The BaBBA (Ban all Baby Bunny ads) campaigns for the bunnies around the world that are being sold every day from pet stores and breeders and wants to promote adoption as a viable option to anyone looking for a bunny rather than purchasing one from a pet store and only from reputable rescue centers.
Rabbits are one of the most popular pets in the U.K with them ranking third on the list overall, yet they sadly still remain one of the most misunderstood and abandoned.
They live approximately 12 years if well cared for which often comes as a surprise to first-time bunny owners who haven’t done their research. They need a lot of care and attention as well as a carefully trained eye to spot when they’re not feeling too well.
They suffer from bouts of intestinal issues, aka G-I stasis, which needs a rabbit savvy vet to help bring them back to optimum health. This, of course, costs more money for us hoomins because rabbits are classed as exotic animals. On average rabbits can cost up to £10,000 in their lifetime!
RAWF (Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund) state “There are 67,000 rabbits going into rescues in the UK every year. Rescue rabbits are already health checked neutered and vaccinated”
This sadly happens after being bought on a whim usually for a child but often end up neglected or abandoned.
Others are often resold online or given away without the correct equipment of cages meaning they are crammed into tiny cages or hutches and deprived of exercise and veterinary care.
Ban all Baby Bunny Ads is doing an amazing job informing people about bunnies but they need your help!
They are currently running the Pets at Home, STOP selling rabbits altogether! The campaign has raised 22,428 signatures out of their total aim which was 25,000. If you haven’t already signed this petition we highly urge you too, there is also an option to donate and share the petition.
The Pets At Home website states that they have a “vigorous system for checking potential pet owners” and claim to have an expert team who carry out these checks. Another quote from their website is
Our core belief is that pets always come before profit
It seems like Pets at Home are trying to raise awareness about bunnies as at easter each year they suspend the sale and adoption of rabbits and organize ‘fun and free’ workshops which they welcome kids to come into their stores to interact with the rabbits and learn more about them.
In 2018 Pets at Home also used the promotion of the Peter Rabbit film to promote their workshops in cinemas, on billboards, children TV and more. The workshops take place at over 440 stores nationwide and BaBBA state that this irresponsibly as it is “giving ideas to thousands of children” who then will possibly want a bunny afterward.
It is also important to note that whilst Pets at Home do not sell bunnies over the Easter weekend to take away they do sell them in exchange for a ticket which you can then bring back on the following Tuesday to collect your bunny.
The Ban all Baby Bunny Ads campaign also says that “Rescue centers also regularly pick up the pieces of Pets at Home” as they say rabbits are often mis-sexed, owners are given incorrect or little advice, at times there have been unneutered males sold together which almost always results in injuries, sick rabbits and so so many more reasons.
Pets at Home claims they put pets before profit. They need to prove it!
