BC SPCA suggests to public chocolate bunnies the best kind of Easter gifts
By Nelson Daily Staff
The BC SPCA is urging the public not to not buy bunnies as Easter gifts this year.
Lorie Chortyk, general manager of community relations for the BC SPCA, says in a statement that rabbits and children are not a great match.
“Rabbits are great companions for adults, but are not appropriate pets for small children despite the pervasive media images of children with rabbits,” Chortyk said.
“They don’t like to be picked up, as they are prey animals and picking them up distresses them. Like any pet, they require proper care and can live up to 12 years.”
Each year SPCA branches across the province receive hundreds of abandoned bunnies after the holiday has passed and the excitement of a new pet has worn off and the reality of pet care sets in.
“The animals who are turned in at SPCA shelters are the lucky ones,” says Chortyk. “Many others are simply abandoned to the wild to fend for themselves. These domesticated rabbits often fall prey to predators such as coyotes, are susceptible to disease, or end up starving to death.”
Alternatively, she says, if there are no predators the rabbits may flourish and upset the balance of nature by multiplying into a serious overpopulation problem.
“We have so many wonderful bunnies available for adoption and we want to find them homes, but we also encourage people to be fully aware about what caring for a rabbit involves,” says Chortyk.
Rabbits sleep during the day, need fresh vegetables, Timothy hay, and pellets to stay healthy, and should also be spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted litters and to reduce territorial aggression.
Like cats, rabbits can easily be trained to use a litter box, which means they can be free-roaming rather than caged.
They also need exercise, daily grooming, and a varied diet that includes chew items that will keep the rabbit’s constantly growing teeth worn down. They should be housed indoors, which means guardians must rabbit-proof their home, which includes concealing exposed electrical cords and providing enough safe, chewable toys so the rabbit won’t be tempted to chew on other items, such as furniture and books.
The total cost for food, bedding, and other necessities will run $3,000 to $4,000 over the animal’s lifetime.
If you are able to provide for the needs of this unique and wonderful pet, the SPCA encourages you to adopt.
But be honest with yourself — the plush or chocolate kind will give a lot of pleasure to your children or significant other and is the kinder and more responsible choice, both for you and the animal.
For more information on rabbit care, visit www.spca.bc.ca/pet-care/care-behaviour/rabbits/.
