The Easter Bunny: Silly Parents, Rabbits Aren't for Kids!
That Bunny Will Defend Itself Against a Hyperactive Child
In truth, rabbits do not make good pets for children. Although prey animals, rabbits will defend themselves and often kick, bite, and even scream while being endlessly mishandled by a child. In futile efforts to escape the unwanted embraces of rambunctious children, the rabbit will most likely also sustain an injury and often a fatal one at that -- such as a broken back or neck. The child also risks the potential for a very painful rabbit bite from those great big Bugs Bunny incisors.
A slightly more fortunate Easter bunny recruit may live a little longer only for the child, who is most certainly the caretaker of this little life, to lose interest in the animal and eventually start skipping feedings or allow the water bottle to remain empty or both. At long last, the bunny perishes from neglect. As a rabbit rescuer, I once took in a bunny from an animal shelter who was surrendered at age 8 years during which time he was cared for only by a very young child. He was so ravaged from this fate, it took him nearly a year and half to recover his health. He has since been adopted and is now being lovingly cared for by responsible adults.
A common complaint to be heard from children who become disenchanted with their rabbit companion is that they are just plain boring. Terrified rabbits will sit in a hunched up position when they live in fear every day of their lives and do not do much of anything else. It's easy to understand why children craving interactivity would find this boring and also easy to understand why this is a successful survival strategy for a little prey animal. Eventually the rabbit's fear will impair his immune system and bring about an early demise. This happens very quickly for those unlucky buns who are imprisoned in the traditional backyard rabbit hutch. Exposed to the elements and predators, it is only a matter of time before they either die of a fear-induced heart attack - brought on by the sight or approach of a predator - or they succumb to the heat or the cold. The least lucky Easter bunny of all is the one whose uninformed family 'sets free' to be predated upon by a long list of natural enemies including skunks, raccoons, stray dogs, stray cats, coyotes, eagles, hawks, or owls. Getting run over by a car is also a possibility for the stray rabbit. The domesticated rabbit possesses none of the instinctual survival skills his wild ancestors did and also does not possess the same physical characteristics required for a life in the wild.
According to Kim Saunders, vice president of Shelter Outreach for Petfinder.com, "People know that dogs and cats end up homeless." Petfinder.com is the searchable database of homeless pets of all kinds. "We initiated Adopt-a-Rescued-Rabbit Month (February) to draw attention to the fact that rabbits are the third most likely animal to find themselves needing a new home. On any given day on Petfinder.com, there are over 5,000 rabbits available for adoption." 1 Some of these rabbits will be rehomed thanks to the efforts of shelter staff and volunteers but a great many of them will be euthanized through various methods because there simply are not enough homes for them.
Kathleen Wilsbach, president of the national rabbit rescue and education group, House Rabbit Society, informs us, "For the right people, rabbits are wonderful indoor companions. They get along with many other companion animals including gentle cats and dogs, are intelligent, affectionate and inquisitive, and can readily learn to use a litter box."
"However," she warns, "they can also be destructive. The ideal 'rabbit person,' in addition to being calm, patient and eager to get to know a rabbit on his own terms, must be willing to rabbit-proof an appropriate exercise area in the home to prevent damage from chewing." 2
Rabbits do indeed make wonderful companions for older, more mature children whom are part of a responsible, caring family and include the rabbit as part of this family group. And while often as long-lived as a cat or dog, rabbits also require specialized veterinary care as they are considered by veterinarians to be among the 'exotic' pets such as parrots and reptiles. This is more costly than run-of-the-mill canine and feline veterinary medicine and also more challenging in a variety of ways for the rabbit caretaker.
In a family where the rabbit's well-being and longevity are a consideration, a house rabbit will provide much good quality companionship and will endlessly charm his or her guardians with a happily twitching nose, bright eyes and bushy tail.
1 Petfinder.com Report of the Week, January 26th, 2008
2 February is Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month, http://www.rabbit.org/adopt-a-rabbit-month/adopt.html
Published by Patti Henningsen
Founder of Bright Eyes Sanctuary - an all volunteer animal rescue charity. Patti had to leave her career in 2001 due to chronic disease but continues to contribute to society by helping companion animals kee... View profile
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13 Comments
Post a CommentMy toddler has bonded very strongly with our family's pet rabbit, but I didn't rescue the rabbit with the assumption that he was a plaything. As soon as I brought him home, I made it clear to my 2-year-old that she can NOT play with Nimbus without an adult's help and that she has to respect him when he doesn't want to be cuddled. They get along great because my child understands the rules.
I had a bunny when I was about 7 or 8. He was getting ready to be killed. Just a wee Jack rabit. My Father allowed it. I nursed the little chap to health and he l9ved to be aboput 5 years. He thought I was short earred Dadduy II think. Had he =is own potty in the house and a nice cage outside when he wanted out.
Problem was he thonght he was a dog. and didn;t rrakize he was no match for most bigger di=ogs , but a large dog broke into his cage and killed thenpoor little thing, The dog lost all of his nose in the process and had to loose most of his face an ear and several front teeth.
Good article. My niece has a neat pair of scars where her big lop rabbit bit her on the shoulder. He lived outside in a big enclosure, where he tunneled and did rabbity things. But he was not much of a pet.
Sort of on topic and sort of off topic, there's an interesting article on the origins of the Easter Bunny. Appears he (she?) arrived here from Germany in the 1800's.
Might be worth repeating as the kids search for Easter eggs. If you want to see it, take a look at:
EasterBunny 1881
http://firstmention.com/easterbunny.aspx
.
I hope every parent out there considering getting a bunny for a pet, will read this article. What a wonderful source of information.
This is one of the best articles that has been written concerning the plight of the Easter bunny...Patti tells it like it really is, no holds barred...
This article is a great educational tool, the end result being many rabbits lives saved. Thank you Patti!
This is one of the best articles that has been written concerning the plight of the Easter bunny...Patti tells it like it really is, no holds barred...
This article is a great educational tool, the end result being many rabbits lives saved. Thank you Patti!
Well said, Patti! Rabbits are not toys. They have as much feeling and as much intelligence as cats,dogs, any other animal. They aren't throwaway items. To be fair, they aren't really suitable pets for small children, either, being very easily scared by sudden movements and shrill voices. A real toy and some chocolate eggs are a much better thing to give a child at Easter.
I applaud this article....bunnies are not plush toys to be bought for children on a whim and discarded like yesterdays papers. They are high maitenance, beautiful little companions for the caring bunny lover, and require constant love and attention. Buy your kids a plush toy bunny and chocolate bunnies for Easter, and donate to a rabbit refuge instead. It is time to put the needs of the rabbit first!!
As a fellow bunny rescuer/transporter/foster I enjoyed Pattis article. She is very informed and this is a great article to educate potential adopters.A bunny isn't a fun easter present to be thrown away when the family grows weary of caring for it.Buy your child a stuffed toy and give a donation to a bunny shelter that is taking care of all the throw away bunnys.
I'm looking forward to reading more articles that Patti has written...