Pets are for Life, not just for Easter!
With easter approaching fast, the pet stores & classifieds are flooding with chicks, ducklings, and baby bunnies. Iconic of spring and rebirth, children delight to find fuzzy, cuddly babies on easter morning from well intentioned parents. Unfortunately, the novelty often wears off before the easter candy has been eaten, and these pets are neglected, dumped in over-burdened shelters, or released into the wild as those cute, fuzzy babies become big adults with intensive care needs.
Little easter chicks often grow up into big, noisy, and potentially mean roosters; female chicks are profitable for sale as egg layers, so the majority of baby chicks marketted for easter are males. Even if you are lucky enough to get a hen, chickens need plenty of space to roam, a varied diet, the company of other chickens, and a secure area to sleep - and you'd better be prepared to clean up a lot of chicken poop. They aren't suitable for typical home environments, and depending on your zoning laws, could even be illegal to own.
Ducklings sold for easter typically grow into large meat breeds. Male or female, ducks are even harder to care for in a private home. In addition to needing the same sort of livingspace as chickens, they also simply don't remain happy and healthy without water - and plenty of it - to swim in. Like chickens, most townships have zoning laws prohibiting their ownership.
Bunnies may seem like an easy enough pet, being the third most popular companion animal in the US. However, many bunnies aren't currently receiving proper care due to owner ignorance. Did you know that the cute little easter fluffball you give your child can live over ten years, needs abundant hay and fresh foods to remain healthy, and may even require an expensive spay/neuter surgery to prevent cancers and distasteful behaviors like spraying? A $20 baby bunny will cost hundreds - if not thousands - in its lifetime.
Please, never give a live animal as an Easter gift, especially if you (not your child, who is incapable of providing for all of the care needs of another living thing) are not prepared to provide lifelong care.
Here are some alternatives to giving live animal gifts on Easter:
- Chocolate bunnies and candy eggs are a great alternative to live rabbits and birds, and only last as long as a child's short attention span.
- Stuffed animals are definitely cheaper and easier to care for than live animals - just an occasional run through the washing machine or attention with a needle and thread will keep them happy for years!
- Sponsor a rabbit, duck, or chicken; organizations like Farm Sanctuary, Best Friends Animal Society, etc. will send you a photo and story about a rescued animal that makes a great, compassionate alternative to buying an animal.
- Foster a rabbit through your local rescue, shelter, or branch of House Rabbit Society; this teaches children a much better lesson than an impulsively purchased pet.
- Visit a rescue or sanctuary with your family and make a special Easter donation to care for bunnies, chickens, and ducks that are very likely there after being last year's crop of gifts.
Here are some helpful links if you want to spread the word:
House Rabbit Society: Easter and Rabbits - includes flyers and letters to editor!
Make Mine Chocolate
Farm Sanctuary Easter Sponsorships
How Much Does An Easter Bunny Really Cost?
