Pets at Home, the UK’s largest pet retailer, has confirmed it will temporarily halt rabbit sales and adoptions across all 460 stores over the Easter weekend in 2025. The measure, running from April 18 to April 21, aims to prevent the spike in impulse purchases that typically accompanies the holiday’s association with the Easter Bunny. This annual policy reflects a broader push within the industry to treat pet ownership as a long-term responsibility rather than a seasonal gesture.
Animal welfare data underscores the scale of the problem. According to PETA UK, four out of five rabbits bought around Easter are abandoned or die within a year. The RSPCA recorded that 48 percent of rabbits were abandoned in 2022, with 1,090 arriving at its centres and a further 1,942 rescued by its branches. Pets at Home’s decision, which the company frames as putting pets before profit, has drawn praise from advocacy groups and renewed calls for the ban to be made permanent.
The policy is not new. The retailer has enforced an Easter ban for several years, with records dating back to at least 2018. What follows is a breakdown of the 2025 ban—why it exists, what it covers, and what shoppers can expect over the holiday weekend.
Why is Pets at Home banning rabbits at Easter?
The core rationale is straightforward: to interrupt the cycle of impulse buying that spikes around Easter. The cultural association between the Easter Bunny and live rabbits drives thousands of spontaneous purchases each year, many of which lead to abandonment once the novelty fades.
Ban Period
April 18–21, 2025
Scope
All 460 UK stores
What’s Banned
Rabbit sales and adoptions
Reason
Prevent impulse Easter purchases
Key insights
- Pets at Home has enforced this temporary ban for several years, with records going back to at least 2018.
- The ban covers both the sale and adoption of rabbits to discourage Easter impulse buys.
- Animal welfare organisations, including the RSPCA and PETA UK, have publicly praised the move.
- The restriction is limited to the Easter weekend; normal sales and adoptions resume after Monday.
- Pets at Home continues to sell rabbit food, bedding, and accessories throughout the ban period.
Snapshot facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Year of first reported ban | At least 2018 |
| 2025 ban dates | April 18 (Good Friday) – April 21 (Easter Monday) |
| Number of stores | 460 |
| Animals affected | Rabbits (and possibly other small animals) |
| Ban includes adoption? | Yes, according to news reports |
| Official reason | To prioritise animal welfare over profit |
When does the Pets at Home Easter rabbit ban start and end in 2025?
The ban runs from Friday, April 18 (Good Friday) through Monday, April 21 (Easter Monday) in 2025. This four-day window covers the peak period when Easter-themed promotions and holiday traditions typically drive the highest demand for rabbits.
How long does the ban last?
The suspension is limited strictly to the Easter weekend. Normal rabbit sales and adoptions resume on Tuesday, April 22. The temporary nature of the ban means the retailer can address the seasonal spike in impulse buying without permanently removing rabbits from its offering.
Is it an annual policy?
Pets at Home has confirmed the ban has been in place for several years. Kathryn Patel, Head of Pets at Home, stated: “For several years now, we’ve made the decision to temporarily halt rabbit sales over the Easter weekend. This is a deliberate decision to discourage people from making impulsive choices during this celebratory time.” News reports from 2018 confirm the policy was active then, suggesting an unbroken annual practice, though documentation for every intervening year is not publicly available.
Animal rescue data indicates that the weeks following Easter see a sharp rise in rabbit abandonments. By halting sales and adoptions during the holiday itself, Pets at Home aims to break the chain at its most common starting point. The RSPCA reported that in 2022, rescue centres received nearly 2,000 rabbits across its branches, many linked to seasonal impulse purchases.
Does the ban include rabbit adoption?
Yes. According to news reports from both the Mirror and the Daily Post (April 15, 2025), the ban covers not only the sale of rabbits but also adoptions through Pets at Home’s in-store adoption centres. Signs in stores state: “We’ve made the decision not to sell or adopt rabbits over the Easter weekend.”
Which stores are affected?
All 460 Pets at Home locations across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are included. The ban is company-wide, meaning no regional exemptions are in place.
What happens to rabbits that would have been sold?
Pets at Home typically either delays the sale of rabbits until after the Easter weekend or partners with rescue centres to manage the timing. The exact procedure may vary by store, but the company has not publicly detailed a standard operational protocol for handling stock during the ban period.
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What animals are included?
News reports specifically mention rabbits as the primary focus. Some sources suggest “certain animals” may also be included, but rabbits are the clear centre of the policy. Guinea pigs, hamsters, and other small pets are not explicitly confirmed as part of the ban in available reports.
What are the Pets at Home Easter opening hours?
Specific opening hours for each Pets at Home store over the Easter weekend were not detailed in available sources. However, the company has confirmed that all stores remain open during the ban period—only rabbit sales and adoptions are paused. Shoppers can visit for pet food, accessories, and other supplies as usual.
While no official list of Easter Sunday or Monday hours was published in the reports reviewed, Pets at Home’s official website allows customers to check individual store times. Bank holiday schedules may vary by location.
The ban applies exclusively to live rabbit sales and adoptions. Rabbit food, hay, bedding, hutches, toys, and all other supplies continue to be sold. Shoppers looking to prepare for a rabbit adoption after Easter can still purchase everything they need during the holiday.
Is the Pets at Home rabbit ban every year?
Based on available reports, the answer is yes—the ban appears to be an established annual practice rather than a one-off response. The earliest documented instance comes from March 2018, when OvertheCounter reported that Pets at Home would stop selling rabbits over Easter across more than 440 stores.
