Cari
Warren Veteran
Many of you were very helpful with regards to little Stella who I saw in a P@H store. She had been there for 9 months and was spayed and the same size and age as my Stephen. I asked about bring Stephen in to gauge their reaction to each other and bonding them and was given very bad advice:
http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?340686-Told-Not-to-Bond-as-it-is-Too-Distressing
I emailed their customer services department and said:
I know it wasn't a brilliant email but I was not very happy about what had been said and it's the first time I have ever written to anyone, company or individual so I tried my best. Anyway.. I have had a reply this morning (after about 3 weeks)
I don't really feel like they answered any of my questions.
Ho hum.
http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?340686-Told-Not-to-Bond-as-it-is-Too-Distressing
I emailed their customer services department and said:
I recently went to your store at _______. You have several prominent signs in the shop stating that rabbits should be sold in pairs and that they are sociable animals. In the rehoming section of your store there is a doe rabbit who has been there since last August. She is spayed and the same age and size as my neutered buck I have at home.
I asked a member of staff about the possibility of buying her and bringing her home to meet and be bonded with my rabbit, or bringing my rabbit into the store to meet her and see how they got on. I was told in no uncertain terms that you do not sell rabbits as 'companions' and that it would be better for the rabbit in the store, and my rabbit at home to leave them on their own. I was then told by your member of staff that he would ensure that no one sold me the doe, despite her having been there for over 9 months.
I am sure you are aware that rabbits can be very lonely when they are living by themselves and they are happier when living in pairs/groups, your care guide on rabbit ownership also states this. When I asked about the doe's temperament I was told that she would be fine with experienced owners and other animals such as cats and dogs, so why could I not take her home to be bonded with my neutered male? I feel that the member of staff didn't know very much about rabbits at all, considering that a partner could enrich his life, and that of a rabbit who needs rehoming and anyone experienced with rabbits is aware of this.
I would like you to clarify the position that your company holds and I would like to know why, when a rabbit who has been unable to be rehomed for such a long time, is offered a home with an experienced owner, access to indoor and outdoor space, time and attention and a partner to bond with, I was rejected and made to feel like a bad pet owner for suggesting bonding when, as I am sure you are aware, RWAF guidelines state that rabbits should not live alone.
Thank you.
I know it wasn't a brilliant email but I was not very happy about what had been said and it's the first time I have ever written to anyone, company or individual so I tried my best. Anyway.. I have had a reply this morning (after about 3 weeks)
I have been investigating your complaint with the store manager and the field pet manager and we do not have a policy that allows you to bring in your pets to try to mix with ours in store as you would not be able to gauge and accurate companionship in the store environment with all the noises and we do recommend to try to introduce in a neutral environment like in the garden away from both hutches. We would never recommend for a new rabbit to be put in with an existing rabbit straight away, they would need to be kept in separate cages next to each other and introduced over a short period.
I would like to assure you that Pets at Home is a responsible Pet retailer and like yourself we are very passionate about the Pets in our care. Most of our colleagues that come to work in our stores are very interested in animals and generally know a lot about pets and have pets themselves. We aim to ensure that we put pets before profit and all the pets in our stores are treated with the care and respect that they deserve.
All our colleagues undergo initial training within their first 12 weeks and they are only allowed to sell a pet once this training and their probationary period is completed. There is then an additional training book that they are obliged to complete, we also offer external training courses on pet care and aquatics that all colleagues are able to complete. We are always happy to welcome environmental health into our stores and do receive regular visits from them. As I have said previously we are passionate about our pets and try in every possible instance not to just meet the five freedoms of animal welfare, but to excel in them.
Our _______ store has a big focus on rabbit welfare and holds rabbit work shops for our customers and we do work closely with the RWAF.
Please accept my sincere apologies for any upset and inconvenience caused by this situation.
I don't really feel like they answered any of my questions.
Ho hum.