Petco’s Rabbit Reversal: Déjà Vu All Over Again...
Petco's Unethical Capitulations: Responding to Public Pressure While Ignoring Broader Animal Welfare Concerns
In what feels like déjà vu all over again, Petco has once again announced it will cease selling rabbits in its stores following public pressure. Since 1994, the company has reversed its decision on rabbit sales three times, signaling not just inconsistency but raising serious questions about its corporate ethics. Is this truly a commitment to animal welfare or just a reaction to mounting public outrage?
If Petco wants to prove its ethical mettle, it must go beyond halting rabbit sales and address the plight of birds, fish, reptiles, and rodents—species that suffer even more under the pet store system. The conditions under which these small exotic animals are bred, transported, and sold are often appalling, resulting in high mortality rates and severe stress for the animals. Petco has an opportunity to demonstrate true leadership in animal welfare by ending the sale of all small exotics, not just rabbits.
The Plight of Small Exotic Animals: A Silent Crisis
Rabbits, while benefiting from this latest policy change, are far from the only victims of impulse buys and neglect. Birds, reptiles, fish, and rodents are caught in a cruel system that begins long before they ever reach the shelves of pet stores. Many are sourced from mass-breeding operations, similar to puppy mills, where profit is prioritized over the well-being of the animals. For instance, birds are often taken from the wild or bred in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions, and their transport can be fatal: an estimated 60% of wild-caught birds die before they even reach the pet store.
Reptiles and amphibians fare no better. Many are captured from the wild and shipped in cramped, unsanitary containers with no regard for their welfare. Research suggests that up to 90% of reptiles die within a year of purchase, often because their owners are ill-prepared for the complex and specialized care they require. Rodents, too, are bred in vast numbers in large-scale breeding operations, where overcrowding, poor hygiene, and inadequate veterinary care are the norm.
Fish, perhaps the most overlooked victims of the pet trade, are often transported under extreme stress. Marine fish, in particular, are captured using methods like cyanide poisoning, which damages reefs and other marine life. A staggering 80-90% of marine fish die within a year of capture due to stress, disease, and improper care during transport and in pet stores.
Corporate Responsibility: From Words to Action
Petco’s decision to end rabbit sales is an acknowledgment of the ethical concerns raised by animal advocates. However, the company’s back-and-forth stance on this issue—reversing its policy three times in 20 years—makes it clear that this is not a serious commitment to animal welfare, but a reaction to public pressure. If Petco genuinely cares about the animals in its stores, it must expand its policy to include all small exotic animals.
These creatures, like rabbits, suffer from impulse buys, inadequate care, and a lack of proper education for buyers. The vast majority of small exotic animals sold in stores are either bred in unethical conditions or captured from the wild, leading to high rates of mortality and suffering. Petco cannot claim to champion animal welfare while continuing to profit from the sale of animals that experience such extreme hardship in the process of being caught, bred, transported, and sold.
Hypocrisy in Adoption Policies
Petco’s current policy encourages the adoption of cats, dogs, and now rabbits, while continuing to sell small exotic animals. This hypocrisy undermines their “Think Adoption First” philosophy and erodes trust with consumers. Why should a bird, fish, or reptile be treated any differently from a dog, cat, or rabbit in terms of ethical standards? If Petco truly wants to align itself with the values of humane animal treatment, it must apply the same standards across the board.
By maintaining this selective ethical approach, Petco risks being seen as a company that picks and chooses which animals deserve humane treatment, based solely on public outcry. Such a piecemeal approach cannot last in an era where consumers demand transparency and consistency from the businesses they support.
The Path Forward: An Opportunity for True Leadership
Petco now stands at a crossroads. The decision to stop selling rabbits offers a moment of reflection—a chance to consider the broader implications of its pet sales policies. By ending the sale of all small exotic animals, Petco can align its practices with its stated commitment to animal welfare, prove its ethical leadership, and gain back consumer trust.
This would not be an easy decision, but it is the right one. Petco’s focus could shift toward adoption partnerships and education, offering resources to teach prospective pet owners about the unique needs of small exotic animals before they make a decision to adopt. By prioritizing education over impulse sales, Petco could become a true advocate for responsible pet ownership.
A Call to Action
First, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all who took action after my initial report by voicing your concerns to Petco. Your dedication and advocacy played a crucial role in influencing their decision, demonstrating the power of collective action in promoting animal welfare.
To help ensure continued meaningful change, readers so inclined can take the following steps:
Contact Petco CEO Joel D. Anderson at Joel.Anderson@petco.com and Petsmart CEO J.K. Symancyk at corporatecommunications@petsmart.com, calling for an end to the sale of all small exotic animals.
Boycott stores that continue to profit from these sales and instead support those that prioritize adoptions and humane treatment.
Spread the word on social media, urging others to join the movement for more ethical treatment of all pets.
Why Include Petsmart?
While this article focuses on Petco's ethical capitulations, it is essential to address Petsmart as well, given their similar practices in selling small exotic animals. Both companies are major players in the pet retail industry and have faced criticism for perpetuating the sale of animals sourced from questionable suppliers, such as Sun Pet Ltd., known for its poor animal welfare standards.
Only through sustained advocacy can we push Petco and Petsmart to enact policies that truly reflect their commitment to animal welfare. Ending the sale of all small exotic animals would be a bold step forward, reducing widespread suffering and signaling to consumers that these companies are serious about humane pet care.
Ed Boks is a former Executive Director of the New York City, Los Angeles, and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control Departments. His work has been published in the LA Times, New York Times, Newsweek, Real Clear Policy, Sentient Media, and now on Animal Politics with Ed Boks. He is available for consultations at animalpolitics8@gmail.com
Where did the other rabbits go they didn't sell? I went downstairs and cuddled all my degus because I felt so awful for all our animal friends after reading this post. :( I think it's largely the problem of capitalism, like everything else. We need to educate people that JUST because an animal is easy to breed, DOES NOT make it a source of money.