I see it every year, lots and lots of ads for unwanted REAL bunnies and chicks— bought by those who thought it would be a good idea to give these living, breathing ‘things’ as gifts for Easter.
Sure, those fluffy, furry rabbits are adorable and yellow baby chicks melt your heart but before you rush out to buy one or two or more to hand out to your children or other loved ones for the holiday, PLEASE think twice!
These animals are NOT temporary pets. Or at least they shouldn’t be. They require food, water, somewhere to potty, and a cage or safe haven for sleeping. AND they do require regular medical care— just like any other pet. So, if you don’t plan to make them a permanent part of your family and take care of them properly, please stick with the chocolate or marshmallow variety of bunnies and chicks.
Local shelters see an influx of surrendered or abandoned rabbits in the months or even days after Easter due to the impulse of purchases of these animals to be given to children. Honestly, rabbits do not like to be picked up and held frequently which in turn causes them to bite or scratch. Bunnies feel safer with their feet on the ground.
How about the plush kind? They’re just as cute!
What many people don’t know is that getting a rabbit spayed or neutered is important as well. Not doing so can lead to health and/or behavioral problems. Once they hit 4 – 6 months of age (their teen years), their hormones cause them to give off an odor and they can exhibit bad behavior. A moody bunny is not a happy bunny!
These are just a few things to think about before heading to your local pet store or breeder. What may seem like a great idea short-term, could turn into a death sentence for a bunny or chick (if abandoned) due to being ill-prepared to care for them.
There are many other ways to make Easter a special fun-filled day:
- Fill a basket full of toys and a few candies, wrap it in pretty colored cello, and tie it up with a big bow
- Hide brightly colored plastic eggs stuffed with goodies
- Take a sight seeing stroll through the park
- Dip dye hard boiled eggs
- Enjoy a feast with your loved ones
- Gather some materials and do some age-appropriate crafts
The list goes on and on.
As you can see I love bunnies and chicks, and all other animals, and care about their well being. So, I’m being an advocate for them by pleading with all of you to make an informed decision.
MAKE MINE CHOCOLATE!
© 2013, Dee @ Bella Savvy. All rights reserved.
Dee
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10 Responses to Only chocolate bunnies & chicks for Easter!
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I amso with you on this–I don’t advocate too much chocolate but a plush toy and a couple of pieces never did anyone any harm! Thank you so much for posting this!
Exactly! I even see people who own dogs and cats on a temporary basis. It makes me so sad. Do people not realize the amount of work a pet takes? I pinned this!
Thanks Christy!
There should be a waiting period for people that want to buy a baby chick or bunny. When you adopt an animal from the shelter you need to pay a fee and fill out paperwork. Too many people are impulsive and need to consider what will happen to the animal when it grows up, or they tire of it.
I cannot imagine getting a live animal as a gift. With little kids in diapers it is just not something I am willing to take on right now and should be something that is discussed with the recipient before hand to avoid such unnecessary stress. poor animals! I cannot believe people actually do this for Easter. I take my children on an Easter Egg hunt in our yard. They love it!
cute, I typ9ically get chocolate cross candy for the kids in our family amd try to stick to Christ centered items for gifts. My kids would love to have one of these animals though as a pet, they always want to see the baby chicks at our local fair each year and want one.
YUM! Can I eat those right off the screen? Love the idea of a cute little toy along with a limited amount of chocolate though.
Sorry, submitted before I was done typing! I completely agree with you on the topic. You should NEVER give any kind of animal as a gift unless you’re fully prepared to take care of it’s needs after the holiday has passed. It seems that giving a live chick is a tradition in the north, but it makes me upset when people try and give my kids an Easter gift of a live chick or bunny. We’re not prepared to take care of one, so please ask before you give it. Thanks for creating awareness.
As an adult I had a pet rabbit. It was so cool it had the run of the house.It was litter box trained and liked to sit on my lap and be petted. It never chewed on wires. I think it thought he or she thought it was a dog or cat.
That’s cute Lisa. I had a pet rabbit years ago when I was a little girl. My dad brought it home in his shirt pocket. That tiny bunny grew to be a huge Oreo loving bundle of fur. As long as a family plans to make a bunny (or chick) a part of the family and give it love, food and proper medical care, I see nothing wrong with getting one as a pet. But there are tons of people who get them because they’re cute and festive and they feel their child will like it, yet once the newness wears off, they wind up abandoned outside somewhere, dropped off at a shelter, or worse. I feel sorry for these pets. Many don’t make it to their first birthday. So sad!