Concern for the health of rabbits sold at petland.

[Germanwolfgirl]

Ok, as we all know, the most essential part of a rabbit’s diet is hay, and when they are young they especially need alfalfa hay. The last time I went to pet land to look to see if they carry oxbow for my rabbit Heidi, I saw that the small rabbits there only had pellets, a water bottle, some bedding, and a small hideaway. My concern was with the fact that there was no hay in their area at all. So I approached an employee to ask him why. He ends up making excuses saying that there is hay in the pellets. I tried to explain to him that they need a hay called alfalfa with contains high levels of protein essential for their growth, and he stands there clueless not knowing what to say, obviously uneducated about a rabbiys needs. I want to know that the regulations are for commercial sellers so that I can approach the buisness knowing what I’m talking about. This just makes me so angry that these rabbits are sold to clueless people wanting an “Easter bunny”; this sets a bad example for the customers, who most likely did not do their research. Do you have any suggestions on how I can bring my point across?

[Lola270]

HI
Yes I’ve noticed this too in pet stores. But I have no idea about the rules. Some people just want the money… Could you look it up? Sorry!

[JackRabbit]

The only store here that sells bunnies was doing the same thing — the owner’s wife felt hay was too messy. I pitched a hissy fit about it one day and even offered to pay for the hay if they’d put it in there. Even explained that putting hay in there showed people that bunnies eat hay and that it would help them sell hay. Nothing.

I went in there a few months later and the bunnies now have hay. While I HATE that they sell bunnies, the ones they get all sell within a week and one of my bunnies (Kieko) came from there (my son used to work there a couple of years ago) and she’s always been healthy. Again, I hate that they sell them, but I have to give them a little credit since they’re now feeding them Oxbow Junior Rabbit food and giving them decent hay, even if it is so they can sell the other products. They still hate to see me coming because I check out the animal section carefully, and I try to only buy things from them (litter) when it saves me a ton of money on sale.

As long as the animals are kept in clean cages and are being given pellets and water, they’re not considered neglected so there’s not much you can do. My advice is to bug the crap out of them (without getting thrown out) and butt in when you see someone looking at the buns or bunny products and educate the customer yourself. Its rude, but if it results in the bunny having a better life, then WTH.

[Deleted User]

Posted By JackRabbit on 4/04/2015 12:35 PM
  They still hate to see me coming

I’d do anything to see YOU coming!  Wishful thinking…..

But yep – nag the $*&! out of them….. they’ll get the hint, eventually???

[LBJ10]

JR is right. I don’t believe there is any regulation that says they need to have hay. They need to have “food” and water and they need to be kept in sanitary conditions. If that is what they are doing, then they aren’t doing anything illegal. Most of those bunnies will not be there long, so what they are fed there probably doesn’t matter a whole lot. What they get in their new homes is what will matter. So yes, I agree with JR that having hay in with the bunnies being sold would help potential buyers realize that bunnies eat hay.

[Beka27]

Depending on the store (if it is a chain vs. a private store), the guidelines regarding what is in there and what brands may come down from corporate offices. So try contacting corporate or the regional manager if you’re concerned about their care.

[Author]

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