The Range, Dobbies and Pets At Home - long but worth a read!

I've found myself in some unusual places the last few weeks.

The Range have recently opened here. The less said about them the better. They have the most disgustingly small hutches I have ever seen. Ever. I had a look round them all and none of them mentioned "rabbit" but I screwed my face up at their CCTV camera anyway!

Dobbies. First time I was there I was surprised to see them selling rabbits. I didn't expect it at all. Sadly they're still doing it, and they're on wood shavings I did notice they'd put this sign up. Not that it makes it any better. (Sorry, it's a rubbish picture Hope you can read it.)


Pets at home was, enlightening! OH was in for fish stuff and with our garage build I'm going to need a hutch so went over for a look. Was surprised to see a half decent sized one (by their standards!) priced at £99 and I didn't believe it because the one beside it was £170, so I looked for a staff member to ask.

When she confirmed it was right I pointed at a much smaller one and said that I hope they don't sell it for rabbits and she said "absolutely not". Now THAT surprised me. She said she's the staff member that gets to deal with all the awkward customers and her refusal to sell it to rabbit owners has resulted in her being sworn at and having stock thrown at her

I can't even remember how we got on to the topic of them selling rabbits but I said that they basically need to wise up, there are 55k rabbits in rescue and they're pumping them out like there's no tomorrow. She then confirmed to me that they make a loss on the sale of animals, which I said makes it even worse! She went on to say that they have animals cost them hundreds in vet bills (what does that tell you?!) and she currently had a rabbit with an abscess and a hamster with impacted something or others through the back to go to the vet later. I asked what'd happen to them and she said once they were fixed up they'd go into the adoption bit rather than the sale bit!

Then she stunned me by saying that in the eyes of P@H they want to do the breeding of animals, and stop average Joe from doing it because (something along the lines of) their breeding is more in control

I mean, WTF???

She's either an idiot, from another planet, or completely brain washed!!!!

They did have this up tho.

This is why we all hate p@h. Expensive and idiotic. I only go in for fiba first.

I would be inclined to say she is an idiot. If it is costing them so much then why do it, and of course breeding is the answer, what a moron.

Awful just awful
Judy

Its good to see that P@H are going in the right direction so far as hutch sizes and education is concerned.

Obviously I think ALL breeding is the pits, but I think that alas, we are facing a losing battle.

As for The Range, dont get me started!

This s a disgrace, bunny care is supposed to be improving not going backwards!!

Hugs
JO xx

I am at least glad to see some education/factual information being displayed, but the rest is such a shame

Its so incredibly frustrating that retailers can get away with this. Tiny hutches are a disgrace, its shameful.

I had a do with The Range a couple of years ago and thanks to some Facebook support drummed up by Katie I thought things had improved. Obviously things have slipped back again

As for PAH I will not spend a penny there. There are probably some stores/members of staff who are relatively clued up but the continuous churning out of rabbits makes my blood boil.

I reckon it is a local issue too. PAH in Cheltenham is not putting any signs out and don't know anything about the buns in their care, see Bertie. Only go there if it is for castles.
The range on the other hand is at least putting housing recommendations out but still selling unsuitable hutches.
Do nies I don't know. It is just frustrating:hbws: