As Easter passes, so does the holiday excitement characteristic of so many chocolate-themed religious events. With this fading excitement comes the consequences of impulsive actions carried out in the holiday spirit. And while the Easter Bunny may have retreated back to his springtime home, other bunnies may not have such an option.
Every year, Easter brings about a surge in rabbit sales from pet stores and sites like Craigslist. Parents want a cute gift for their child, so they buy little Timmy a baby rabbit to place alongside his candy and jelly beans in the Easter basket.
But rabbits are a 10-plus-year commitment and are often difficult for children to properly take care of. They’re higher maintenance than dogs and cats, and more difficult to find a home for when the inevitable time comes that the child becomes bored with the rabbit.
Unfortunately, chicks, ducks and rabbits, unlike dogs and cats, have a specific time of year where impulse adoption skyrockets. Afterward, shelters that cater to rabbits find themselves full and domesticated rabbits are often let out into the wild by naive owners who don’t realize that such an action is essentially a death sentence for their furry friend.
However, because rabbits and chicks sell so well this time of year, many pet stores stock up on these animals and advertise them as perfect Easter gifts. Some even dye their rabbits and chicks Easter-themed colors to make them appear more festive and less like living creatures that require care.
According to the House Rabbit Society, many rabbits bought as Easter pets don’t live to see their first birthday. “Some will die from neglect, while others will be abandoned in local parks or left at animal shelters,” HRS Vice President Mary Cotter said.@@http://www.rabbit.org/hrs-info/contacts.html@@
“It is irresponsible for pet stores to push rabbits and other so-called Easter animals during the holiday,” Cotter said. “Unless parents are willing to take full responsibility for the possible 10-year lifespan of a live rabbit, they should buy their children chocolate rabbits instead.”
Unlike other smaller rodents, rabbits cannot be kept in a cage 24/7. They require stretching time and a space to run and jump. Rabbits are by no means a “starter pet.”
But rabbits are fantastic pets. They make great companions and adorable housemates. They’re intelligent and each has a unique personality. They can be house-trained and can be easily taught other useful tricks. But they require daily exercise and attention. For this reason, many better-informed pet stores won’t even sell rabbits this time of year. Despite this, Craigslist is filled@@poor choice of words@@ with posts advertising “Easter rabbits” suggesting parents surprise the kids with a responsibility they’re probably not ready for.
In retrospect, the national symbol for Easter perhaps should have been a less intelligent, lower-maintenance animal, but a rabbit it is.
On this Easter and next, be mindful of the impact Pagan holidays have on rabbits. A chocolate rabbit is a much better impulse buy than a live one. However, while a weightier decision than many believe, adopting a rabbit can be a great experience. No, you can’t put the cage up on your dresser like your pet hamster from 9th grade. No, you can’t let it outside to poop, like your dog. But, with proper research and preparedness, a rabbit might be the best pet for you.