The Easter season can be a time of bad decision making, including wolfing down a family pack of marshmallow Peeps for breakfast. They’re FAR better dissolved in a splash of vodka.
But a worse temptation is to present a live bunny or duckling or chick as a gift.
Don’t do it. Stick with the Peeps, or a pink hyacinth, or a copy of The Velveteen Rabbit.
Why? Bunnies are the third-most common animal dumped at shelters, even before the last of the jellybeans and Cadburys are gone. Why? Because bunnies are not toys.
Giving a bunny to someone who knows nothing about lagomorphs, just because it’s Easter, is a little like giving someone a live reindeer at Christmas. There could be complications.
We recently caught up with Cat Logsdon, founder of Zooh Corner Rabbit Rescue, who loves bunnies and explains the reasons you shouldn’t use them as gifts.
Logsdon says, “I have done rescue all my life. My first rescue was a duck that my father and I rescued when I was five years old. We named him Sammy, and I taught him to swim in my little blow-up pool before releasing him. I have done horse rescue as well, and wildlife. I started Zooh Corner after rescuing two bunnies, including one that was pregnant, and discovered how little is known about proper rabbit care. I kept the babies, educated myself — and started the rescue.”
“We generally only take in elderly and special needs rabbits, and because we are now a sanctuary, they have a home for life with us,” said Logsdon. “Because most of the rabbits are very high care — often requiring treatment, manual bladder voiding, physical therapy, etc., several times throughout the day — and the vet care is exorbitantly expensive, we are more limited in how many rabbits we can care for. We generally have about 40 rabbits in our care, distributed throughout our foster Sanctuary Homes. It is very difficult to find volunteers who are willing and able to put in the time it takes to be a Zooh Corner Sanctuary Family.”
We asked if Zooh Corner needs volunteers to give bunnies care and love. Logsdon responds, “This is not something that works for us. We do not have a facility. The Sanctuary Homes are volunteers’ residences, each 100 percent responsible for the care of their Sanctuary Rabbits.”
“Zooh Corner Rabbit Rescue oversees and covers the cost of all medical / veterinary care, as well as supplies as needed,” says Logsdon. “Sanctuary Families cover the costs of feeding, and some generously help cover medical costs.”
Logsdon recommends, “Anyone, adult or child, who wants a rabbit as a pet should put in at least a little volunteer time at a local rescue. We constantly stress that children should not be the main caretakers. It is up to the adults to do this and supervise any child / rabbit interaction.”
“Local rescues are always in need of volunteers and donations, and most are willing to educate families and have them spend time with actual bunnies,” says Logsdon. “In the Pasadena area, I would suggest contacting the BunnyLuv Rabbit Resource Center. They have a facility in North Hollywood.”
And here’s the real-real as described by Cat Logsdon:
MOST COMMON MISTAKE PEOPLE MAKE WITH BUNNIES
There is actually a pretty layered answer to this, but the simple and all-encompassing answer is that people assume that rabbits are easy to care for and that they make good “starter” pets for themselves or, worse, for children. People assume for some reason that they know how to house and care for rabbits properly, and that generally means in cages or hutches and outside. None of these assumptions could be farther from the reality of what having a rabbit as a family member entails.
Rabbits are very social and require attention from their humans, and in the best of situations, they need a spayed or neutered rabbit friend of their own. Why? Because, like humans (and horses), rabbits are herd animals. They are happiest and healthiest when they have bunny friend(s).
It is important to note that rabbits can and should be spayed or neutered by a rabbit-savvy exotics vet. This prevents reproductive-related cancers, as well as makes it super easy to teach them to use a litter box. It is also super important when introducing bunnies who don’t know each other that BOTH rabbits are fixed because rabbits can also be very territorial. An introduction and bonding process is also required. This is just one of the many reasons it is best to adopt your rabbits from a local rabbit rescue. They will already be spayed or neutered; you can adopt a pair outright, or they can bond rabbits for you!
SHOULD RABBITS LIVE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE?
Rabbits should live inside your home, where they are a cherished part of the daily family routine and be safe from predators and untenable weather conditions. Rabbits do not do well in heat (shade alone doesn’t count), and they can easily become ill with heat stroke and die a painful death in temperatures over 78 degrees F. Additionally, many illnesses can be contracted while living outside, including myxomatosis (there is no U.S. vaccine for this) and RHVD2 — rabbit hemorrhagic viral disease type 2 — (there is a U.S. vaccine for this). People who live in areas where RHDV2 is endemic need to make sure their bunnies are vaccinated every year, even if they live inside your home. Your rabbit-savvy vet can help you with this and more.
