Just say no to the Easter bunny

It's that time of year again. Easter. And that means it is time for me to ask everyone not to buy a rabbit.

Late last night as we were driving to the grocery store Paul spotted a small round lump sitting in the gutter along side the curb. We stopped the car and realized that it was a young rabbit. This was not a wild rabbit, it was domestic and it was very small and it was, no doubt, an Easter bunny purchase. I have no idea how this bunny came to be outside in the freezing cold. It was scared and hungry and would not let us anywhere near it. We spent several hours trying to catch it. We tried to lure it with fresh greens but it clearly had never had such food in it's life and didn't know what to do with it. We went back with pellets but by then it was in hiding and we couldn't find it. It was midnight and we had to give up.

I can't really explain how sad this situation makes me. I didn't sleep at all. I just kept picturing this defenseless creature in the cold, in a part of town that is overrun with stray cats and a busy, high traffic road. The chance for survival is slim. My anger towards the irresponsible people who purchased this rabbit is growing. I hope I never know who they are. They are safer that way.

Last year I wrote a post by the same name that can be read here. This year I will make some simple statements:

• Instead of purchasing a rabbit for Easter donate the money you would have spent to your local chapter of the House Rabbit Society.
  
• If you must have a rabbit please do not keep it in a cage whether it is inside or out. Most people would never consider keeping a cat or a dog in a cage its entire life and yet that is what people do to rabbits on a regular basis. Rabbits need exercise, they need to run and play. They need soft ground to lay on and they need and enjoy interaction with people.
  
• Rabbits are easily litter box trained.
• If you have a house full of small children, cats and dogs, a rabbit is not for you. They enjoy calm, quiet surroundings.
  
• If you already have a rabbit please have it spayed or neutered. A female rabbit has a high probability of having uterine cancer if not spayed. They must be spayed!
  
• Buy a chocolate bunny instead.
  

I am off to look for the rabbit again. Perhaps in the daylight I will have more success. Wish me luck.