You would think a holiday that is synonymous with rabbits would be a good thing for them. I mean, you can’t pay for that kind of PR. But unfortunately the holiday isn’t kind to our bunny friends.
Many pet rabbits find themselves in baskets on Easter morning. While a cute gift, most of the people (okay these are kids getting them as gifts) aren’t aware of the care they need or the time and financial commitment they require. They enjoy their new pet for a few months but after a time the rabbit starts getting neglected and someone decides they don’t want the rabbit anymore. Then the rabbits end up in shelters or rescues with all the other unwanted Easter bunnies hoping to get a new home.
Let’s stop this cycle. Instead of giving a rabbit for Easter, consider one of these Easter gift ideas.
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1.Webkinz Rabbit
– Instead of a real bunny, give a virtual one. Your child can have all the fun of playing with it and taking care of it without all the worry and poop.
2. Chocolate Easter Bunny
– Who wouldn’t love good chocolate in their Easter Basket? Each year Make Mine Chocolate starts their annual campaign to bring awareness to the care rabbits need and discourage giving them as Easter gifts by encouraging giving more appropriate Easter gifts like chocolate bunnies.
3. Bunny Slippers – Hippity hopping down the bunny trail can tire a pair of feet out. A fuzzy pair of bunny slippers is the perfect thing to help them recharge.
4. Bunny ZooPurr Animal HatTM – Who needs an Easter bonnet, when you can show your Easter spirit with a soft fuzzy bunny hat!
5. Lego 40086 Easter Bunny
– Every Easter basket needs some fun in it and what can be more fun than an Easter Lego kit.
Adding a pet is something that should be thought out and prepared for. If you would like to add a rabbit to your family, visit Rabbit.org to learn about the care they need and consider adopting from a shelter or rescue in your area.
My parents gave me a rabbit for Easter when I was five years old. It is one of my most cherished memories; however, I was taught from an early age that pets are a lifetime commitment and a serious responsibility. We had all sorts of animals and they always found their forever home with us. I agree that in many cases, a rabbit is an impulsive choice of gift and one that adds to shelter overpopulation.
My family was the same Lara! We got guinea pigs 1 year for Easter and loved them, but pets were a huge part of our life. So many people give rabbits without any idea of what they need as far as care goes.
Thank you for posting this! I dont think pets of any type should be given to kids as presents. I much rather agree with these as presents 🙂
I feel when it comes to kids any pets should be the family’s pet and not the responsibility of a child. While there are a few kids who might be nerdy enough to read everything on pets that the library has (could be me) most kids aren’t ready for that responsibility.
These are all great alternatives! Thanks for spreading the word that Bunnies aren’t gifts! People also gift ducklings and chicks. I had a teacher in high school who adopted the ducks one of his students was given because he was able to take care of them and provide space for them to thrive.
Thankfully chicks and ducks aren’t popular Easter gifts here. Glad someone was able to help the ducks in your area.
These are fantastic ideas- my son would go bonkers for the Lego rabbit, which can easily be put on a shelf and forgotten when he tires of it (unlike a real bunny.) Thanks for this great list!
I kind of like the Legos too, although the bunny hat is really tempting me!
Yay for chocolate and fuzzy stuffed bunnies! Lego bunny? OK, yay for that too! 🙂 I cringe when I hear of children who get bunnies for Easter. I’ve seen bunnies get neglected and relinquished. I wish breeders and stores that sell them would just not do it during Eastertime. 🙁
Great post, Dawn! I will definitely be sharing this with my FB followers!
These are great Ideas,thanks for Sharing them,xx Speedy and Rachel
These are all great alternatives to a live rabbit for Easter. I especially like the Lego Bunny! What a great idea. You can even get all of these! A child can build the Lego bunny, which can be “friends” with the Webkinz rabbit, and play with both bunnies while wearing her bunny hat and slippers, and munching on the chocolate bunny! How is that not better than a live rabbit!?
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Thank you for these ideas as alternatives to getting a child a live rabbit for Easter because too many end up at the shelter or just let go when their child gets tired of taking care of their bunny. Every animal is a lifetime commitment & you should do your homework about the animals needs before even considering any animal. Thank you for the link for those considering getting a live bunny & that adopting is better than buying because you are saving a life. All of your gift ideas are awesome!!
My 4 year old won’t ever be getting a real bunny for Easter….now the Lego bunny is awesome and we love Legos around here!!! I’d buy a Lego in a second, they don’t have to be kept alive nor caged! 🙂
Thank you so much for pointing out that there are so many awesome gifts you can give on Easier besides a rabbit.
Pets are such a huge commitment, and unfortunately many of us are pretty impulsive. It can end up being such a horrible decision in the long run when not thought through properly. And by the way I’m totally getting a chocolate bunny this year 🙂
Thanks Jen!
So true! Knowing what the commitment is before getting a pet is the best thing for everyone.