We are often asked if Easter is our ‘worst time of year’ – does a rabbit rescue face extra challenges with all the bunnies purchased as kids’ Easter pets?
We do face extra challenges, but it’s not always a rash of baby bunnies dumped on our doorsteps or in our local shelters the week after the holiday. That happens to some extent, but more often, we receive phone calls a couple of months later: “We got the kids a bunny for Easter, but now she’s scratching and biting us.” “He sprays us with urine.” “She growls when we open her cage door.” “He humps our cat.” “The pet store told us they were both girls but now we have baby bunnies.” “The brothers we bought in March are fighting.” And then: “Will you take our rabbit? We don’t want him anymore.” Sometimes these callers demand we take their discarded ‘toys’ and even threaten to set the rabbit free, not considering that this in not only against the law in Indiana, but dangerous for the rabbit.
Retailers know bunnies are popular gifts at Easter. They order more ‘stock’ from breeders, who purposely breed more to meet the demand. Some places, like feed stores, will only carry baby bunnies during the Easter season. Pet store staff generally do not know enough to give shoppers a realistic view of what it is like to have a pet rabbit. Staff in the seasonal bunny-selling stores are even more likely to give out incorrect or even dangerous information. Bunnies are even dyed pastel colors like Easter eggs and sold out of a box on the side of the road to make a buck. And, of course, baby bunnies are marketed as children’s pets, a cuddly toy that will sit in a cage – sold conveniently with a sale-priced kit.
Without the information available to know better, how could parents know the bunny will become hormonal and territorial in a matter of weeks? How can they know spay/neuter is an option to solve many behavior issues? How will they know the bunny can live inside as a member of the family?
The reality for many Easter bunnies is many are sold so young that their intestinal tracts are not even ready to handle the stress of a diet change in a new home. Those that survive end up either forgotten in the backyard or living in an extremely small cage. They generally have an inappropriate diet, no social interactions, no toys or fun activities and no veterinary care. Most Easter presents are surrendered to the local shelter in late summer when the kids are tired of their no-longer cuddly gift and parents focus on back-to school instead.
What can you do to help?
- Get the word out. If you overhear your relatives, coworkers, or neighbors talking about getting a rabbit at Easter, you have a great opportunity to let them know the realities of bunny ownership.
- Write a letter to the editor of your local paper. You can use our sample letter on the next page or create your own.
- Hang Posters about rabbits at Easter at your workplace or on community bulletin boards at pet stores, groceries, churches, vet clinics, etc.
- Offer to give a presentation at your child’s school or provide handouts to other kids and their parents.
- Support pet supply stores that don’t sell rabbits and tell them you shop there because they don’t exploit bunnies at Easter.
Even if you only hang one poster at your church or on your cubicle, you might help someone decide “Maybe a rabbit isn’t right for me.” Every day, unwanted former Easter rabbits are euthanized in Indiana shelters.
Resources
Make Mine chocolate campaign
Articles and sample letters on rabbits at Easter
Web page banners
Flyers and posters
Example Letter to the Editor – Easter
It is Easter time again, and cute little pet store bunnies are advertised as good presents. Contrary to popular belief, rabbits are not good starter pets for children, requiring as much work as dogs or cats. A toy stuffed bunny will make a much better gift.
Baby bunnies are cute and cuddly, but in two months the hormonal adolescent rabbit no longer tolerates being held. Powerful hind legs can scratch and sharp teeth can bite. Unaltered rabbits may spray, mark territory, and attack hands that enter their cage.
Spaying or neutering your bunny will eliminate these behaviors. Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of this fact—in 2006, hundreds of former Easter bunnies were surrendered to shelters throughout Indiana.
When housed indoors, provided an appropriate diet including hay and vegetables, and given veterinary care, rabbits live 7-10 years. An altered adult bunny will use a litterbox, enjoy petting time & interact with the family in a home environment.
Save a life and don’t buy an Easter bunny. If you think you might provide a loving home for a companion rabbit, rescue an altered rabbit from your local animal shelter or from Indiana House Rabbit Society (IHRS). Visit the Indiana House Rabbit Society website or call (317) 767-7636 for more information.
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