Why it’s not a good idea to buy bunnies, chicks as Easter gifts
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LOS ANGELES – 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.
“Bunnies and chicks are pets who require care and love. They should NOT be given as a gift,” Los Angeles Animal Services said Saturday on Easter pet safety tips.
“We’re always concerned with the possibility of people unwisely purchasing rabbits or chicks around Easter,” said Kevin McManus, communications director for the Pasadena Humane Society, told City News Service.
“Our advice to people is to consider the long-term needs of any animal one chooses to bring into their household: That rabbit that is so cute on Easter has a lifespan of eight to 12 years. Rabbits need specific food, housing and care. Be sure to research that to make sure your family is prepared for that.
“Those adorable chicks may turn out to be roosters (which are not allowed in most jurisdictions), and even if they’re hens, they need care, a place to live, and to be shielded from predators (and bird flu!). It’s far easier, and just as cute to surprise your kids with a stuffed animal- no maintenance required” he 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.
For Bunny World Foundation — the Southland’s most active rabbit rescue organization — spring is the worst time of year, as the post-Easter dumping phenomenon coincides with rabbits’ natural breeding season to create an overwhelming influx of unwanted bunnies.
The all-volunteer rescue group attended the LA Arboretum’s annual Spring Fling event on Good Friday to counter popular misconceptions and educate the public about the realities of caring for rabbits. BWF founder Lejla Hadzimuratovic brought along some of the group’s rescued bunnies who are available for fostering or adoption for those who are serious about the commitment.
“Let this be the year more people finally show mercy and say no to treating living rabbits like Easter toys,” Hadzimuratovic told CNS last year.
“Rabbits are not disposable props, toys, or gifts — they are highly sensitive, fragile, intelligent, high maintenance companion animals who need and deserve responsible adopters ready for the 10-plus year commitment of proper care.”
The Los Angeles Rabbit Foundation, a chapter of the House Rabbit Society, is spreading a similar message.
“Rabbits make poor pets for small children. Most rabbits do not like to be picked up and held, and may scratch or bite in an effort to get free, or be injured when dropped,” the group says. “The typical `Easter bunnies’ illegally sold on the streets or in pet stores are usually babies, taken from their mothers before they are properly weaned. They will die soon after purchase — hardly a fun experience for kids!”
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 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 who 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 here.
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. (CNS)
