Pets at Home has responded to our separate petition urging them to stop selling unvaccinated rabbits. That petition was signed by over 2,000 people, here is the link: https://www.change.org/p/peter-pritchard-pets-at-home-stop-selling-unvaccinated-rabbits
This is the response received - although the petition was addressed to Peter Pritchard CEO, the reply came from customer service.
We are aware of your petition. I believe you know already that we have an expert team, headed by an experienced vet, who are responsible for the pet welfare standards in our stores, in our dedicated transport fleet and at our breeders. They consult with internationally recognised veterinary Specialists to ensure we have access to the best and most up-to-date scientific advice. We rely on this scientific advice, rather than the content of petitions, to make certain that our rabbits are protected from RHD2 virus. Based on this this advice, for some time now our rabbits have all been given a temporary vaccine for RHD2 by the breeders before they reach our stores. However, it is misleading to suggest that selling vaccinated young rabbits somehow negates the risk of a pet contracting RHD2, as full immunity can only be maintained by a programme of vaccination. This is why we continue to advise that customers consult with their vet when they purchase a rabbit from us, and why we provide vouchers to have certain important vaccinations free of charge to encourage customers to register their rabbit with a vet.
I replied to the email and asked for clarification with regards to the type of vaccine used (Eravac or Filavac), at what age exactly were the rabbits vaccinated, what proof does Pets at Home have that each rabbit is vaccinated by the breeder and would they be able to provide their customers with a vaccination card showing the date and type of vaccination given to each rabbit.
This is the answer I received to my further questions:
Thanks for your e-mail. Our approach has been absolutely consistent – we follow the best and most up-to-date scientific and veterinary advice and will continue to do so.
As you can see Pets at Home has refused to discuss the matter further and provide proofs of their claims despite stating below their customer service signature that the way they care for their pets is ‘very transparent’ and they have ‘nothing to hide’.
The current situation is this: The rabbits sold by Pets at Home are not vaccinated for VHD and Myxomatosis. Pets at Home claim that the rabbits are given a ‘temporary vaccine’ for the VHD2 strain before arriving in store but they are not willing to provide any proofs. Pets at Home also admits that the rabbits are still at risk. The rabbits can be weeks or months before being purchased or adopted but Pets at Home won’t take any responsibility and arrange the vaccines despite having vets on site. Instead, customers are given a voucher to vaccinate the rabbits for VHD and Myxomatosis, not VHD2 which is currently killing rabbits everywhere in the UK. Unfortunately in many cases the customers never bother to vaccinate their rabbits with the free voucher, let alone arrange the separate VHD2 vaccine. Pets at Home will not ensure that this happens. Do Pets at Home really put pets first?
Pets at Home has had outbreaks of VHD2 in their stores. Customers have purchased rabbits who died from it a few days later. VHD2 is now present all over the UK and Pets at Home is still not acting responsibly.
Meanwhile good rescue centres will ensure full vaccination prior to rehoming because THEY put the animals first and ensure they do not contribute to the spread of VHD2.
Pets at Home’s lack of care about this issue is only one reason among many others why they should not be selling rabbits.
The vaccines petition is now closed. Please keep sharing this current petition urging Pets at Home to stop selling rabbits altogether:
Thank you for putting the animals first!
Isabelle Rineau
@BaBBACampaign
info@babba.org
https://www.facebook.com/BabbaCampaign
Watch the Video on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/G8_vjBOcX0w