'Buy chocolate bunnies this easter, not real ones,' plead experts
Think long and hard before adopting a rabbit this week.
That’s the message from northern Ontario animal groups who fear on weeks like this, when we’re just days away from Easter, people may try to adopt bunnies without doing their proper research.
<photo>
The real concern is what will happen to the animals afterward. Experts told CTV News people should be prepared before taking on this commitment.
“Bunnies are not rodents, they’re lagomorphs, so they’re actually exotic pets so they’re not like dogs or cats,” said Enara Iturregui, of the Sudbury Bunny Rescue Room.
“Although their personality is very similar to both dogs and cats but it means that they’re maybe not as easy to re-home because they require a little bit more care.”
In moving back to Sudbury, Iturregui helped found the rescue seeing a need in the city.
The foster-based group has between 13 and 18 currently in their care.
While many of us can relate to being a ‘cat person’ or a ‘dog person,’ she said a ‘bunny person’ is someone who has read up on the extra care involved.
“They’re really amazing pets but there is a lot more on the owner’s part that has to be done because they are prey animals,” said Iturregui.
“Unlike a dog or a cat that’s a predator that’s relatively trusting of people, bunny people have to work at gaining their bunny’s trust.”
Iturregui and her team know there’s a dumping situation in the city. They know of a few dumping grounds where people have had to dispose of rabbits.
In a perfect world, she’s said, she is hopeful they could find homes for all their rabbits but added if you’re going to adopt, make sure it’s not just an Easter thing.
“It would also include those people who do adopt, making the commitment, looking up our organization, asking us questions because we are here to promote bunnies, we think they’re great pets,” said Iturregui
“We just don’t want people to be buying them on a whim.”
It is a sentiment shared by other groups, including Pet Save, which said while rabbits make great pets, you have to do your research.
“We still have bunnies that we’ve had up for adoption for the last year or two so they’re very hard to find homes for so we encourage people to try the chocolate bunny for the children and maybe steer clear of the actual bunnies,” said Pet Save director Jill Pessot.
Pet Save has made donations to the Rescue Room to help them with their efforts.
Since its creation last year, Iturregui figures they’ve been able to find 35 bunnies good homes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Federal government bans watercraft from Manitoba lake popular with tourists
The threat of zebra mussels has prompted the federal government to temporarily ban watercraft from a Manitoba lake popular with tourists.
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.