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istock.com |
Just like cats and dogs, there are
thousands of homeless rabbits across
the country. |
By Adam Goldfarb
Easter: a holiday filled with plastic-wrapped, chocolate-coated goodness. Add to that adorable baby rabbits mascots, and nothing could be sweeter, right?
It turns out, Easter isn't such a treat for rabbits who are given as gifts or for the animal shelters and rabbit rescue groups tasked with helping them once the Easter glow wears off.
Homeless Hares
"After the impulse purchase of a young rabbit, countless families find that they no longer want to care for the rabbit, and end up surrendering them at local humane organizations, adding to an already overwhelming burden of too many animals and not enough homes," according to Margo DeMello, administrative director of The House Rabbit Society.
Just like cats and dogs, there are thousands of homeless rabbits across the country. Post-Easter, rescue groups devoted to rabbits really feel the crunch. While animal shelters everywhere brace themselves for "kitten season" in the spring, the three months following Easter are the notoriously challenging times for surrendered rabbits.
Complex Creatures
Rabbits are not the easy "starter pets" that they're often perceived (and marketed) to be. As prey animals, they have unique personalities that are quite different from cats or dogs.
DeMello adds, "For those who are interested in a companion rabbit, education is the key to understanding the responsibilities of caring for these sensitive and complex creatures."
Rabbits can't be resigned to an outdoor hutch or tiny, pet store cage for their entire lives. They're social animals who need daily exercise and interaction.
"Rabbits don't make good gifts because they come with a 10-year commitment," said Susan Wong, president of the DC-metro-based Friends of Rabbits. "In addition to their long lifespans, rabbits might need extraordinary care in their later years."
A Rabbit-Proof Home
Rabbits require a great deal of care from their owners, and their physiology and digestive systems are far more unusual than might be imagined.
A proper bunny diet consists of plenty of timothy hay, an assortment of fresh vegetables, a small amount of timothy-based pellets and an occasional piece of apple, banana, carrot or other treat. Rabbits should never be fed the pellet mixes that contain corn, nuts, seeds and cereal, because these things can wreak havoc on a rabbit’s digestive system.
When they're not eating or lounging around, most rabbits are power chewers who enjoy a toy that they can really sink their teeth into. Chew toys, especially balls and bowls made of willow wood are a great way for rabbits to expend energy and wear down their always-growing teeth.
Rabbit-proofing a home is essential, because rabbits lacking these great toys may make their own fun.
Not For Everyone
Rabbits can make great pets, but they're not for everyone.
Anyone considering adding a rabbit to their family should adopt from an animal shelter or rabbit rescue group to save a life and ease the burden on these humane organizations. Don't forget that adult rabbits are just as wonderful as a younger rabbits.
"Babies are cute, but not when they're chewing your wall moldings or electrical cords," said Wong.
Adam Goldfarb is director of the Pets at Risk Program for the Companion Animals section of The HSUS.
