Easter might not be a bad time to adopt a rabbit, experts say
Despite statements all about social media that this is a bad time to get a pet rabbit, you can find no proof “Easter bunnies” are much more very likely to be deserted.
WASHINGTON — Individuals all around the earth will rejoice Easter this weekend–a Christian celebration of rebirth, and a holiday emblematic of the pleasure of spring—and, for lots of, the pleasure rabbits can bring.
The Easter bunny may possibly be tugging at your heartstrings and top your loved ones to get a pet rabbit of your very own. However, posts all around social media discourage this, stating rabbits are ordinarily dumped at shelters once the “Easter bunny” enjoyment has light.
When it is critical to do study no make a difference the time of year, animal adoption specialists say a bunny for your basket is not always a bad strategy.

THE Dilemma
Is there a leap in rabbit surrenders all over the place soon after Easter?

Resources

THE Solution
Although some shelters may see this, there is no proof this takes place on a nationwide scale.
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WHAT WE Located
Both equally of our experts say there is not actually any facts to verify this takes place, at least not on a significant scale.
“We’ve read both we have read businesses that say that they get flooded with rabbits following Easter,” claimed Hamrick. “And we have organizations that say that they have appeared at their facts more than the last 15 years, and it truly is under no circumstances took place.”
Woolbright claims it’s a 12 months-spherical problem—especially between individuals who adopted rabbits throughout the COVID-19 “stay at home” times, and are now on the lookout to off-load the pets.
“And so the shelters and rescue groups are entire of rabbits who are searching for a long lasting dwelling,” she explained.
Rabbits normally wind up in shelters when house owners lives’ change–or they know rabbits are a little bit a lot more perform than anticipated: dwelling bunnies can stay for a ten years or much more, want several hours of work out, and can be fairly distinct, Woolbright laughs.
“They’re not cuddly toys that you can do whatsoever you want with. They are social, intelligent, at times goofy, occasionally foolish companions,” explained Woolbridge. “Rabbits are fantastic for the proper folks. Not everybody ought to have a rabbit.”
Do your research to uncover out if a rabbit is the right addition to the family, no issue the time of year—especially if you are seriously itching for a real-lifetime Easter bunny, states Hamrick.
“We would enjoy for them to go to a shelter. And it doesn’t alter the way that that shelter counsels a spouse and children about what is actually wanted for the bunny and the prolonged-time period care,” she stated. “And so if we can maximize adoptions this time of year by form of enjoying off of the Easter piece, then we are thoroughly supportive of that. Our end objective is that animal shelters would be able to place all of the animals that occur into them for a new residence.”
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In reality, Hamrick claims it’s an old idea that gifted animals, in a basket or normally, are often a terrible detail.
“Actually, the research is very distinct that pets provided his presents are not additional possible to be surrendered,” she mentioned. “And in actuality, they may perhaps be less likely to be surrendered, since the particular person who gifted the pet has a bond with the particular person who received it.”
Nevertheless, you’ll want to know a whole lot additional than that to know if a rabbit is correct for your house.
“The area to go is your local shelter or a rescue group,” reported Woolbright.
“They can support reply concerns, and determine out if a rabbit would seriously be a wonderful fit for your loved ones,” extra Hamrick.
If you have a pet rabbit or any animal that is turning out to be far too significantly, please do not allow it into the wild. Shelters and rescues have applications to enable you make it work—or will assistance locate that bunny a new house. Make contact with the Household Rabbit Modern society or The Humane Society of the United States to find far more information as very well as a area group that can help.
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