http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/apr/11/1mc11bunny202351-learn-about-new-bunnies-hop-exper/

Bank, executive director of the North County Humane Society & SPCA in Oceanside, said it usually starts like this: “You walk into a pet store to buy food for your dog, and you turn around and there’s this cute bunny. You think, ‘Hey, it’s Easter. I’ll get one of those for my niece.’ ”

However, a rabbit’s temperament is nothing like that of a cat or dog, Bank said, nor is its care. Such impulsive purchases lead to a spike in domestic rabbits being dumped at shelters or left in the wild to fend for themselves.

“In our shelter, rabbits are the third-most popular pet that we get in the door,” Bank said.

Last week, the Escondido Humane Society had 39 rabbits in its care, including 15 in foster care and 12 at off-site adoption locations – and were expecting more.

“When people do adopt bunnies around Easter, we are very careful to make sure they are informed about the responsibilities that come with adopting a rabbit,” Escondido Humane Society spokeswoman Katie Woolsey said.

Both humane societies encourage people to take time to consider whether a rabbit is the best pet for them. If so, rather than buying one in a store, Woolsey and Banks encourage people to adopt one of the many abandoned rabbits at the shelters.

Both humane societies work closely with the San Diego House Rabbit Society, a rescue organization that pays for the rabbits’ spaying or neutering. It also takes in surplus rabbits when the shelters are full, rabbit society president Judith Pierce said.

For those who have already purchased their little Peter Cottontail and become flummoxed by its behavior, the society offers free advice, Pierce said. Food, toys, supplies and advice are available Saturday afternoons at the Rabbit Society’s Bunny Store in the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego.

“We can teach them how to house their rabbits properly, how to bunny-proof (their home) and give them referrals to spay or neuter them.

“A sexually mature rabbit is a little holy terror. They get aggressive; they spray urine to mark territory. They’ll chew and dig. If you go get this bunny spayed or neutered it will really alter that behavior and turn them into wonderful little companions.”

Many people make the mistake of keeping their rabbits in outdoor hutches or pens, where the animals fall prey to heatstroke, parasites and predators.

The preferred place for a pet rabbit is in the house, in a roomy cage or puppy exercise pen, Pierce said. Rabbits can be litter-box trained easily, using a paper-based litter with hay added, she said.

Rabbit purchased from a pet store or breeder are often weaned too early and can become ill, Pierce said.

“They don’t have a good immune system, and they can die – sometimes after people have spent quite a lot of money at the vet on them,” she said.

Shelter volunteers work with the rabbits, acclimating them to a home environment. “They’re socialized to live in an indoor home,” Pierce said. “The rabbit’s personality is well-known. Its medical history is pretty well-known. It’s just a great option for adopting.”

In addition to the humane societies, rabbits are available for adoption from the rabbit society.

“We think rabbits make fabulous pets,” Bank said. “We just want people to recognize the responsibility and the care and to do their research.”

Pat Sherman: (760) 752-6774; pat.sherman@tlnews.net

Pat Sherman: (760) 737-7556;