photo courtesy of istockphoto.com
Easter is one of the best holidays of the year. It’s a great opportunity for families to get together and celebrate the season. Easter also marks the time of the year when the weather turns pleasant and the flowers begin to bloom. But for traditional Easter pets; rabbits, chicks and ducklings it can mark the beginning of the end.
Baby rabbits are the most common animal gift for Easter, but chicks and duckling are also given. More often then not they are chosen because of their cute, fluffy appearance that appeals to parents and children. Sometimes they are even dyed with pastel colors so they can fit into the perceived color scheme of the Easter holiday.
After the excitement of receiving the baby rabbit wears off what happens to your new pet? There are exceptions of course, but most often they are kept in a cage and rarely played with. Many are let loose to fend for themselves in the wild, which they cannot. And some are brought to Humane Societies in the hopes that they will be adopted.
Rabbits and even ducks and chicks are like any other animal, they are a lifetime commitment. Many can live to be 9 or 10 years old and when the cuteness disappears the animal then becomes the victim. The Humane Society of the United States points out several facts that need to be communicated about rabbits, chicks and ducklings:
- Baby animals grow up quickly and may no longer be as appealing to a child.
- All animals require a serious commitment of time and energy—they need daily interaction and playtime with people, food, water, exercise, attention, and regular veterinary care.
- Chickens, ducks, and rabbits need special care.
- Chickens, ducks, and rabbits are among the species that can transmit Salmonella.
- Rabbits are not “low maintenance dogs”, they require special care and have specific needs not similar to the needs of dogs and cats.
- Baby animals can be accidentally killed or permanently injured if children (or adults) handle them incorrectly.
If you are thinking about buying a pet for your child or anyone else for Easter, please reconsider. These animals are a lifetime commitment and not a toy that can be put aside once the novelty wears off. Think about buying a stuffed animal instead; they are furry and soft like the real thing, but don’t require the time or financial commitment.
Jack Fisher,
Board of Directors
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