- 2018 (March): Pets at Home bans rabbit sales over Easter for the first known time. The policy covers sale and adoption in more than 440 stores.
- 2019–2024: The ban likely continued each Easter, though specific confirmations for every year are not documented in the provided inputs.
- April 15, 2025: News breaks that the ban will be enforced again from April 18–21 in all 460 UK stores.
- April 18–21, 2025: Easter weekend ban is in effect across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Has Pets at Home banned rabbits at Easter before?
Established information
- Pets at Home is implementing a temporary ban on rabbit sales and adoptions for Easter 2025 (April 18–21).
- The ban applies to all 460 UK stores.
- The intention is to prevent impulse purchases of rabbits as Easter gifts.
- The company has done this before, with records from at least 2018.
Information that remains unclear
- Whether the ban includes other small animals such as guinea pigs or hamsters. News reports focus on rabbits but mention “certain animals.”
- The exact years between 2018 and 2025 when the ban was in place. Not all years are documented in provided sources.
- Whether adoption through Pets at Home’s centre is fully halted or only sales. While news reports say both are paused, the company’s in-store signage uses “sell or adopt.”
Why does Pets at Home put animal welfare before profit at Easter?
The policy is framed by the company’s stated commitment to “putting pets before profit.” According to in-store signage at locations where rabbits are normally sold: “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.”
The initiative mirrors the famous RSPCA rabbit welfare advice and the Dogs Trust campaign launched in 1978 with the slogan “A dog is for life, not just for Christmas.” By applying the same principle to Easter, Pets at Home acknowledges that rabbits—which can live for 8–12 years and require specialised diets, spacious housing, and social companionship—are not suitable as seasonal gifts.
The broader context is a well-documented welfare crisis. Rescue centres across the UK report being overwhelmed with unwanted rabbits, largely due to irresponsible breeding and impulse purchases during Easter. The Blue Cross rabbit care guidelines stress that potential owners should research thoroughly before acquiring a rabbit. UK Government pet welfare codes further reinforce the legal duty of care owners hold. PDSA Easter pet advice also advises against gifting animals on holidays.
What do animal welfare organisations say about the ban?
PETA UK has welcomed the initiative but called for expansion. Elisa Allen, PETA Vice President of Programmes, stated: “Easter cheer is short-lived for the thousands of rabbits bought on a whim and dumped at already-inundated rescues. It’s only right that Pets at Home suspend their sale of rabbits over the period, but as rabbit abandonment isn’t only a holiday phenomenon, the company ought to make their pause permanent and stop selling these sensitive animals year-round.”
“Pets at Home has announced it will temporarily ban people from buying certain animals this weekend (April 18-21) at all 460 stores across the UK.”
Mirror, April 15, 2025
“Pets at Home will stop selling rabbits once again this year over Easter. More than 440 stores will ban the sale and adoption of rabbits between Good Friday and Easter Monday.”
OvertheCounter, March 23, 2018
“Pets at Home is taking a stand this Easter by banning the sale and adoption of rabbits during the celebration period in a bid to promote animal welfare.”
Daily Post, April 15, 2025
What should I know about the Pets at Home Easter rabbit ban?
The Pets at Home Easter rabbit ban is a temporary, UK-wide measure running from April 18 to April 21, 2025, covering both sales and adoptions of rabbits across all 460 stores. It is an established annual policy designed to curb impulse buying linked to the Easter Bunny tradition. Stores remain open, and rabbit supplies are still available. After Easter Monday, normal sales and adoptions resume. Consumers interested in responsibly acquiring a rabbit are encouraged to use the ban period for research and preparation, and to contact Pets at Home or rescue centres after the holiday. For more on seasonal product safety, see: Aldi Recall Casa Mamita Churro Bites – Milk Allergen Alert.
Frequently asked questions about the Pets at Home Easter rabbit ban
Can I still buy rabbit food and supplies at Pets at Home during the Easter ban?
Yes, the ban only applies to the sale and adoption of live rabbits. Pet food, bedding, and accessories remain available.
What happens to rabbits that would have been sold during the ban?
Pets at Home typically either delays the sale to after Easter or partners with rescue centres. The exact procedure may vary by store.
What animals are included in the Pets at Home Easter ban?
News reports specifically mention rabbits. Some sources suggest “certain animals” may also be included, but rabbits are the primary focus.
How long does the Pets at Home Easter ban last?
The ban runs for four days, from Good Friday (April 18) to Easter Monday (April 21). Normal sales resume on April 22.
Which Pets at Home stores are affected by the Easter ban?
All 460 Pets at Home stores across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are included.
Can I adopt a rabbit from Pets at Home during the ban?
No. News reports confirm that adoptions, as well as sales, are paused during the Easter weekend.
Does the ban apply to online orders?
Available reports focus on in-store policies. Online rabbit sales are not explicitly discussed in the provided sources.
Why does Pets at Home only ban rabbits and not other pets?
The Easter Bunny tradition creates a specific spike in rabbit impulse buys. Other pets do not share the same seasonal association.
Will Pets at Home extend the ban to other holidays?
PETA UK has called for a permanent ban, but Pets at Home has not announced any extension beyond Easter in available sources.
Fiona Caldwell is Managing Editor at TradeWireUK.uk, running the daily news list, the publishing schedule and the newsroom workflow.