This morning I received a Petcetera customer "newsletter" in my email box. In it Petcetera states:

- they are "committed to helping reduce pet over population, that's why none of the stores sell cats or dogs",

- they set up "cat and dog adoption centres...through arrangements with local animal shelters",

...very commendable efforts. I'm certainly all for saving dogs and cats and finding them good homes. Kudos to Petcetera.

Petcetera's newsletter continues on to state many things, statistics among them, but nowhere in that newsletter do they state they are still selling rabbits, birds and rodents in the retail section of their stores.

On January 28th, 2008 the Kamloops Petcetera had a sale on bunnies. A cute little (unaltered) bunny could be yours for only $34.96!! That very same day, Kamloops SPCA's pet adoption page listed five bunnies that needed homes!!! What happened to Petcetera's "committment to helping reduce pet over population through arrangements made with local animal shelters"?

Recently, CBC radio aired a segment on the massive rabbit population explosion in the Kelowna, Winfield and Vernon areas. It is such a big problem farmers worry about their crops, homeowners about the foundations of their outbuildings and houses, while local golf courses will have to modify the rules of the game due to new "holes" on their golf greens. All this courtesy of the little burrowing bunnies released to the wild once the novelty wears off and owners tire of them. Run free little rabbit, run free. Better run fast though, angry property owners aren't talking rehoming.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/12/07/bc-bunnyexplosion.html

Every year the public is told about domestic rabbit population explosions on University Campus' properties, golf courses, even grassy medians on busy city streets aren't spared. Come on Petcetera (and all pet retail outlets) be responsible citizens and step up to the plate for all animals. You've proven you can do it.

I was going to address my questions to Petcetera, but could not find an email address to respond to only a generic form to fill out if I had any questions regarding inanimate products.

The following is the Newsletter email from Petcetera dated February 19, 2008:

"Petcetera is committed to helping reduce pet over population. That's why none of the stores sell cats or dogs. Instead, through arrangements made with local animal shelters, Petcetera has set up a satellite cat and dog adoption centre in each store, with the proceeds of every adoption going to the local non-profit animal shelter.
Petcetera is pleased to announce the excellent performance of our P.A.W.S. (Petcetera Animal Welfare Society) Adoption Centres, and our ability to contribute to reducing euthanasia rates in Canada. Since opening the first Petcetera location in November 1997, Petcetera has found homes for over 49,526 cats and dogs and raised over $5,065,280 for animal welfare.
Petcetera has created a unique haven inside each one of our stores where we can host companion animals from that community's local non profit organizations. These animal have been given a clean bill of health, and now they need only two things: a good home, and tender loving care. Can you provide a happy home? The fees charged at Petcetera are the same as at your local non profit organizations. Adoption fees may include the following: an ID tattoo, a full veterinary examination within 3 business days of adoption, a spay/neuter certificated valued at $50 and a complete Petcetera take home adoption booklet valued at over $110."