When it wasn’t chocolate

[jerseygirl]

Ok, this is not a thread about rabbit poo been mistaken for a chocolate chip etc etc…

It’s about the push for sales of baby rabbits at Easter time. Many members here are familiar with the Make Mine Chocolate campaign  that discourages giving rabbits as Easter gifts and educates about rabbit care. Many members were also active prior to Easter in advocating for rabbits. 

I had been meaning to follow up with this earlier….and today it’s been on my mind a bit. So I just took a look at the calendar and it’s pretty much 8 weeks after Easter now. That means if it hasn’t happened already, many of the rabbits that were purchased at Easter time will start to be given away, sold, surrendered and dumped. Despite trying to get the message out at Easter time I’m certain a lot of people got pulled in by those cute fluffy faces and adorable eyes and ended up with a rabbit. I mean, who isn’t susceptible to that?!!!

Some people may have now become slave to that rabbit for life (Yay!) and some might now be facing rabbit puberty and looking for a way out.  So essentially, that’s what this thread is about: When people opted for the live bunny and not the chocolate version and now find themselves questioning that choice.

I think there may be an opportunity to still make a difference for those rabbits.  It might be scanning local advertisements and giving some advice that could encourage owners to give that rabbit a second chance. Directing people to resources that help care for them better.  Or it might be about steering them to a safe way to rehome a rabbit rather then offer it up free to the first person interested.  Giving this sort of advice will likely get mixed reactions no doubt, but in my mind I think it’s worth it if it can help the fate of a rabbit.  

So this is an invite to you all to come up with effective ways we can still be advocates for rabbits for this critical time post Easter.  Or share what you have been doing!

Sorry for rambling. I was just trying to get all my thoughts down and…. blah.

[Beka27]

I think it would nice if we could come up with a concise paragraph that folks could copy/paste with a few links regarding care and diet, indoor vs. outdoor, spay/neuter, and resources for rescues.

I know it’s really tough for a lot of people to browse thru Craigslist and other ad websites because the natural instinct is that you want to save all the bunnies. Keep in mind, it is not your responsibility to save the rabbits yourself. And in the long run, it is actually better that you don’t. When ready for a new bunny, adopt from real rescues. Provide the info, but remember it is ultimately up to them what they choose to do. Taking in “Easter Bunnies” only perpetuates the idea that once they become too big, they can just list them, and “some rabbit nut” will take them in.

[jerseygirl]

Thanks for that Beka! Absolutely, I don’t encourage people be taking on all the rabbits in need themselves. I’m encouraging assisting those out there that have them that have run in to problems. By offering friendly advice that may help novices keep that rabbit. We were all novices at one time. Sites like this one have been invaluable in caring for our rabbits.

I do also caution if people do (or are) perusing ads, to prepare yourself at what you may find.

[Kate Monster]

I went to my local humane society to inquire if I could donate money or supplies specifically for bunnies, and assuming I can get a ride over there, I’m going to drop off some small toys, litter, and food for them. But it would be nice to try and prevent bunnies from ending up in the shelters at all.

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