[JudyKayTee]

I think it's that time of year AGAIN to explain how to properly care for rabbits and why they may NOT be the ideal gift for children. There is a pet shop in my area which has a pen of them marked $10.00 each. They are being lifted, handed to children, dropped back into the pen.

People are buying them. Maybe it's time for a refresher course?

[Alty]

Thank you so much for starting this thread Judy. I'm sure you know how very near and dear to my heart this topic is.

This time of year is always the hardest for me. I understand why some people think a bunny would be the perfect Easter gift, and with so many bunnies in shelters I definitely wish more would find their forever homes. Sadly that's not the case with most Easter bunny purchases.

People don't look past the cute little bunny and into the future. They think they're buying a cute pet that will cuddle with them, play with their child, and never have any issues.

Ask the average person how long a rabbit lives for and most guess around 3 - 5 years. Most breeds of rabbits, if properly cared for, can live up to 12 years. That's not a short term commitment.

Those cute little bunnies in the pet store will hit sexual maturity at 6 months. Most unaltered males will start to spray, and both sexes become aggressive once they hit sexual maturity. To spay or neuter a rabbit can cost up to $300 even more depending on where you live. Now that $10 bunny isn't looking so ideal. He's spraying, he's lunging and biting, he's not as cute as he was when he was a baby. But it's only a bunny right? Take it to the shelter, let someone else deal with it. It's not like you're giving up a dog. That's honestly how most people feel.

The worst part is that many of these people buy a new bunny every Easter. Yes, it happens. Get a bunny, keep it until it becomes a problem, give it to the shelter, or release it in the wild, and then next year get a brand new cute baby that is also destined for the shelter.

These animals are wonderful pets, if you know what you're doing and you're willing to invest the time and money to care for them properly.

All the regulars on this forum know that I have 4 rabbits. Two are shelter rescues, one is a rabbit that was found wandering the streets (which is where many end up before they're caught and brought to the shelter, because people think that domesticated rabbits can live in the wild like their wild cousins) and the other is a pet store bunny that tugged at my heart. I couldn't leave him there. :(

Three out of my 4 are spayed or neutered. The last one is too old for the operation and likely wouldn't survive.

Like any pet a rabbit isn't something you should adopt without doing research, without planning, and without realistically knowing the costs involved. If you know from the get go that you can't afford to spay or neuter, then don't get the bunny. If you can't buy the best cage that's out there, don't get the bunny. If you don't have at least 4 hours a day to spend with your rabbit, letting him/her hop around, then don't get a rabbit. If you have young children, don't get a rabbit.

If you are bound and determined to bring a rabbit into your home, then please don't support the pet stores that buy from so called breeders that are mass producing these poor little animals. Visit your local shelter. Most shelters will spay or neuter a rabbit before it's put up for adoption. In my shelter they often have very young bunnies up for adoption. The cost to adopt is a bit higher, but when the rabbit reaches 4 - 6 months of age that cost will include a spay or neuter done at the shelter. The shelter in my area charges $50 for an adult rabbit already spayed or neutered, or $75 for a baby rabbit which includes the spay or neuter which will be done at the earliest at 4 months of age. Considering that a $10 pet store bunny would end up costing well over $300 to spay or neuter at most vet clinics, this is one heck of a good deal.

Research before you purchase. Remember that Easter will come and go, but that bunny will be with you for up to 12 years. If you can't make that commitment, then please leave the bunny where it is.

I beg people to think before purchasing. All animals are living, feeling beings. They deserve a home that will care for them properly. They deserve to be in their forever home, and not tossed around from home to home, or even euthanized because of human greed. Be honest with yourself, ask why you really want that bunny. If you're willing to make all the commitments necessary then bring that bunny home. But if even one thing on the list isn't doable, get a stuffed animal for your child for Easter. Trust me, they'll be just as happy. :)

[Alty]

I have to post this here because it's this thread that was responsible.

Because of this thread I looked on the humane society website in my area, so that I could get the exact costs for a rabbit adopted from them. Of course, while I was there, I had to look at the rabbits available for adoption. :o

A good friend of mine recently lost her rabbit. It happened very suddenly. This was possibly the most spoiled bunny I've ever known. This friend goes all out for any animal in her home, and he had a very wonderful life. His death devastated her.

Well, while I was searching, I found a rabbit that looked exactly like her late bunny Jack. The only difference, she's a little girl, she's already spayed, she's molting (it's that time of year) and she just recently arrived at the shelter.

I instantly sent a picture to my friend, she called the humane society to ask some questions about the bunny (her name is Muffin) and my friend is going to the shelter tomorrow to meet Muffin and see if they're a good match.

So, thanks to this thread it's possible that another rabbit will be saved tomorrow, and not only find her forever home, but be in the best bunny home I can imagine. Heck, she's even luckier then my bunnies and my bunnies are spoiled and loved to the extreme. :)

Judy, there's also a 5 month old shepherd at the shelter that's just gorgeous. He's one of those dogs whose soul you can see through his eyes. He's already neutered and ready to go to his forever home. Hint, hint. ;)