Take these tips from a ‘bunny mommy’
When thinking about what kind of gift to give your child this
Easter, many people think the perfect play toy for your child is a
live rabbit. Unfortunately, some people do not realize how much
work goes into caring for a rabbit.
Rabbits can live eight to 12 years. They do not make a good
match for young children because they are very mellow. A child will
of course want to hold their new pet, but rabbits become stressed
when held and may try to get away which could result in an injury
to the rabbit. Rabbits cannot live outside in a hutch. The Colorado
weather is not conducive, they are very isolating, and there are
many predators. If you do keep a rabbit inside, the whole house
needs to be rabbit proofed.
Every year after Easter hundreds of unwanted rabbits are taken
to shelters or dumped in the wild. If you do this after your child
fails at taking care of their rabbit, you are showing them that it
is OK to dump your responsibilities on someone else.
Speaking as a bunny mommy myself, rabbits are wonderful
companions if you live in a calm house that has been rabbit
proofed. They deserve just as much care as a dog.
Please do not buy baby rabbits from stores when there are
thousands of animals in shelters that need your love. If you are
interested in adopting a rabbit you can visit the Colorado House
Rabbit Society at www.coloradohrs.com.
Lauren Winn-Dallmer
Centennial
