Retailer Jollyes is to cordon off in-store small animal pens on Sunday afternoon (April 23) to prevent mobile phones activated by the government’s emergency alert test from startling rabbits and other pets.
The government is testing its new mobile phone emergency alert system at 3pm on Sunday, meaning that loud, siren-like sounds lasting 10 seconds will be emitted from mobile phones and tablets across the country. Jollyes is concerned that hundreds of phones issuing a siren at the same time during trading hours could startle its small animals.
Store colleagues without mobile phones will be stationed close to the barriers as the alert test approaches on Sunday. Jollyes will also warn customers in-store ahead of the broadcast that the alert is coming, so they can quickly acknowledge the message on their phones and stop the siren.
Rabbits are highly tuned to their surroundings, and have powerful hearing skills as a defence mechanism. They are able to hear different sounds far more clearly than humans and loud noises such as fireworks or even vacuum cleaners can unsettle them.
Jollyes’ retail director Craig Smith said: “We understand why the government needs to test its new warning system, but we’re concerned that doing so in trading hours may startle any small animals – especially rabbits – in store. We’ve asked our store colleagues to do what they can to minimise any noise.”
The new emergency alert system is designed to warn the public when their lives may be in danger from events such as severe flooding, fires or extreme weather conditions.
