i like yarn. and bunnies.

It’s that time of year again, and some folks will be getting baby bunnies as Easter gifts for their kids.  A few months from now, these bunnies will reach maturity and either the child will lose interest, or the parents will discover that a pet rabbit is more than they bargained for.  Shelters and rescues will be inundated with these unwanted rabbits.  If not taken to a shelter, they are either confined to an outside hutch or “set free”–the former being a miserable existence, and the latter being a death sentence. 

 Rabbits make great pets for the right people.  Before you decide to get a rabbit, there are several things to consider:

• Rabbits do not make good pets for children.  They are prey animals, and are easily startled by the loud noises and quick movements of an exuberant child.  Rabbits do best in a calm, quiet environment where a responsible adult is the main caretaker.   
• Rabbits do not like to be held.  Again, rabbits are prey animals and being picked up away from the floor is a lot like being carried off by a predator.  While some rabbits will tolerate being held, most will struggle to free themselves which can include biting and scratching.  Rabbits are such delicate creatures that they can break their own backs while struggling to get away from you.  If your child wants a pet to carry around and cuddle, a stuffed rabbit toy would be a much wiser choice. 
• Rabbits are not “easy-care” pets.  They are as demanding as a cat or dog.   They need daily, supervised play time outside of the cage.  Rabbits require a specialized exotic vet, which can be difficult to locate and expensive.  They need to be spayed or neutered, which can cost hundreds of dollars.   
• Rabbits can live ten years or more.  By the time your child is heading off to college, that rabbit will still be around. 
• Rabbits are not for the “house-proud.”  Rabbits are big chewers.  Anything within reach is fair game–shoes, books, electical cords, plants…whatever they can wrap their little teeth around.  Even with careful bunny-proofing, a rabbit will still chew on your furniture, baseboards, and even pull up the carpet. 

If you still think you might be a rabbit person, go to www.rabbit.org to find out more about living with a house rabbit, and for a list of rescue organizations in your area.  Thanks for reading!