No Easter rabbit sales at Bexhill pet shop

No bunnies will available at Pets at Home from today (Friday, March 25) until Tuesday, March 29.

Interest in buying a rabbit increases every year around Easter so instead the shop will be holding free workshops to educate children about how to look after their pets.

Store manager Deborah Lavender said: “We pride ourselves on putting pets before profit, so we’ve decided not to sell rabbits over the Easter weekend to reduce the number of healthy rabbits left homeless as a result of an impulse purchase.

“Young pet lovers in Bexhill can attend our fun workshops to get an insight into the level of care needed to ensure these types of pets live happy, healthy lives.

“They also give parents a fun activity to entertain their children during the holidays.”

Rabbits are the third most popular choice of pet for British children and studies show the positive impact they can have on children’s behaviour, according to Pets at Home.

In a study, 72 per cent of parents agreed that owning a pet has helped with their child’s anxiety.

Rabbit owners in particular (60 per cent) said their child had become more responsible and 57 per cent of parents said they had seen an improvement in their children’s learning difficulties since getting a rabbit.

Overall, one in five parents saw an improvement in a child’s behaviour.

The My Pet Pals Activity Club will help families to make an informed decision about the long-term commitment and responsibilities that come with pet ownership.

The store team will be on hand to share their knowledge, quizzing the children on pet care and the welfare needs of small animals.

After completing the workshops, each child will receive a certificate and sticker, and a pet promise card where they make a pledge to look after any pet they have according to the five welfare needs, covering habitat, health, wellbeing, diet and behaviour.

Each child will also get the chance to enter the stores colouring competition.

To find out more and to book, visit www.petsathome.com/workshops.

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