Public Service Announcement about Bunnies

[Book Lover]

Now I know DU'ers are a knowing bunch, but I thought I'd make sure this got posted in here. If you are thinking about bringing home a rabbit as an Easter surprise, check out rabbit.org, the House Rabbit Society's website. You can find info about your local HRS chapter, rabbit care, health advice, vets that have been trained in rabbit care, etc. Bunnies are great, but they are also full of personality and have needs more akin to a dog or cat than any "wild animal."

OK, back to your regularly scheduled Lounge. Thanks.

http://rabbit.org/easter/index.html

Contrary to Eastertime hype, rabbits and small children aren't a good match. The exuberance of even the gentlest toddler is stressful for the sensitive rabbit.

Children like a companion they can hold, and cuddle. That's why stuffed animals are so popular. Rabbits are not passive and cuddly. They are ground-loving creatures who feel frightened and insecure when held and restrained. The result: the child loses interest, and the rabbit ends up neglected or abandoned.

Easter bunnies soon grow large and reach adolescence. If left unneutered they will chew, spray or dig. Many end up neglected or abandoned. The result? Humane organizations such as House Rabbit Society see a huge increase in the number of abandoned rabbits after Easter. Help us stop this yearly cycle by educating yourself and others!

Know the Facts.

Rabbits are not "low-maintenance" pets, and are a poor choice as a pet for children.
They have a lifespan of 10 years and require as much work as a dog or cat.
Your home must be bunny-proofed, or Thumper will chew cords and furniture.
Rabbits must be neutered or they will mark your house with feces and urine.
They should live indoors, as members of the family.

[Jack Rabbit]

1. Thank you

On behalf of me and mine.



My portrait courtesy of the National Park Service

[Book Lover]

5. You are welcome!

It's my two-legged duty, after all...

[ET Awful]

2. If a person is prepared, and ready to take proper care of a bunny

they can make a damn good pet though. They aren't really my style, but I've known people that had 2 or 3 house rabbits, and they were some of the most loveable little things I ever encountered. Totally friendly, social and unafraid of people. One would hop right up and sit in your lap :)

[Book Lover]

3. Absolutely

I also have known bunnies that have risen to the top of the "food chain" in households, bossing around cats and dogs (well, smaller dogs anyway :-) )And I know that in the past three years, there has been a happy dropoff on the numbers of abandoned rabbits after Easter. We just want to make sure every house rabbit is a wanted house rabbit :-)

[Hugin]

4. I had pet bunnies as a child...

They were good pets. But, I've always been good
to my pets.

Yes... They can be difficult.

(and prolific)

[Book Lover]

11. The stories I hear

amaze me; rabbits fly/hopping from tabletop to tabletop in order to make the humans make a lot of noise is my favorite (I've seen it in action...)

[yellowdogintexas]

6. wouldn't be prudent in my house, as CatZilla would probably

stalk it and if it didn't have a massive coronary immediately, zilla would make sure he played with it until it did.

I base this on past experience with squirrels.

But seriously, much gratitude for placing this post! I remember the pink and purple chicks and duckies we gotas kids that died almost instantly.

[Book Lover]

12. That must have

been so sad, to have them go so quickly. My father used to raise chickens, and I loved the baby chicks, and would sob like the little girl I was when the weaker ones went.

[bigwillq]

7. My aunt has a bunny!

He's like a cat. Goes in the litter box, has a sleep bed, runs around the house. He's so cute.

[Book Lover]

13. Yeah, they

fill the same kind of house-place as cats. I've seen cats and rabbits gets along like a house on fire, and some buns that take over the relationship as boss, too :-)

[Hand]

8. Thanks!

I'm a bunny slave of long standing, and right now have a wonderful little critter living with me who was dumped at the local SPCA--probably the classic "Easter Dump". For several months she lived in a little cage next to the dog room and never really had a quiet moment. She's quite content and spoiled rotten now...


"I just ate this chair! Ask me anything!!"

[crispini]

9. LOL, your photo

combined with the caption is quite Loungeworthy. :thumbsup:

[Book Lover]

14. Ha!

You should submit that photo to the HRS picture gallery :-)

[Megahurtz]

10. My bunny's name is Bunnydude.

Although Bunnydude may be a dudette.

I would post a pic if I knew how. (still learning!)
Got to get him/her fixed because they get frustrated.

Anyway, my bunny is a real sweetheart!:loveya:

[Book Lover]

15. Great name!

And sounds like a fun bun.

Some folks use http://imageshack.us/ to host images; you upload to there and they provide a link you put into your message. I'd love to see your bunny photos!