The Sad Truth About Easter Pets

Every Easter dozens of merchants line the streets selling Easter chicks, rabbits and ducks. These cute snuggly animals seem an ideal gift for little tikes on the holiday. But now, several weeks after Easter, where are these pets?

Over last years summer break, I had a startling surprise. While I was gardening my son called me over to the side of the house and low and behold there was a white baby bird. Not being familiar with farm animals my self, I wasn't quite sure what it was. After searching the internet I discovered this was an adolescent chicken, just big enough to have once been a fuzzy yellow Easter chick. Thankfully I found her before something else did, she would have made a tasty meal for a local cat, dog or large bird.

Upon closer inspection I noticed the poor little creature had several broken feathers, a little spot of blood on her wing and a hurt leg. Because I have another bird, I had a spare cage and food for the little chicken and was able to nurse her back to health for several days. But the problem remained, I live in a neighborhood which frowns on farm animals as pets plus the chick became an instant hit with my dogs and cat, not to mention driving my parrot crazy with jealousy. I had to find some place safe for the chick. Animal Control was my first thought, but I am a firm believer that animals shouldn't be killed for human stupidity. So I called my local county extension office for help. They referred me to a petting zoo close to my house. After some rehabilitation my chick will be on display, happy and cared for at this farm. I was thrilled to find such a great place for my chick to live!

But it did get me to wondering, what happens to other baby animals that are given as Easter gifts? I was shocked to find that my chick was one of the few lucky ones that survived. An astonishing number of baby chickens, ducks and rabbits don't make it past the first few weeks due to poor handling and mistreatment from children. Those that do survive are often set loose and eaten by wild (or domesticated) animals, when they loose their soft yellow down and start to grow into real chickens. Others are shipped off. At Clayton College & State University in Forest Park, Georgia, the lake on campus becomes home to dozens of new adolescent ducks and geese this time of year. Many rabbits are set loose because they turn out not to be the most ideal pet. They don't particularly like to be held, require three hours of exercise a day and need a cage big enough to move around in, not to mention they can live for more than 12 years if properly cared for.

Teaching children that pets are disposable is a terrible thing. Pets are wonderful and should be considered part of the family. Teaching children to care for and respect an animal is the most important thing. Parents don't buy your child any pet unless you and the child are willing to commit several years of care, food and vet expenses. If you happen to be one of these parents that has an unwanted Easter pet, please don't just set them loose. Call your local extension service or humane society and they will be able to refer you to a place that rescues unwanted pets of all kinds. Be responsible, life is a gift regardless of what form it takes.