By Judy Dronzek, pictured above with a rescued rabbit
Can any aunt, uncle, Mom, Dad or grandparent resist the imploring eyes of a young child fawning over a bunny rabbit in the pet store window? Each year in the weeks before Easter, tens of thousands of well-meaning parents and doting grandparents unwittingly contribute to untold pain and suffering for thousands of rabbits. This LTE is intended to raise awareness about this, and hopefully avert some of this suffering for rabbits — and also by extension, kittens and puppies.
The truth is, we don’t want to know and will look past the facts about where these puppies and kittens are coming from. We know they are being ‘manufactured’ in high-volume breeding factories producing untold thousands of animals – with no particular concern over the well-being of the animals or their mothers. After being stored and transported in frequently horrifying circumstances, many of these little animals get sick with no hope of any veterinary care and die.
As the song goes — “How much is that doggie (or rabbit) in the window?” Depends who answers that question. The price is very high indeed for the animals. So please – for the sake of these little animals – when you are out and about with your little ones, try to steer clear of pet stores in the malls — because too many are intent on just exploiting that yearly pre-Easter buildup.
OK, where can I get my rabbits, kittens and puppy dogs? Do your research and find responsible retailers and breeders for your pure-bred puppies, kittens and kits (baby rabbits). They are out there for you to discover. This initiative will free up retail space for adoptable mixed-breed rescue animals, which we all know generally are wonderful, intelligent, loving and grateful pets. This model is working in several states, as the stores make a good profit on the shelf items.
Rabbits are treated poorly because many retailers only sell them before Easter, and the employees lack the experience, knowledge or motivation towards leading to proper care. Over 90% of these bunnies purchased before Easter never make it to their first birthday; most of them will die in the first three months when the families get bored of them.
Shelters which accept rabbits are few and far between. There are none in Putnam or Westchester County, NY. accepts them. Rabbits which are ‘set free’, quickly either die of exposure, starvation or predation by raptors, feral cats or foxes.
Rabbits make great pets – but it is imperative for the parents to do the research first. For example, is anyone in your family allergic to grass (hay), which makes up 80% of their diet. Purchasers must consider that the ‘inexpensive’ rabbit will need a lot of pricey accessories and will incur veterinarian bills. And should you buy two rabbits so that the one won’t be “lonely”, consider the possibility of many little rabbits resulting when your rabbits reach maturity. Getting a pet is a commitment for the whole family, and there are alternatives such as adopting from an animal rescue or shelter.
Fostering or adopting instead of shopping would be the best way to see if a pet animal is compatible with your lifestyle, and will save lives and reduce tax dollars spent on euthanizing unwanted pets. Thanks… and enjoy your Easter with a stuffed or chocolate rabbit instead!
New York based rescuers, sanctuaries, non-profits, educational and wildlife rehabilitation centers in New York, with experience providing care to rescued and surrendered rabbits, urge support for S.1130/A.4283, the Puppy Mill Pipeline Bill, in Albany.
