous example is The Dog's Trust 1978 slogan "A dog is for life, not just for Christmas".

Both campaigns address similar concerns about impulse purchases of animals during holiday periods.

By temporarily halting rabbit sales, Pets at Home is following this established tradition of putting animal welfare before commercial interests.

The retailer's approach acknowledges that proper pet ownership requires thoughtful consideration rather than seasonal sentiment.