Not for sale: bunnies
Petco, the San Diego-based animal goods and services brand, announced this week it will shift from selling rabbits to putting them up for adoption.
Petco was not selling rabbits on a wide scale, but it had launched a pilot in which it put “fewer than 50 rabbits” up for sale at certain of its stores across the U.S. This move brings the company’s practices in closer alignment with animal rights groups, which have long pushed for an end to rabbit sales.
“The decision was made in line with the company’s longstanding Think Adoption First philosophy — which encourages prospective pet parents to consider adopting a homeless pet rather than purchasing one, whenever possible — and received in partnership with animal rescue and welfare organizations nationwide,” the company said in a news release.
As a result, the miniature rabbits in stock at certain Petco stores as part of the pilot are now available for adoption.
Beyond making the pilot animals adoptable, Petco will also focus on “helping find homes for the thousands of rabbits already looking for loving families across the country,” said Benjamin Thiele-Long, who oversees communications, and environmental, social and governance for Petco, in a statement.
The decision comes after Petco met with animal rights groups including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
“We’re cheering on Petco’s return to its adoption-only policy and reminding everyone that ‘adopt-don’t shop’ is always the right choice when it comes to dogs, rabbits or any other animal,” PETA’s Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman wrote in a statement.
Animal welfare group Rabbit.org Foundation also congratulated Petco. “This decision by Petco is a pivotal milestone in our efforts to protect rabbits from neglect, abandonment, and exploitation,” Paige Parsons, the president of the Rabbit.org Foundation, said on its website.
Animal rights groups had asked Petco to stop selling rabbits in its stores because cute, fluffy bunnies can be an impulse buy, putting the animals at risk for being neglected or abandoned.
While adoption and sales can both involve an exchange of money for a pet — in the form of a price tag or an adoption fee — adoption typically involves a screening process of the potential pet owner, stewarded by animal rescue organizations, while pet sales do not. One more difference is how animals are sourced: adoption targets pets that are already alive and potentially discarded or abandoned, while there is a risk that animals for sale are sourced from breeding mills.
To encourage rabbit adoptions, Petco has launched a temporary promotion for new rabbit owners. Through the end of October, anyone who adopts a rabbit through an “established rabbit rescue or adoption group” can receive a 20 percent discount — useful for pet ownership startup costs.
Going nuts for mazapan
If you love mazapan candy, mark your calendar. Starting Monday, San Diego County’s two Vallarta Supermarkets — in Escondido and National City — are kicking off a limited-time mazapan smorgasbord.
Here’s what’s on the menu: bundt cake, tres leches cake, banana cream pie, empanadas, conchas, agua fresca and a pudding, all flavored with mazapan. If you’ve never tried it (and don’t have a peanut allergy), consider this your invitation to give it a go.
Like sour cherries, vegemite, dulce de leche and bacon, it’s one of life’s distinctive flavors. While it’s become trendy recently, appearing in lattes and doughnuts north of the border, it’s actually a classic Mexican candy.
Some have called it a cousin of marzipan or a peanut confection. This reporter puts it this way: if peanut butter and marzipan had a dense and crumbly baby, you’d get mazapan.
Trendy jewelry spot opening in downtown La Jolla
Gorjana, a Laguna Beach-based jewelry store, is opening its fourth San Diego County boutique, in downtown La Jolla on Oct. 1.
“San Diego holds a special place in our hearts and has been an incredible part of our story since we opened our doors at UTC in 2018,” Gorjana Reidel, the company’s cofounder, said in an emailed statement. “From its palm tree-lined streets to its waterfront views, we can’t wait to open our new La Jolla store at Prospect and Girard — the perfect backdrop for our SoCal styles.”
What shoppers will find there: trendy jewelry in solid and plated metals. On its bestsellers website, there’s a Newport Birthstone Necklace with solid gold chain and delicate gemstones for $260 and chunky gold plated Lou Huggie earrings for $55.
Fashion Valley lands Canadian fashion brand
Aritzia, a Canadian clothing company that describes itself as a creator and purveyor of “everyday luxury,” has opened a store at Fashion Valley, near Macy’s on the ground floor.
Founded in Vancouver in 1984, the company sells women’s clothes for different uses and lifestyles, including career, activewear and outfits for an evening out.
Its Candidate dress, for $248, is made of mostly of polyester and viscose, with some cotton. For $25, shoppers can choose from T-shirts in several cuts.
The brand has become more popular in the U.S., with its sales here increasing by 80 percent over the course of a year, Bloomberg reported last year.
This fiscal year, Aritzia plans to add at least 10 new stores in the U.S., Bloomberg said, adding, “While Canada is still home to the majority of its locations, the US brings in more revenue.” Outside Fashion Valley, the nearest Aritzia is at Westfield UTC.
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