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The Easter Bunny:
Silly Parents, Rabbits Aren't for Kids!
Every year as Easter approaches, parents and children alike get the idea that they'd like to bring the Easter bunny into their lives. Unfortunately, they often do this with little or no research, forethought, or even the idea that a life is at stake. Often the misconception is that rabbits have a short lifespan similar to hamsters or guinea pigs. Parents think they have a short-term project on their hands and that the kids will have a cute, cuddly, plush toy. Worse, some parents truly do consider this life disposable and that anything to increase their child's experience is well-deserved. The cost to the living being in question is an after thought.
In truth, rabbits do not make good pets for children. Although prey animals, rabbits will defend themselves and often kick, bite, and even scream while being endlessly mishandled by a child. In futile efforts to escape the unwanted embraces of rambunctious children, the rabbit will most likely also sustain an injury and often a fatal one at that -- such as a broken back or neck. The child also risks the potential for a very painful rabbit bite from those great big Bugs Bunny incisors.
A slightly more fortunate Easter bunny recruit may live a little longer only for the child, who is most certainly the caretaker of this little life, to lose interest in the animal and eventually start skipping feedings or allow the water bottle to remain empty or both. At long last, the bunny perishes from neglect. As a rabbit rescuer, I once took in a bunny from an animal shelter who was surrendered at age 8 years during which time he was cared for only by a very young child. He was so ravaged from this fate, it took him nearly a year and half to recover his health. He has since been adopted and is now being lovingly cared for by responsible adults.
Pinky was relinquished to the animal shelter at age 7 months. The
relinquishing owner cited the reason for give up to be that he was
afraid of his 5 dogs. Pinky was lucky and was rehomed with a lovely
couple who are approaching retirement.
All content and images © Running Bun Magazine. Use without permission prohibited. |
According to Kim Saunders, vice president of Shelter Outreach for Petfinder.com, "People know that dogs and cats end up homeless." Petfinder.com is the searchable database of homeless pets of all kinds. "We initiated Adopt-a-Rescued-Rabbit Month (February) to draw attention to the fact that rabbits are the third most likely animal to find themselves needing a new home. On any given day on Petfinder.com, there are over 5,000 rabbits available for adoption." 1 Some of these rabbits will be rehomed thanks to the efforts of shelter staff and volunteers but a great many of them will be euthanized through various methods because there simply are not enough homes for them.
Kathleen Wilsbach, president of the national rabbit rescue and education group, House Rabbit Society, informs us, "For the right people, rabbits are wonderful indoor companions. They get along with many other companion animals including gentle cats and dogs, are intelligent, affectionate and inquisitive, and can readily learn to use a litter box."
"However," she warns, "they can also be destructive. The ideal 'rabbit person,' in addition to being calm, patient and eager to get to know a rabbit on his own terms, must be willing to rabbit-proof an appropriate exercise area in the home to prevent damage from chewing." 2
Jules was relinquished to the animal shelter at age 2.5 years because
his teenage caretaker left for college. He was released to a rescue
group and adopted. A high-energy breed, he is an adorable
mini-lop requiring lots of attention.
All content and images © Running Bun Magazine. Use without permission prohibited. |
1 Petfinder.com Report of the Week, January 26th, 2008
2 February is Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month, http://www.rabbit.org/adopt-a-rabbit-month/adopt.html
-RabbitPhotog