Glamour Shots using live rabbits in photos

[tobyluv]

 

Yesterday I saw an ad for Glamour Shots, advertising photo shoots with live rabbits.  I contacted them to say what a bad practice this is, and encouraged the other volunteers at the rabbit sanctuary  where I volunteer, to do the same.  This is their contact page http://www.glamourshots.com/contact.aspx.  You can either call customer service (toll free) or email them.  Numbers count, so it’s very helpful if as many people as possible contact them.  This is how we all got Pet Smart to stop selling rabbits.

Here is what I wrote:

 

I was very dismayed to see your ad in the coupon section of today’s paper, where you advertise having pictures taken with a live rabbit. Rabbits are delicate, sensitive animals and should be living in homes, not being used as props for a business, and likely being mishandled by the children trying to hold them—which could result in severe injury to the rabbit. I have volunteered for almost 20 years at a nearby rabbit sanctuary, plus have had several rabbits in my own home, so I consider myself knowledgeable about them. Most rabbits do not like to be held. As prey animals, it frightens them. In struggling to get away, they may accidentally scratch the person holding them, or may bite. I’m sure if a rabbit happened to scratch a child in one of your stores, the rabbit would quickly be gotten rid of. And what if a rabbit had an “accident” on a child’s new outfit? No one would be happy about that either. 

 

How are the rabbits being cared for while in the store? Are they shut away in small wire cages all the times they aren’t being used? Are they fed a proper diet, which consists of unlimited Timothy and grass hays, certain green leafy vegetables and a small amount of pellets, plus fresh water at all times? What are the plans for these rabbits after Easter is over? Do you have good homes lined up for them or will they go straight to the shelter, where they will likely be euthanised?   In the past, our sanctuary has taken in rabbits who were photographer’s models. They were the lucky ones. I hate to think what happened to the majority of these other rabbits.

 

It would be so much kinder for the rabbits and so much better for everyone if you used plush toy rabbits instead. Some of those are very realistic looking and would make very nice portraits. There would be no worry about a rabbit scratching a child, no worry about feeding and cleaning up after the rabbits, no worry about what to do with the rabbits afterwards.

 

I do not patronize businesses that use live animals and I know a lot of other people who feel the same way. Please reconsider your policy.  Thank you.

 

 

I signed my name and gave my city and state, along with my email address.  Thank you to anyone who contacts them.

 

[Sarita]

Yes, they do this every year which is very annoying and I know many people write them – maybe this will be the year that they will listen – you would think year after year after getting emails and phone calls that they would not continue this practice! Thanks for the info.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Can you post a bit more info about this campaign-or a link? I’d love to write but don’t want to sound silly so I want to know exactly what/why they are doing it

[LilynJestersMama]

That is a great letter, tobyluv. 

I just did a Google search for ‘ “Glamour Shots” “Easter” ‘ and came up with a bunch of articles on this issue.

I can’t believe they are still using live bunnies as props after all the outcry.

I too will be sending them a letter.

KandK- nothing on their site discusses it, mainly they are using live bunnies in their Easter photo shoots.  We just need to hit some of the same points that tobyluv did 

[tobyluv]

Thank you for helping, and for your kind words about my letter.  I wasn’t sure how good it was.

For anyone who doesn’t know, Glamour Shots is a photography shop, usually located in  malls.  They are now taking pictures of children holding rabbits. This would be for Easter, and the children likely will be dressed in their new outfits.  I mentioned that in my letter since I thought that anyone coming in for a picture wouldn’t want the outfits soiled if the rabbit went to the bathroom, or if it started nibbling on it.  I can just  imagine a rabbit being suddenly flung away and injured if it happened to go to the bathroom on a child.  These poor rabbits are used for whatever time they are needed, with no telling what kind of care, really lack of care and mishandling they receive.  Then they are discarded.

[MooBunnay]

I just googled this and found that the “Make Mine Chocolate” campaign has some promotional material related to this, I found it on the “whats new on our website” page: http://www.makeminechocolate.org/whatsnew.php, you can download both the poster and the letter. Its an excellent letter and gives some good ideas in addition to all of the good ones in tobyluv’s letter.

Thank you for letting us know!

[LilynJestersMama]

Your letter covered it all and it was very well written. 

I can’t say this is a fact but I did run across an article online that stated the bunnies used in their photo shoots are often raffled off at the end when they are no longer needed.  Yuck………………people need to wake up and realize that they aren’t toys!!!!!

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

[KatnipCrzy]

I think Olan Mills does the same thing too. I don’t have kids but I think I have seen a poster in front of their kiosk/stall at our local Meijer.

 

[jerseygirl]

Another approach is to print of flyers (maybe of page digx posted^ if able to be reproduced) and hand them out in the malls where the Glamour Shots and the likes operate.

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

Here, I was able to find it in pdf form even though there’s no link on the homepage anymore.

http://www.makeminechocolate.org/photog.pdf

[Lily]

I hate hearing about stuff like this! Ill try writing a letter but i dont know what to say…jsut about my anger i guess?

[LittlePuffyTail]

That’s terrible. When are people going to learn? Wouldn’t pics with realistic looking stuffed bunnies be just as cute? And that people pay for this without caring about the rabbits. I’m glad there is no photo studio in my City doing it or they would have a protester outside their store!!!!

[Author]

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