Lisa Rockwell has started a petition calling on Wholefoods of Northern California to stop selling rabbit meat. From the change.org petition site:
Bunny rabbits are the 3rd most popular household pet in America. They are loving companion animals just like dogs and cats who bond with their humans and their mates for life! Rabbits have individual personalities, show affection and want to be a part of the family. Wholefoods has created their own animal welfare standards for the New Zealand breed rabbits raised on farms in Iowa. It is unknown if or how these standards will be upheld. New Zealand rabbits are some of the most affectionate and sweet rabbits when they are in a safe loving environment. They are known as “the golden reriever of the rabbit breeds”. Proudly Wholefoods states that this breed is known for their “good mothering abilities”. The rabbits sold well be very young and weigh an average of 3 pounds. A New Zealand bunny typically weighs 10lbs when full grown. Please sign this petition and let Wholefoods know that you do not support the sale of rabbit meat in their Northern California stores!
Please share and sign the petition.
[source: http://www.change.org/petitions/wholefoods-please-do-not-sell-rabbit-meat-in-your-stores]
I cannot believe that this petition has become so popular. Personally, I have major issues with the validity of this argument. While I certainly agree that animals shouldn’t be made to live in torturous conditions, it seems that Lisa is making the argument that because “bunny rabbits are one of the most popular household pets in America”, they should not be sold as food. I would very much like to ask Lisa if she is as active against the selling of other types of animal meat. Certain animals should not be discriminated against simply because they aren’t as cute or popular.
Hi Amanda,
Thank you for your comments and input. Several people have posed this question, about why we focus on one animal when there are so many being sold as food. Why petition to stop selling rabbit meat when other animals are commonly used in agriculture.
Although we actively condemn and protest the acts of rabbit slaughter by Whole Foods and their affiliated farms, it does not mean we condone or approve of how any or all animals are treated in food industries. We are a rabbit rescue, and we direct our efforts to the care and wellbeing of rabbits. The efforts we put forward are directly aligned with our goals in that regard.