Keep the chocolate bunnies for the Easter baskets

After a cold winter season, the grass starts to turn green, flowers and trees are sprouting with vibrant colors and the weather begins to warm. In the United States Easter is celebrated by a majority of Americans. Easter is the celebration of the Christian faith. In America it is represented by one major image that is not religious and that is the Easter Bunny. Around Easter families go out to pet stores and shelters to purchase a cute fluffy eared rabbit to fill their child's Easter baskets. But after the candy has been eaten, the "Ester Bunny" that was purchased is still hopping around the house but will soon be seeing a new home.

The Easter bunny is an image that is part graphic and physical. Many Easter bunnies become a novelty cartoon character that depicts an image of Peter Cottontail, Bugs Bunny and cute fuzzy little rabbits with their fluffy floppy ears and button noses. (Check out the video) These images are make believe as the Easter Bunny delivers painted eggs and candy treats to little kids. There are also those who believe that living rabbits are the Easter Bunny. People purchase live baby bunnies in an impromptu purchase to fill their children’s image of the Easter Bunny for their Easter baskets.

Jill Edwards, is a volunteer at her local animal shelter and the owner/foster giver of four rabbits. She knows all too well about caring for rabbits and the long-term commitment that comes with rabbits. “Fluffy hopping rabbits are cute but they also come with a huge responsibility.”

Many rabbits and bunnies are purchased as Easter gifts but as soon as the Easter eggs have been found and all the candy has been eaten, families are now left with a new family pet. Families finally realize that their last minute surprise of an Easter gift comes with a long-time commitment that needs special care and treatment. “They adopt or buy these rabbits without doing their homework first,” said Edwards. Families rush home with a new rabbit with no knowledge of care, proper equipment like a cage and food. “Families believe that rabbits are a low- maintenance pet, they are wrong.”

Rabbits can live up to 10 years; the family has to be prepared for the long-term of care, feeding, housing and the extra financial responsibility. Rabbits that are purchased as pets are domesticated and are not like the rabbits found outside in the wild. Rabbits need the care and attention as any other household pet. “I have four rabbits and each rabbit has their own living space,” said Edwards, “I would love to have them living all together but they will fight, they like to live in their own space.” Edwards also recommends that the family rabbit proof their house for the safety of the rabbit; such as keeping electoral cords out of reach, so that the rabbit doesn’t damage the house. Families need to make sure that other household pets such as a dog won’t attack the rabbit. Rabbits do live well with other animals but it depends if the other animal can live with the rabbit.

Brookes

One part of a family doing their homework should know that rabbits have a very special diet that consists of pellets, hay, fruits and vegetables. Edwards is a foster provider to a white and brown floppy eared rabbit named Brookes. Brookes’ teeth were in bad condition due to improper care. Before he arrived at the shelter, his front teeth had to be pulled so he could eat properly. “I have to feed Brookes twice a day and he has his very own special diet,” said Edwards who has had Brookes for three years.

“Once the novelty of having an Easter Bunny wears out and the headache of caring for a rabbit, families then rush the rabbit to a shelter a couple months after Easter,” said Edwards. Many animal shelters recommend that when bringing a rabbit back, to bring the rabbit back to the shelter where the rabbit was purchased from or the animal humane society. Many pet rabbits get abandoned outside when the family is done caring for them. They believe that they can survive outside, but being outside they can’t fend themselves from wildlife, the weather and get proper food. This is where they will soon die. “Rabbits are indoor animals, they can’t be kept outside,” said Edwards “they won’t survive out there but many people believe that they can live in the outdoors with the elements and danger that they can possibly face.”

Marcy

The lucky rabbits that do come into the shelter are somewhat lucky. Following Easter animal shelters get bombarded with unwanted rabbits. Some rabbits never get adopted and some go to a foster home. Edwards has been fostering Marcy, a white rabbit, for one and half years. Marcy is part of the Lonely Hearts Club. The Lonely Hearts Club are animals that have been overlooked and been with the shelter for a long time. “Marcy was always kept in a cage and didn’t like that all,” said Edwards, “when it came time for the care takers to clean her cage she got very territorial due to being cooped up in the cage.” Edwards decided to foster Marcy and gave her a big spacious pen. “Marcy can still be adopted but I’ve had her for so long that pretty much she is all mine,” as Edwards grins, “she is happy here.”

With many shelters seeing an increase of rabbits coming in after Easter, they have found a way to hopefully decrease the flow of rabbits. With weeks approaching Easter, shelters place a hold on rabbit adoption till Easter is over to prevent rabbits being purchased as a gift. “If the family is really serious about adopting a rabbit then they can wait till after Easter to come and adopt.” Rabbits are just like any other family pet. Perspective families need to be prepared for the long haul of having a pet. They need to do their homework to see if they can best suit the animal with proper care and attention. Pets are meant to be a best friend and be treated with love and care. “Families should not go out and buy their children rabbits for Easter if they are not ready for the journey, instead they should buy chocolate bunnies for their children.”

Check your local animal shelters for pet adoptions.