By Sharon Boyles
What could be cuter than a soft, furry baby bunny in the Easter basket? It can be a fun surprise, even better than a chocolate rabbit or a stuffed animal. But what happens after Easter? Long after the candy is eaten and the stuffed animal becomes the dog’s favorite toy, the bunny will still be there. A bunny is a living being with its own spirit and a life span of seven to twelve years. There are some important things to consider before you tuck Peter Cottontail into an Easter basket this year.
Although bunnies are super cute, not everyone wants to have a pet or is able to take care of one. Kids may be enchanted at first but then lose interest after a while. An adult may simply not have the time, space, or inclination for a pet. Bunnies are high-maintenance creatures, requiring daily care and daily time outside the cage to run around and play. Bunnies are also very smart and need stimulating activities. They also have a strong sense of etiquette and it’s important to be patient with them. Rabbits also need a vet that specializes in bunny care.
Also consider that any pet should be a lifetime commitment. A baby bunny becomes an adult bunny and will need to be spayed or neutered at 4-6 months. You’ll also need a habitat: a large cage, hutch, or enclosure that should be cleaned once or twice a week. Bedding, hay, food pellets, and chew toys are all necessities. Bunnies need fresh vegetables and seedless fruit on a daily basis, plus monthly nail trims and weekly brushing. An annual checkup is also important because bunnies don’t always let you know when something’s wrong.
A bunny is much more fragile than a dog or a cat. Dropping or grabbing a bunny could cause serious injury…and a serious vet bill! A bunny is also a prey animal, which could spell trouble if there’s already a dog or cat in the house. Being a prey animal also makes a rabbit a more skittish pet because they can bite or claw or turn into a fighter when they’re picked up.
If you decide that a bunny is a good fit as an Easter gift, be sure to check out rabbit rescues before you head to a pet store. There are local rescues where you can find a young bunny, such as Ohio Pet Sanctuary, Badger Farms Rabbitry and Rescue, and Columbus House Rabbit Society.
Many Easter bunnies end up in shelters and are one of the most euthanized pets in the U.S., along with dogs and cats. Unwanted bunnies are also simply dumped in the wild, but domestic rabbits aren’t equipped with the survival skills to live outdoors and unless they’re lucky, they face an early death from exposure or predators.
Stephanie Ewing of Anderson Township shared her story about her bunny, Fritz, who had a happier ending than most bunnies released outdoors. Fritz was likely an abandoned Easter bunny, found in a backyard. She was very thin and in a perilous situation with a hard winter coming on. She was taken to a shelter, but the shelter said they were already full up with former Easter bunnies, so she found a home with Stephanie. “We’re so grateful that she came into our lives,” she says, “but the circumstances make us sad. [Dumping] is a cruel way to deal with the situation. It’s better to reach out to a shelter and find help.”
Do some research and make a responsible decision this Easter. Consider the realities of owning a rabbit before getting one or giving one. If there won’t be a commitment to the rabbit, it’s best to let Peter Cottontail keep on hopping down the bunny trail. Fill that Easter basket up with yummy candy or a stuffed bunny instead!