Easter may be a time when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ but for animal shelters across the United States, it’s also a time of trepidation as they prepare for an influx of abandoned rabbits after impulse Easter bunny purchases go sour.
“Every year, rabbits are purchased on a whim for Easter and then often discarded as soon as the ‘cute factor’ takes a backseat to the reality of all that’s required to care for them properly,” Daphna Nachminovitch, PETA‘s senior vice president for cruelty investigation, said.
“Some are just dumped outside, where they can’t survive and will die from stress, starvation, dehydration, or attacks by predators, while others are abandoned at overburdened animal shelters or bounced around from one home to another, where their needs are often misunderstood — so they often end up being sentenced to solitary confinement in a cage and virtually forgotten.
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Fortunately, California has stepped up to head off these reckless animal purchases and banned the sale of commercially bred dogs, cats, and rabbits from pet stores. Should a California pet store carry any cat, dog, or rabbit, they should be from an animal shelter or rescue.
While the ban got signed into law in October 2017, it only went into effect in January 2019 to allow pet stores to prepare for the changes. People looking to buy bunnies as a festive purchase first need to be screened by an animal rescue or shelter or directly contact a breeder.
Per Reuters, rescues and shelters across the state are hoping the law will cut down the number of impulse rabbit purchases, especially among those individuals who have no idea how much effort it takes to properly care for a bunny.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) says that one needs to do their research on the needs of bunnies before buying them.
For instance, bunnies shouldn’t be penned inside a cage whole day just munching carrots. Rabbits need frequent socialization to be happy and an hour of exercise a day outside their cages. They also need a big space and a steady stream of fresh vegetables and other food.
According to Reuters, these pets also need “daily cleanings and specialized medical care.”
In short, bunnies aren’t Easter basket props to get on a whim.
Other states may take their cue from California and are working on similar laws. Various cities across the country have also come up with their own ordinances in this regard.
Replaced!