By Kelly Connolly
In America's pantheon of beloved pets, there are dogs, cats, birds, and...rabbits?!
That's right, there are more bunny huggers than you might have realized. Rabbits have become popular companion animals in America, hopping their way into our hearts, right alongside those cuddly canines, furry felines, and amiable avians. If you'd like to join the party and follow Alice down the rabbit hole, there's only one place to go to adopt these unique animal companions: your local shelter.
February is "Adopt-A-Rabbit" month, an effort between the House Rabbit Society (HRS) and other animal protection organizations to promote that very idea: that shelters have more than cats and dogs; they also have any type of rabbit you could possibly want. This year's theme is, "Warm Your Heart, Warm Your Home—Adopt a Rescued Rabbit."
The mission of the House Rabbit Society is to educate the public about rabbits as pets, as well as to aid in the rescue and adoption of homeless or abandoned animals. February is the perfect time for HRS and others to push the Adopt-A-Rabbit theme: The month falls just weeks ahead of the April 9-11 Easter weekend, when rabbits often go through their own trial.
Because rabbits are an ancient symbol of Easter—well, actually Eastre, a Saxon pagan festival that was eventually adopted and modified by Christian missionaries—many people impulsively rush out and buy a bunny from their local pet store to mark the holiday. But here's the problem: Once these cute bunnies grow into adult rabbits, these same people realize they don't have the time to care for the animals, and they relinquish their "Easter bunnies" to shelters across the country.
In fact, the days and weeks after Easter turn into something of a ritual for shelters: Shelter employees watch as their cages gradually fill with discarded Easter bunnies. It's an all-too-true fact of life: Whenever a particular animal surges in popularity, whether due to a Hollywood box-office hit or a simple holiday, these "fad" pets usually find themselves unwanted once the novelty has worn off. They also find themselves right back where they were: looking again for a new home, this time in the care of the local animal shelter.
The Humane Society of the United States encourages people interested in a rabbit to adopt one from their local shelter, but only if they have done their homework. Rabbit care requires more work and time than many people realize, notes Stephanie Shain, director of outreach for The HSUS's Companion Animals Section.
"Rabbits are very appealing and can make great companion animals, but they take specialized care," Shain says. "Like any domesticated companion animal, they need to be fed a diet appropriate for their digestive tracts, and have to live in a home environment conducive to their social development. Rabbits need a lot of socialization, and can't just be put in a cage with little or no handling if they are expected to become well-adjusted and happy pets. A person willing to adopt a rabbit must be very patient and gentle, and truly ready to make a commitment to satisfy all the needs that basic rabbit care requires."
As dedicated rabbit owners can confirm, a properly socialized rabbit is well worth the time spent on the animal's upkeep. Rabbits are intelligent, fun-loving creatures who love attention; they will even show their affection by nudging and licking you. Rabbits can learn to get along well with other companion animals and children, and can even respond to their names. And just like cats, a rabbit can be trained to use a litter box!
Spayed or neutered rabbits make even more desirable pets. Aggressive tendencies, or urine-spraying behaviors, will be reduced or eliminated when the rabbit is spayed or neutered. A sterilized rabbit is also less likely to act territorial, and consequently can be easier to approach, especially by other pets or children. What's more, spayed rabbits have no risk of contracting uterine cancer and, of course, sterilizing your rabbit will prevent unwanted litters. Simply put, it is just as crucial to spay or neuter your rabbit as it is to sterilize your dog or cat.
"What more could you want from an animal? Rabbits are inquisitive and active, cuddly and cunning," The HSUS's Shain says. "It is no wonder they are the most popular small animal pet."
Even the current language of the pet-adoption world seems to reflect the animal's rising popularity: They are no longer called "domestic rabbits," but "house rabbits," no doubt indicating how adaptive the animals are to living with humans. And with several different species to choose from, including the Dwarf, Lop-Eared, Himalayan, and Angora, there is bound to be a rabbit at your shelter who would be a perfect match for you and your family.
For more information on care and handling, read our page on How to Care for Rabbits or visit the House Rabbit Society's web site.
Kelly Connolly is an Issues Specialist in The HSUS's Companion Animals Section.
