Avoid the bunny trail this Easter

Rabbit rescuers nix impulse buys; Real animals need exercise, attention.

It's that time of year when some people may think they need some bunny. And if your kids drag you into the local pet store "just to look" before Easter, it's easy to fall for one. Baby bunnies are adorable, with softer-than-velvet fur, long, loopy ears and twitchy noses. But don't be tempted to adopt on a whim. Or because it's Easter.

"Please buy a chocolate bunny instead!" pleads Haviva Porter, the founder of Rabbit Rescue in Georgetown, which rehabilitates the abandoned and unwanted.

Easter is "the worst time of year for bunnies," Porter says. That's because some people adopt rabbits for sentimental reasons and only realize the extent of the responsibility afterward. Often, sentimentality is compounded by ignorance. If they're not neutered or spayed or properly socialized, rabbits can be problematic. They are sociable creatures with distinct personalities. They need exercise, affection and lots of interaction. Without adequate attention, training (they can learn to use a litter box) and exercise, an adult rabbit can become a badly behaved handful. And be forewarned, rabbits and children don't always mix.

The non-profit Ontario Rabbit Education Organization website suggests adoptive families don't include children under 7. The Toronto Humane Society also helps cope with unwanted bunnies. Last year it received 28 rabbits in March, 29 in April and 27 in May ? compared to 10 in February. The two agencies both have no-kill policies and have a slew of volunteers to nurture the animals as they wait for homes.

Rabbit Rescue has foster families who care for animals in their homes.Each year, it takes in about 300 animals, including some hamsters and other "pocket pets," and adopts out about 200. The rest stay with Porter's network of 50-plus volunteers.The Toronto Humane Society has about 25 volunteers who come to its River St. site to work with the rabbits and educate potential adopters. Nicole Brdlik heads the team that works with the rabbits. The manager of a real estate company has helped provide happy endings to some sad rabbit stories in the past five years.One case involved two neglected rabbits she'd seen at a pet store. The store owner later surrendered the rabbits to the humane society. One had to be euthanized. The other was well enough to be adopted but was scared of people.

"I sent out an email to all the volunteers asking them to please spend some extra time with this rabbit," Brdlik says.

Porter has similar stories of bunnies brought back from the brink. Those that have been most abused and neglected can be the sweetest, she says. "They just love to be loved. Maybe it is because they expect the worst

Rabbit facts

Before adopting, consider these facts about rabbits from the Ontario Rabbit Education Organization, a non-profit educational organization that promotes the health and well-being of domestic rabbits.

- Rabbits live up to 10 years. Be sure you want to make a long-term commitment, as it's harder on older bunnies to be displaced and to find them new homes.

- Rabbits do not like to be picked up. Get to know your rabbit by sitting quietly on the floor. They are very curious and will not be able to resist checking you out.

- Rabbits moult four times a year and need to be brushed at least once a week. Rabbits need exercise inside the house, outside their cage. You will need to bunny-proof your house. This includes making electrical cords inaccessible in any area where the rabbit is allowed to run. Remove house plants that can be toxic.

- A rabbit needs a familiar, safe caged area inside the house ? big enough to hold a litter box, toys, water and hay in an area large enough to stretch long legs.

- Rabbits need a daily diet of water, unlimited access to timothy hay (or other grass), two cups of fresh vegetables for each six pounds of body weight and 1/8 cup of pellets for every two to four pounds of body weight.

- Female rabbits can become pregnant at any time ? even a day after giving birth. Females should be spayed at 6 months and males should be neutered at 4 to 5 months of age.

Reference: www.thestar.com

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