Another important reason to have them live inside is that, as part of your family’s daily routine, you will learn their habits and ways. When they are not acting normally, you will notice quickly and be able to get them to your rabbit vet ASAP. Sadly, outdoor bunny illness frequently goes unnoticed until it is too late. Remember, rabbits are prey animals. This means they naturally mask illness/weakness until they cannot because, in the wild, the weak are easy prey.
Rabbits are super social, cute, and entertaining! Why leave them outside and miss out on watching their zoomies and binkies (a little bunny dance) and plopping down next to you for a cuddle session?
SHOULD RABBITS LIVE IN CAGES?
NO! Cages are confining, and the wire flooring is not safe or comfortable for those fuzzy feet and toes. Instead, invest in a dog exercise pen (X-pen) where they can stay at night or when you’re not home, and let them out to run around your bunny-proofed home when you are there to observe their antics. Bunnies require A LOT of exercise time. Many people even have free-roam bunnies!
Again, no to cages. Cages are cruel. Period. Rabbits are built to move. Just look at those large haunches! They like to play and investigate. Zoomies, binkies, running through tunnels, hopping on their own little houses and ramps and castles, playing with toys — foraging — are all fun and important bunny activities, and they are fun to watch as well!
ARE BUNNIES GOOD PETS FOR CHILDREN–OR FOR PEOPLE WHO DON’T WANT AN ANIMAL THAT REQUIRES SPECIFIC CARE?
The general consensus is NO, not really. However, the real answer depends on the adults who are responsible for the care of the bunny and the education of the child. This may sound obvious but trust me when I tell you it is not. Way too many adults seem to think that because bunnies are cute and fuzzy, they just must be great pets for kids. And because they are relatively small, they must be super easy to care for. So, without taking the time to investigate what having a bunny entails, they get one for the kid (or themselves), and when the bunny doesn’t live up to their uneducated expectations, the bunny gets dumped, or injured and dumped. NOT FAIR. But it happens all too often. Lack of education and responsibility perpetuates lack of education responsibility.
But that’s not the only answer to this question. There are many families – and that includes kids of all ages – who are great bunny owners! It’s a simple matter of taking the responsibility to educate yourself, know what bunnies require, and decide whether you are willing and able to do that, and then supervise children and teach them as well.
For example, rabbits’ skeletons are fragile, and they can easily be injured if not handled properly. Additionally, most rabbits do not like being held and will struggle when picked up, especially if they are not properly supported. This means bunnies can get injured, and kids can get scratched. Teaching children ground rules (not picking up the bunny) and supervising them solves this problem. Education and responsible pet guardianship are key.
All of this is why Easter is such a horror show for rabbits (and chicks). Way too many people buy rabbits for kids’ Easter baskets without bothering to educate themselves as to their needs, and when it doesn’t work out–the bunny gets sick, needs too much attention, behaves like a bunny, needs to be cared for and cleaned and has needs of its own, or the kids get bored – the bunny is dumped at the local shelter, or worse, turned loose “in the wild,” where they will suffer from starvation, predation or disease, and die.
DO BUNNIES GET SICK? A FEW WORDS ON BUNNIES AND VET CARE
First, it is important to note that not all veterinarians are trained to treat rabbits. For this reason, it is important to be prepared. Rabbits are considered exotic pets in the veterinary world. With a little research – Google and some phone calls – you should be able to find an experienced rabbit vet in your area. Check with local rabbit rescues for referrals, call local exotic vets and ask if they have a vet who is experienced with rabbits. And do it at the outset – before you have a sick bunny on your hands and are in a panicked rush to find help.
Also, keep in mind that rabbits are prey animals, as I mentioned earlier, and they naturally mask illness. By the time you are seeing symptoms of something not being quite right, they have already been feeling ill for a while. If your rabbit:
- Doesn’t eat for more than four hours, call your vet.
- Is not pooping normally, call your vet.
- Seems to be having a hard time eating, call your vet.
- Is lethargic, drooling, too quiet, seems dizzy, or is not moving normally, call your vet.
You cannot wait until the next day when a rabbit presents with symptoms. You need to get to a vet ASAP.
RABBITS AND OTHER PETS IN THE HOME
Many people wonder if you can have rabbits in a home where there are other pets, most commonly dogs and cats. The answer is yes, but with the caveat that it depends on the nature of the other pets, your ability to assess them well, and your willingness to take the time to introduce rabbits to a multi-pet household safely. This is another occasion when adopting from a good rabbit rescue is helpful. You will have access to experienced volunteers who can help you suss-out the situation and decide if it will work.
Logsdon adds, “We are always looking for donations. Of some goods, but mostly funding. And I am currently looking for someone to go pick up hay for us a couple of times a month, bring it back to the house and get it bagged up. We only do about four bales at a time, but it can be time-consuming a couple of times a month.”
You can reach Cat Logsdon at [email protected].
This column is dedicated to the loving memory of Shadow. RIP, bunny dearest.
