Make Mine Chocolate! enlists the support of pet shops, asking retailers to suspend the sale of rabbits over the Easter period in order to raise awareness of the welfare needs of the pet rabbit. With the amnesty in place to prevent impulse purchasing, retailers have an ideal opportunity to discuss responsible rabbit ownership, or alternative pet options , with potential new owners before a mistake is made and the rabbit ends up in rescue or something much worse.
This is the third year the rabbit sale amnesty has been held. Fantastic support was seen in 2011, with retailers really engaging with the campaign. Some swapped rabbits for chocolate bunnies in their animal enclosures, others worked with their local rabbit rescues, holding rabbit welfare events in store and handing out Make Mine Chocolate! care advice to potential new owners. Any retailer wishing to get involved in the 2012 campaign should contact Make Mine Chocolate! via email (info@makeminechocolate.org.uk) or the website makeminechocolate.org.uk. The 2011 Animal Wellbeing report produced by the PDSA once again highlighted the welfare crisis surrounding many of the estimated 1.6 million rabbits in the UK. Around half the UK’s rabbit population is being fed an inappropriate diet, with 67% living a life of isolation. An amazing 54% are not registered with a veterinarian and over half are unvaccinated against the life threatening diseases Myxomatosis and VHD.
In addition, the 2010 rescue survey carried out by Make Mine Chocolate! revealed around 60% of rabbits entering rescue did so within the first year of ownership. This confirms that the long term commitment of responsible rabbit ownership is not always being made by the owner at the time of purchase.
Make Mine Chocolate! is working with retailers in order to ensure potential owners have all the information they need to give the rabbits in their care the long and happy life they deserve; this is great for the rabbit and fantastic for the retailer who can then benefit from associated product sales for many years to come.
The Make Mine Chocolate! amnesty packs, which include free posters and care advice leaflets can be obtained by registering at www.makeminechocolate.org.uk.
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