Every year, breeders and bunny mills churn out baby rabbits and other small animals for consumers to buy on impulse for their Easter baskets. And every year, consumers realize after the holiday that caring for them is a whole lotta work, which leads many to abandon the animals or pass them off to shelters or rescues.
This creates an imbalance, at it's best.
Why Are Animals Abandoned After Easter?
Breeders often don’t let buyers know how much work is needed to take care of an animal. For example, rabbits pretty much chew 24/7, as their teeth never stop growing. They also have special dietary needs. (Think less lettuce, more hay).
Constant mental stimulation and space to run around are critical to a rabbit’s happiness, as like yourself, they would get depressed when confined to a cage, which could be life-threatening. When buyers realize all these things, it can to disastrous for the rabbit. They often get rid of the animal or simply lose interest in providing for their needs. A family may surrender them to already OVERBURDENED shelters, leave them alone in a cage, or simply turn them loose outside— A domestic critter doesn’t stand a chance against starvation, harsh weather, and predators.
These are all cruel ways of evading responsibility.
But this could be better mitigated by reminding others that bunny toys are for Easter baskets, but real rabbits are for life;-)
Informing potential buyers of the responsibility and care rabbits will need, including the lifespan of most rabbits, which often lasts a decade or more so. This will help ensure a lot of rabbits are not left homeless after the holiday, but instead will be safe, happy, and loved like they deserve to be.
Share and inform.
This creates an imbalance, at it's best.
Why Are Animals Abandoned After Easter?
Breeders often don’t let buyers know how much work is needed to take care of an animal. For example, rabbits pretty much chew 24/7, as their teeth never stop growing. They also have special dietary needs. (Think less lettuce, more hay).
Constant mental stimulation and space to run around are critical to a rabbit’s happiness, as like yourself, they would get depressed when confined to a cage, which could be life-threatening. When buyers realize all these things, it can to disastrous for the rabbit. They often get rid of the animal or simply lose interest in providing for their needs. A family may surrender them to already OVERBURDENED shelters, leave them alone in a cage, or simply turn them loose outside— A domestic critter doesn’t stand a chance against starvation, harsh weather, and predators.
These are all cruel ways of evading responsibility.
But this could be better mitigated by reminding others that bunny toys are for Easter baskets, but real rabbits are for life;-)
Informing potential buyers of the responsibility and care rabbits will need, including the lifespan of most rabbits, which often lasts a decade or more so. This will help ensure a lot of rabbits are not left homeless after the holiday, but instead will be safe, happy, and loved like they deserve to be.
Share and inform.
Words by Twilia;-)
