Thinking about giving the kids a bunny for Easter? Maybe think again.
Parents and grandparents applying to adopt a rabbit for Easter might want to give a toy or chocolate rabbit instead, said Linda Jones and Ron Steger, founders of the Erie Area Rabbit Society & Rescue, or E.A.R.S.
Four out of five rabbits given as Easter gifts die within a year, mostly from neglect.
"They're not starter pets or pocket pets. They need a lot of care and attention," Steger said.
A hoppy couple: Erie husband and wife spend their days volunteering at a rabbit rescue
"We're getting applications from grandparents or parents who want to put a bunny in the kids' Easter basket," Jones said. "Don't do it."
Rabbits are high maintenance for owners
Domesticated rabbits are prone to respiratory tract infections, parasites and dental and digestive issues, among other ailments.
And because they're categorized as exotic pets, veterinarian care can mean a trip to Cleveland, Pittsburgh or Buffalo to see a veterinarian that specializes in them. And ailments that a local vet can treat might cost more than you'd expect, again because the pet is exotic, Steger said.
Even healthy rabbits need daily care, including fresh timothy hay or orchard grass that double as food and "litter."
"You can't just put out a bowl of food, like you would for your cat, then go away for the weekend," Steger said. "A rabbit needs looked at, minimally, every 12 hours."
Earlier this year: Erie Humane Society takes in 107 cats from local home
"For one thing, you have to watch every day to see that they've eaten," said Heather Cash, volunteer marketing and communications director for E.A.R.S. "If they haven't, it's an emergency."
It's not 'Bugs Bunny'. Forget the carrots
They might be Bugs Bunny's preference, but carrots can cause digestive issues for rabbits.
Instead they mostly eat fresh timothy hay or orchard grass, available from E.A.R.S.
"Rabbits need to chew. Their teeth grow constantly, and chewing keeps their size down," Steger said.
Fresh, unsprayed apple branches are another favorite chew.
Meet Horus: Erie Bureau of Fire adds four-legged firefighter, to aid fire scene investigations
"The branches you can buy in pet stores aren't fresh. They come from China or Vietnam," Steger said. "You have to get it locally and it has to be pesticide free."
Rabbits also need daily greens such as romaine lettuce or cilantro plus a little pellet food for nutrients and fresh water.
Rabbits need room to roam
Bunnies are born to hop, among other things.
"They need to move around," Steger said, ideally in open space.
Rabbits can be kept in an X-cage, or expanded-size cage, but they still need to be out of the cage daily
"Rabbits aren't happy in cages," Steger said.
Rabbit adopt and release isn't an option
Domestic rabbits generally die when they're released outdoors, where predators and parasites make survival iffy even for their wild cousins.
"We once had 74 Harlequins," a multi-colored breed of rabbits, Jones said. "Twenty-three were released in two North East parks, and fortunately, someone called us and we were able to rescue them. Those 23 had 51 babies."
Paying a price for inflation: Pets surrendered to Erie-area shelters
E.A.R.S. currently has more than 70 rabbits at its Bunny Bungalow at 2316 W. 38th St. in Millcreek and more in foster care. Most had been released or neglected.
Learn more about pet rabbit ownership
E.A.R.S. offers more information about rabbits and how to care for them on its website at eriearearabbitsociety.org.
Visitors are invited to visit the Bunny Bungalow to learn more. Better yet, Steger said, volunteer. Old hands will be happy to teach newbies the bunny basics, he said.
You can also talk to E.A.R.S. volunteers during the society's annual Hop Into Spring fundraiser at Bethel Baptist Church, 1781 W. 38th St., on March 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. The event includes kids' games and crafts, basket raffles, drawings, bake sale and pictures with the Easter Bunny.
Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@timesnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Thinking of giving a bunny rabbit for Easter? You might reconsider
