Update: Lifestyle Pet Hyper responds to bunnies in boxes

A large stir has occurred surrounding the bunnies kept in boxes at the Lifestyle Pet Hyper on 20 July.

According to visitors at Lifestyle, the bunnies were kept in the box for over two and a half hours.

View previous story, Bunnies in the box horror.

Lifestyle Pet Hyper has now released a public statement regarding the matter.

This is despite the previous comments from the store’s manager Ian Scheepers.

“Unfortunately we do not have enough cages to house adult bunnies in the store so they had to remain in their transport boxes till their collection,” read the statement.

It further explains that the cardboard boxes were well ventilated, with hay and sawdust, “in a dark environment so they would not stress unnecessarily”.

They claim that neither sale, nor any animal cruelty took place.

Lifestyle Gardens wished to add, “We, Lifestyle Home Garden, are only tenants on the centre property and Lifestyle Pet Hyper does not rent their shop space from us.”

Further stating, “We apologise for any misconceptions created. Please direct all future queries to Lifestyle Pet Hyper directly.”

They added, “It is unfortunate that what was actually an act of kindness by the pet store on the Lifestyle premises has been blown out of proportion.”

The bunnies are apparently being homed in, “where they are able to roam in huge enclosures with ample housing”.

Lifestyle Pet Hyper also thanked customers input and their comments in the matter will be taken into consideration.