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**** December 2008 Update****

The Animal Rescue League of Boston would like to recognize and thank PETCO for their recent corporate-wide decision to eliminate the sale of rabbits in all their stores nationwide. Instead they will be reaching out to rabbit rescue groups and animal welfare organizations like the Animal Rescue League of Boston to offer rabbits for adoption.

In recent years, about a third of PETCO's nearly 950 stores have offered neutered rabbits for sale. PETCO expects to phase out the sale of rabbits in favor of adoptions by early 2009.

"Moving to an all-adoption approach with rabbits is the right thing to do. We believe it's good for the animals, good for our business and is consistent with our Think Adoption First philosophy in which we encourage prospective pet parents to consider adopting an animal rather than purchasing one," PETCO CEO Jim Myers said. "Rabbits are great companion animals, and we believe PETCO can play a pivotal role in partnering with animal-welfare groups to connect responsible pet parents with happy, healthy neutered rabbits through in-store adoptions nationwide."   Click here to read PETCO's Press Release

The Animal Rescue League of Boston has partnered with PETCO to bring increased awareness to the plight of small animals or “pocket pets” such as hamsters, gerbils, rabbits and guinea pigs. While most people think of cats and dogs when visiting an animal shelter, the ARL of Boston and PETCO have piloted a special satellite adoption program to encourage pet owners to adopt these animals from shelters and other rescue groups.

To that end, PETCO’s Dedham, Mass. branch, located at 550 Providence Highway in Dedham, has devoted 7 cages and a special adoption area to rabbits, hamsters, gerbils and other small animals currently available for adoption at the ARL of Boston’s three branch locations. Additionally, PETCO has established on-site computer kiosks allowing potential adopters to see what other pets are available through the ARL of Boston’s website. Stay tuned for updates and news of similar pilot programs currently in the planning stages.

Above & to the right: photographs of the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s adoption area at PETCO’s Dedham store.