As they do each year when Easter approaches, shelter officials and animal rescue groups are urging people not to buy rabbits or baby chicks as holiday gifts for children.
Buying or adopting a live animal on a whim often leads to abandonment when the novelty wears off and families realize they’re not equipped to properly care for the pets.
Instead of a live animal, rescue groups recommend buying a stuffed toy bunny or chocolate candy rabbit for kids’ Easter baskets.
“While we appreciate folks may want to add a bunny or rabbit to their family, it’s important to remember they need love and attention. Bunnies need specific care and environments to thrive, so it’s important to do your research beforehand,” Veronica Perez, public information officer for the Riverside County Department of Animal Services, told City News Service.
“If you’re ready for the responsibility, check out your local shelters first. You can visit rcdas.org to view our adoptable pets at anytime,” she added.
Colleen O’Brien, senior vice president for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said buying animals as gifts “teaches kids the dangerous lesson that these thinking, feeling individuals are toys that can be tossed aside when the children tire of them. Animal companions are a years-long commitment, not a holiday prop, and PETA urges everyone never to give any animal as a gift.
“When people are ready to add an animal to their family, PETA reminds them to always adopt, never buy from a breeder or pet store — and that goes for rabbits and chickens, too.”
PETA is reinforcing that message this year with radio and TV spots, billboards, print ads and social media posts nationwide.
California pet stores are prohibited from selling dogs, cats and rabbits unless they are obtained from a public animal control agency. But direct sales of rabbits are still permitted, including online, and illegal street sales also occur in which baby bunnies are sometimes deceptively marketed as adult “dwarfs.”
These rabbits are rarely spayed or neutered, and purchasers can often find themselves dealing with one or more litters of unwanted rabbits, increasing the burden on city shelters and rescue groups.
Rabbits are not low-maintenance pets. They require a specific diet, humane indoor housing in a bunny-proofed room, and veterinary care that can be expensive. They’re also not ideal pets for small children, as they respond best to quiet energy and can be easily spooked by the hyperactivity of a child.
However, for those who are willing to make a 10- to 12-year commitment and learn about their specific needs, domestic rabbits can be wonderful companions.
Animal advocates offer a series of basic tips:
— domestic rabbits should be kept indoors at all times;
— rabbits need to be spayed or neutered as soon as they’re old enough (between four and six months) to avoid unnecessary breeding and to aid their health;
— once they’ve been spayed or neutered, bunnies should be paired with a mate who’s also been spayed or neutered for lifelong companionship. Single bunnies can be lonely and depressed;
— they should be fed a diet of unlimited timothy hay (or alfalfa hay for rabbits under 6 months), plus a daily portion of leafy greens and limited pellets;
— they should never be kept in cages, as they need room to hop around and exercise their legs;
— they need to be thoroughly groomed every two to three months to remove excess fur and have their nails trimmed;
— They’re aggressive chewers, and need to be kept away from electrical cords and anything that can be dangerous if ingested, such as taped or glued boxes;
— bunnies that stop eating or appear to be in pain can die within 36 hours, and need immediate care from a veterinarian trained in rabbit care.
More information is available at rabbit.org/.
Officials also warn the public that Easter baskets can pose a danger to household pets. Colorful eggs, plastic grass, candy and chocolate can all be toxic if ingested by animals.