I'm in shock - rabbits used as shop display?!

I've just seen this link posted on Facebook, and I'm in shock that a shop is allowed to keep rabbits in their display window. What I want to know is why is this allowed to happen and does anyone know how I could help stop it? I have no idea where I would even start =(

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/rabbit-thief-stole-bunny-wanted-love-article-1.1041890?localLinksEnabled=false

That is disgusting!!! a shop window is no place to keep a rabbit for more reasons than I have time to go into , anything can happen and obvious it did, if he can walk in and take it what's to stop a couple of yobs that want it for target practice....I'm really angry about this!

Love the last comment in the comments part..

Awwww how Miss Cooper must have missed her couple of square feet of Astroturf and the joy of ugly kids slapping the window all day.

thats unbelievable,i have no idea how you would stop that as its in the states,i think the best person to ask is Genti,as shes in the states i think,hopefully someone else will come along and know what to do

I have had to have another look and read it again as I can't believe that someone would put a rabbit on display on astroturf in a shop window, the heat, the tapping on windows, the constant staring at it as if it is a peforming clown and nobody should be able to get near it, never mind be able to take it, and what's it all for no doubt to draw people into the shop

i believe they have an equivelant to our rspca but don't know what the regulations are in new york but it is utterly disgusting.

Omg, unbelievable! That last comment really sums it up.

Another thing to make me angry today

Grr how very annoying that the article doesn't pick up that this is completely wrong!
It fascinates me how the rabbit is described as 'beloved'

This makes me feel sick

At least the rabbit in question has a bunny for company. I just dread to think what might happen when the shop decides it needs a new window display.

fall3n-ang3l wrote:thats unbelievable,i have no idea how you would stop that as its in the states,i think the best person to ask is Genti,as shes in the states i think,hopefully someone else will come along and know what to do

I'm checking into this y'all. Our news here is not known for it's accurate and/or complete reporting.
~holly~

gentl wrote:

fall3n-ang3l wrote:thats unbelievable,i have no idea how you would stop that as its in the states,i think the best person to ask is Genti,as shes in the states i think,hopefully someone else will come along and know what to do

I'm checking into this y'all. Our news here is not known for it's accurate and/or complete reporting.
~holly~

Rachael & Everyone,

I read numerous articles and watched several newscasts on this story and by piecing them together I got a positive story. But to make sure I wrote to the designer and his partner referring them to this question here on HH. I sent an email early this AM my time and received the following gracious email about 5pm my time.

Dear Holly,

Thank you very much for reaching out to us.

As animal lovers ourselves, we really appreciate your genuine concern about Alexander Berardi's Holland Lop Rabbits Miss Cooper and Jack.

Let me begin by saying that what you read in the press is not always true. Miss Cooper and Jack have many living quarters. As you've seen, they do have one play area in the front of Alexander Berardi's Flagship Store in Soho.

When designing the store, Alex decided to throw in a play pen- why leave them at home all alone during the day? Sometime he works very long hours. (That is the nature of being a 25 year old designer with such accomplishments). And so Miss Cooper and Jack spend a great deal of time with the staff at his store where they are loved, cherished, and taken care of very well. Its one place that Alex knows they are safe.

In addition, his clients who loved to play with his rabbits at his private studio before the store was built- well, they really love that Alex brought them to the new space.

Below, we've been able to answer some common question with more detail:

Are Miss Cooper and Jack in the store play pen all of the time?
No, Miss Cooper and Jack probably spend only a few hours in the play pen a day, and only a few days per week.

Is the play pen the only place they have to live??
Of course not. Miss Cooper and Jack have a play pen at Alex's store, a run around cage under his office desk, a run around cage at Alex's home, and a run around cage at Alex's partners home.

Does the glass cause the temperature of the play pen to be uncomfortable?
Naturally, the play pen was designed to ensure the comfort of Miss Copper and Jack. The room is air conditioned, and the direction the store and window face ensure that there is very little direct sunlight during the late morning or afternoon- the times at which the store would be open and that Miss Cooper or Jack could potentially be in the play pen.

Is the Play Pen safe? Why isn't it caged in?
The Play Pen is very safe. We stock it with non toxic artificial grass that is changed regularly to ensure a pleasant experience for Miss Cooper and Jack. Originally covered in real grass sod, it turned out to be unsustainable, even when re covered every few weeks. The Play Pen is not caged in because Miss Cooper and Jack have many other homes that are caged in. They enjoy this run around time that they get. If we notice that they do not want to be in the Play Pen, we take them out. They have never tried to jump out because they are never placed in the Play Pen for extended periods of time.
The Play Pen receives fresh water frequently and fresh hay every hour. Vegetable treats are provided when necessary and so as not to interrupt their diets.

