BBC reveals their decision after reviewing the 1,500 viewer complaints over ‘animal cruelty’ on Stacey Solomon’s Sort Your Life Out
- More than 1,500 people reached out to share their worries over animal cruelty on the show – after Stacey suggested a family move their rabbits outside
- Now having issued a decision, the BBC have deemed Stacey’s suggestion a ‘safe and secure space’
The BBC has released a public response to the complaints made towards Stacey Solomon’s series Sort Your Life Out – after more than 1,500 people reached out to share their worries over animal cruelty on the show.
Last month, the series – which airs on BBC One – was the target of a wave of backlash after Stacey proposed moving a family’s pet rabbits into an outside hutch.
The host suggested moving the rabbits from the large conservatory to the garden to make more space in the house as she attempted to ‘declutter’.
But viewers were angered by the move and argued that hutches were not acceptable homes for rabbits, complaining to the BBC.
Now having issued a decision, the broadcaster assured that while they had reviewed the complaints, they had deemed Stacey’s suggestion a ‘safe and secure space’ for the animal.
Investigated: The BBC has revealed their decision after reviewing the 1,500 viewer complaints over ‘animal cruelty’ on Stacey Solomon’s Sort Your Life Out
Uh oh: Last month, the series – which airs on BBC One – was the target of a wave of backlash after Stacey proposed moving a family’s pet rabbits into an outside hutch
Outrage: Viewers were angered by the move and argued that hutches were not acceptable homes for rabbits, complaining to the BBC
Responding to complaints, the BBC’s response read: ‘The family’s pet rabbits usually live outside and were only living indoors for a short period of time after being neutered. They are therefore acclimatised to living in the garden.
‘The rabbits have full access to a wide, enclosed garden to roam around in, with the hutch being a place to come and go as they please during the day, as well as a safe and secure space for them to sleep in at night.’
The investigation came after many fans took to Twitter to share their disapproval over her decision on the show.
One said: ‘Love love @StaceySolomon but so disappointed that Sort Your Life Out has shown rabbits being moved from a nice spacious indoor run to a cramped outdoor hutch, hutches are absolutely not enough’.
Another wrote: ‘Very disappointed with the decision on rehousing the family pet rabbits on #SortYourLifeOut. @StaceySolomon – you need to research the suffering endured by thousands of pet rabbits in small hutches.’
A third raged: ‘I hope @StaceySolomon is by now educated in proper rabbit care and horrified that she’s condemned those rabbits to a life in a hutch.
‘Their need for space as athletic animals is far more important than “decluttering” a human living area. We hope she’s taking steps to remedy it’.
While a fourth echoed: ‘Sort your life out with @StaceySolomon so disappointing as a rabbit owner. Do your research! They went from a fairly decent home to a hutch thats inadequate in size.
Move: Stacey suggested moving the rabbits from the large conservatory to the garden to make more space in the house
Angry: But when the episode aired earlier this month, viewers were angered by the move and argued that hutches were not acceptable homes for rabbits
Complaints: They took to social media to complain and to ask the BBC and Stacey to do further research into rabbit care
‘It’s stuff like this that set the rabbit community back as we attempt to show others that #ahutchisnotenough’.
A fifth agreed, writing: ‘@BBC please investigate the welfare of rabbits. #SortYourLifeOut only displays a lack of knowledge and pure cruelty putting those rabbits in a tiny hutch.’
And a sixth tweeted: ‘Absolutely appalling from @StaceySolomon and @bbcthree. Latest episode of Sort your life out is disgraceful. Those poor rabbits. A hutch is never enough.
‘Next time follow @RabbitRWAF guidelines for appropriate size for rabbit accommodation. This falls so short. It’s animal abuse!’
The Rabbit Welfare Association and Trust shared the story and encouraged viewers to complain.
However they also added: ‘Before we comment any more, we want to make it clear that we think that this is the Production company’s responsibility, not the presenter, and we won’t allow any comments against Stacey Solomon.
‘The Production company should have done their research.’
It comes as the hit series is set to return to screens with a third season – after proving popular amongst fans.
Returning for more transformations, the show’s production company Optomen is currently on the lookout for applicants who need help decluttering their home.
Declaring that ‘Stacey and the team are back’ via an Instagram post, Sort Your Life Out urged families who needed the presenter’s help to reach out.
‘If your home is in desperate need of a declutter, or you need help streamlining your space with savvy storage solutions, then apply now via the link in our bio,’ they wrote.
With applications open until April 28, anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to apply via the Optomen website.
Filmed across the UK, each episode is the story of a different family as Stacey head to their homes for a transformation.
Packing up the home in it’s entirety, the family’s possessions are laid out in a giant warehouse – with everything displayed in front of them, so that they can discover how much they really own.
After having a clearout of things to donate, recycle or sell, the team then return the necessary items to the family’s home in a much more decluttered and organised manner.
Defence: The Rabbit Welfare Association and Trust shared the story and encouraged viewers to complain to Ofcom, while defending Stacey
Smash hit: It comes as the hit series is set to return to screens with a third season – after proving popular amongst fans
Up for some help? Declaring that ‘Stacey and the team are back’ via an Instagram post, Sort Your Life Out urged families who needed the presenter’s help to reach out
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