Bunnies rescued from a hoarder’s house hang out at OC Animal Care in Tustin on Monday, Jan 13, 2020. (File picture by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — Rabbit rescue groups throughout Southern California are once again prompting individuals not to buy bunnies as Easter presents for kids, stating that what starts as a well-intentioned gesture typically causes abandoned animals when the novelty diminishes and households understand they’re not geared up to correctly take care of the family pets.
Instead, rescue groups and animal control authorities suggest purchasing a packed toy bunny or chocolate sweet bunny for kids’ Easter baskets.
“Easter bunnies who magically appear and lay multi-colored eggs shown on greetings cards and cartoons are nothing but a fantasy,” said Lejla Hadzimuratovic, creator and president of Bunny World Foundation, a Los Angeles-based not-for-profit that has actually rescued countless undesirable bunnies from shelters and owner surrenders because its starting in 2008.
“Every year, we scream from the top of our lungs that bunnies don’t make good Easter gifts, and still, those reminders go unheeded,” Hadzimuratovic informed City News Service in 2022.
Retail sales of bunnies, dogs and cats are restricted in California, however direct sales are still allowed, consisting of online, and prohibited street sales take place in city locations where infant bunnies are in some cases stealthily marketed as adult “dwarfs.”
Despite a regulation restricting the sale and purchase of live animals on the streets of Los Angeles, Hadzimuratovic says “the year-round live animal market in LA’s Fashion District, specifically Santee Alley, is thriving. Typically bought on a whim as a toy for a child, they often live a desolate life in the corner of a filthy cage without enrichment until they are abandoned to a shelter or die of neglect.”
As she did in 2015, Hadzimuratovic will be going to the L.A. Arboretum’s “Spring Fling” occasion on Good Friday to counter the popular misunderstandings and inform the general public about the truths of taking care of bunnies. She’ll bring along a few of the group’s rescued bunnies who are available for adoption — however just for those who are major about desiring bunnies in their lives.
“In 2022, 1,200 Los Angeles bunny lovers had their chance to meet some of BWF’s precious rescued bunnies at the gorgeous Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden … It was an inspiring community event and an excellent educational opportunity,” she said. “We’re expecting our efforts to double this time around. We’re bringing twice as many bunnies and volunteers to the event to promote the glory of rescued rabbits and educate the general public about their care.”
BWF conserves and re-homes numerous undesirable bunnies from Los Angeles-location shelters every year — a few of whom have unique medical requirements that position them at higher threat. But the group’s battles are amplified each spring by the results of the vacation, and other groups see the exact same issue.
“Every year, we receive numerous reports of bunnies who were bought for Easter and then discarded once their cuteness or novelty wore off, which is why we adamantly advocate against buying live animals as Easter gifts,” PETA’s Catie Cryar informed CNS. More details from PETA can be discovered at www.peta.org/features/reasons-never-buy-bunny/.
“Real rabbits and Easter don’t mix,” the Los Angeles Rabbit Foundation declared in its yearly Easter message this year.
“Rabbits make poor pets for small children. Most rabbits do not like to be picked up and held, and may scratch or bite in an effort to get free, or be injured when dropped. The typical ‘Easter bunnies’ illegally sold on the streets or in pet stores are usually babies, taken from their mothers before they are properly weaned. They will die soon after purchase — hardly a fun experience for kids!”
The group is a chapter of House Rabbit Society, a global not-for-profit headquartered in Richmond, California, that provides education about bunnies.
Jackie Tran, public details officer for Orange County’s animal care department, said OC Animal Care “recommends that the community resist the urge to get a pet on impulse. Bunnies, chicks, ducks, and other small animals are adorable, but they quickly grow into adults and require specialized daily care.”
Advocates for the animals do desire them to be embraced into caring houses, stating they can be fantastic buddies for those who are major about the dedication. Advocates state the animals are mild animals that use lots of advantages over other family pets, including their peaceful nature and a diet plan of hay and veggies that prevents contributing to the suffering and ecological damage fundamental in factory farming that produces dog and cat food.
Rabbits are not low-maintenance family pets. They need feeding, cleansing, and gentle indoor real estate in a bunny-proofed room, and veterinary care can be pricey, supporters note.
They’re likewise not perfect family pets for kids, as they react best to peaceful energy and can be quickly startled by the hyperactivity of a kid.
Animal supporters used a series of basic suggestions:
— Domestic bunnies ought to be kept inside your home at all times.
— Rabbits require to be made sterile or sterilized as quickly as they’re old adequate (in between 4 and 6 months) to prevent unneeded breeding and to assist their health.
— Once they’ve been made sterile or neutered, bunnies ought to be coupled with a mate for long-lasting friendship. Single bunnies can be lonesome and depressed.
— They ought to be fed a diet plan of unrestricted timothy hay and a day-to-day part of leafy greens, plus pellets and alfalfa hay for bunnies under 6 months.
— They ought to never ever be kept in cages, as they require room to hop around and exercise their legs.
— They require to be completely groomed every 2 to 3 months to eliminate excess fur and have their nails cut.
— They’re aggressive chewers, and require to be avoided electrical cables and anything that can be hazardous if consumed, such as taped or glued boxes.
— Bunnies who stop consuming or seem in discomfort can pass away within 36 hours, and require instant care from a vet trained in bunny care.
All 6 shelters in the Los Angeles Animal Services system have bunnies available for adoption, as do other Southern California shelters, and personal rescue groups use assistance and mentoring for brand-new bunny owners.
BWF provides a totally free foster program in which individuals take care of the animals, help promote them on social networks and bring them to weekly adoption occasions up until they discover a long-term home. They can be gotten in touch with at [email protected], www.bunnyworldfoundation.org or www.facebook.com/search/top?q=bunny world foundation.
The House Rabbit Society likewise has resources for learning more about appropriate bunny care, which can be discovered at rabbit.org.