Shouldn't they have somewhere to hide in the Play Pen?
That is a great idea and we are looking into that now.

Are Miss Cooper and Jack getting enough hay?
Yes, in addition we refill the hay every hour. We are very well versed in the amount of hay Miss Cooper and Jack (which is- there can never be enough!)need and the importance of why to do so. The photo you saw may have been misleading. Or, the play pen may have just been cleaned, and the new hay had not yet been placed in it.

Do people harass Miss Cooper and Jack?
Absolutely not. Banging on the glass is not permitted and people are politely asked to stop if that occurs.
The 30 second clip of our CCTV footage is not a good representation of how Miss Cooper or Jack are treated and cared for. When their rabbits return to the store they will not be in the play pen area at night or near closing based off of this event.
If we suspect that Miss Cooper or Jack are uncomfortable, we remove them from the situation immediately. Conversely, if we see someone interacting inappropriately with them, we will respectfully ask them not to come back.
----------------------
Please remember that these rabbits are pets belonging to the designer and his business partner and are loved. They eat all natural fruits and vegetables and get a great deal of exercise every night when they go home, as well as in the play pen where they often run, jump, and play with each other. Last week was troubling and upsetting for both Alexander Berardi and Mr. Kulukundis as they were very worried about Miss Cooper, and please know that they will do all they can to never let anything remotely similar to this event happen again.

We have been in direct contact with American Animal Rights Organization PETA, who have signed off on Mr Berardi's care for Miss Cooper and Jack and their interesting lifestyles.
Additionally, the ASPCA has come to visit us at the store and their New York/Manhattan office employees are major fans of Miss Cooper and Jack.

Thank you again for taking a moment to reach out. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us should you have anymore questions or concerns.

All The Best,
Team Berardi
174 Prince Street
New York, NY 10012
Boutique Phone: (212) 837-2541
E- mail: info@houseofberardi.com
P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail

What really sold me was a picture in one of the news articles that showed one of the men holding Miss Cooper. I know bunny love when I see it! Here is this designer that makes $5000 dresses and he is cuddling Miss Cooper. Precious.

aww im glad they actually took the time to get back to you as most people wouldn't have even bother to reply. Its nice to know that they seem to care about the rabbits, and at least seem to have knowledge of rabbit needs.

good detective work

Thanks for taking the time to follow this up Holly, really appreciated.

I know that often news stories are not quite what they seem so it doesn't surprise me at all!

While I feel that the buns do have a really good life and are truly loved, I don't think having them in a shop window - even for a short time - is a good thing and the astroturf thing doesn't gel with me either as I can't imagine a rabbit not just eating it!

I am glad that the shop and the designers have taken this really seriously and they genuinely do seem to know about rabbit welfare - to a point.

NickieM wrote:......I am glad that the shop and the designers have taken this really seriously and they genuinely do seem to know about rabbit welfare - to a point.

They were really torn up with worry. Miss Cooper is on a special diet and they were frantic. When the bunny rustler turned the bunny into the police station she was in an aquarium with Apple Jacks cereal as litter. On St. Pat's Day they gave her a green lettuce leaf. Poor thing she, is is lucky to have
survived that! The homeless man that took Miss Cooper just said he needed something to love. It's rather sad social commentary on American society actually.

One of the designers wasn't there when Miss C was taken and when he returned and saw everyone in a tizzy over a theft, he asked his partner which dress had been stolen. Keep in mind these are $5000 + dresses (3150 Pounds). The man said it wasn't a dress. It was much worse. It was Miss C. I'd love to see pictures of the bunnies' other habitats--especially the one under his desk! Some of the articles listed the stars that buy gowns and clothes from them that love the bunnies and come by to see them. They did have some adorable pics.

~holly~

so pleased they replyed to you and with such in depth answers,it does sound hes very well cared for,i do agree with Nickie,wish they wouldnt put them in the window but thank you for emailing them and finding out

well done holly for jumping on them and it's re assuring that they gave such an in depth reply

That's really nice of them to reply so quickly, and it does look as though they have a lot more than what you would think from reading the article. I always like a happy ending!

Rachel&Nibbler wrote:That's really nice of them to reply so quickly, and it does look as though they have a lot more than what you would think from reading the article. I always like a happy ending!

Me too! I had to get to the bottom of it.

Well done love, I was furious.

Hugs

JO xx