Pets at Home has taken a stand this Easter, implementing a temporary sales freeze on rabbits throughout its 460 UK stores from April 18-21. The initiative comes as part of the pet retailer's efforts to curb the impulsive purchase of bunnies over the holiday period, which often results in ill-informed owners struggling with the demands of rabbit care.

The chain will enforce the pause in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland; it's not a new approach for the firm, which has applied similar restrictions over past Easters.

A spokesperson from Pets at Home announced: "Every year, we make the decision to temporarily halt rabbit sales over the Easter weekend. This is a deliberate action to discourage any impulsive choices about owning a rabbit, given their close association with this time of year."

They continued: "Rabbits make wonderful pets, however, they are not the 'easy' pet that they can often be thought of as. Rabbits have complex needs, including specialised dietary requirements and environments, and we always want to educate and encourage careful reflection on how those needs will be met before homing."

Animal welfare organisation PETA highlights the grim reality facing Easter bunnies, stating that 80% of rabbits bought during this season either get abandoned or die within their first year. Such figures underscore the lack of preparation and understanding among buyers when it comes to the long-term responsibilities of caring for these animals, reports the Mirror.

The typical Easter practice of promoting bunnies is set to take a back seat as Pets at Home announces a replacement with informative signs in stores in the run-up to the holiday. Pets at Home revealed the sign's message online ahead of enforcing their 'ban' on the sale or adoption of rabbits.

The sign states: "Owning a rabbit can be very rewarding and enjoyable. It's also a long-term commitment that you need to make sure you're ready for. We pride ourselves on putting pets before profit, so we've made the decision not to sell or adopt rabbits over the Easter weekend (April 18 to 21)."

Charities like the RSPCA strongly discourage buying rabbits as Easter gifts due to them being living beings with significant care needs, not simply toys. To help would-be owners, the RSPCA has extensive resources available on its website.

This Easter, Pets at Home aims to lead the charge in encouraging responsible pet ownership by starting with the education of families and shifting perceptions. Their My Pet Pals scheme offers an engaging and informative journey into the world of pets at Pets at Home, complete with activities to delight the entire family.

Free sessions will be offered at local stores during the extended Easter weekend, including Good Friday (April 18) and Saturday, April 19. Additional dates throughout the school holiday week remain open for those looking for family-friendly activities.