An
Important Message about Bunnies at Easter!
An
Important Message about Bunnies at Easter!
It’s Easter time again. Pet store windows are filled with adorable baby bunnies. Your kids are begging you to buy one. It’s so hard to resist. After all, you think, wouldn’t this be the perfect, low-maintenance “starter pet” for a young child? Think again! Every year, many thousands of rabbits are abandoned to shelters or released outdoors (a sure death sentence for a domestic rabbit) often because of misunderstandings on the part of the parents who bought them for their kids. Rabbits are prey animals by nature. They are physically delicate and fragile, and require specialized veterinary care. Children are naturally energetic, exuberant, and loving. But “loving” to a small child usually means holding, cuddling, carrying an animal around in whatever grip their small hands can manage — precisely the kinds of things that make most rabbits feel insecure and frightened. Rabbits handled in this way will often start to scratch or bite simply out of fear. Many rabbits are accidentally dropped by small children, resulting in broken legs and backs. Those rabbits who survive the first few months quickly reach maturity. When they are no longer tiny and “cute,” kids often lose interest, and the rabbit, who has no voice to remind you he’s hungry or thirsty or needs his cage cleaned, is gradually neglected.
Parents, please help. If you’re thinking about adding a rabbit to your family think about this: pet rabbits have a lifespan of 8-10 years. Please don’t buy on impulse. Wait ‘til after the holiday. Make an informed decision by learning about rabbit care first. Consider adopting a rabbit from your local shelter or rescue group. And always make sure it is spayed or neutered. For the rabbit’s health and well-being (as well as for your child’s) make sure an adult will be the primary caretaker and will always supervise any children in the house hold who are interacting with the rabbit. Domestic rabbits are inquisitive, intelligent, and very social by nature. A rabbit is a delightful companion animal as long as you remember: he’s not a child’s toy. He’s a real, live, 10-year commitment. Thank you!
You Don't
Have to Buy A Bunny to Help One
Every Easter thousands of bunnies are bought from breeders, pet stores and
garden centers. Many are acquired on impulse – usually as presents for children
– and end up abandoned or neglected within a month of purchase. This year the
Easter message from rabbit welfare and rescue organizations is that you don’t
have to buy a rabbit to care for one. Here's how:
Adopt a rescued rabbit
Why buy a rabbit when you can adopt
one from a shelter? Rescue groups have bunnies of all ages, colors, shapes, and
sizes in dire need of a home. They can provide adopters with care information and
ongoing support that is not normally available elsewhere. The bunnies are
already socialized, spayed or neutered, and litter box trained.
Sponsor a bunny
If you can’t re-home a bunny, you
can still help by sponsoring them. The money is used to provide rescued bunnies
with food, housing and veterinary care.
For more information about adopting a rescued rabbit or
sponsoring a bunny, please visit the
BunnyBunch.org
`Twas the Night Before Easter
'Twas the night
before Easter, and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The baskets were ready for eggs they would find
Hidden by the Easter Bunny so cute and so kind.
The children were nestled all
snug in their beds
With no thought of their bunny who hadn't been fed.
With Ma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap
We knew he was hungry but we needed a nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear
But the Easter Bunny - with eyes full of tears.
He un-caged the rabbit, once
lively and quick,
Last year's Easter Gift, now lonely and sick.
More rapid than eagles he called the bun's name
And with a few binkies, the bunny happily came.
"You poor little
soul, so sad and alone,
With no one to love you in this so-called home.
How quickly they forgot about your joys and your needs.
Come with me, Little One, come with me please.
Run with me, Bunny, stretch
your legs tall!
Let's find you a home where you'll be loved by all."
The Easter Bunny left no chocolates that year
But he certainly made one thing quite clear.
The gift of a rabbit is not just for the season,
We had gotten the bunny for all the wrong reasons.
"A bunny would make a great gift!" was our thought
But there was one important thing we forgot.
A bunny should be family, and
loved just as much,
Not locked in a cage and denied human touch.
They need more than a name, a pat and a meal,
They need companionship and love that is real.
And I heard him exclaim as he hopped out of sight
"You weren't given a gift, you were given a life!"
Author Unknown
Please educate yourself on the proper care of rabbits. Thank you.
