Easter has almost become synonymous with rabbits, and every year around this time bunnies are being gifted or bought on impulse. However, more often than not, the rabbits are purchased or gifted without first understanding the animal’s welfare needs. Once the complexity and effort to care for rabbits becomes too arduous, the easiest option is to abandon them.  

 Here are just some of the reasons why rabbits are not an appropriate Easter gift.

1.    Rabbits can live a long time.

People often under estimate the average lifespan of a rabbit. In fact, with proper care, rabbits can actually live for about 10 to 12 years, similar to some breeds of large dogs.

2.    Rabbits are not “starter pets” and have complex needs.

Although rabbits can make for delightful companions, they are not so easy to care for. They are built for speed and have light weight skeletons which are fragile. They are often classed to be exotic pets, which require specialized small animal veterinarians who have studied Lapine medicine. This can result in expensive veterinary fees, and sometimes a lack of availability of suitable vets in your area. In Hong Kong, there are dedicated veterinarians who can treat rabbits, but it is also important to know where they are located, their opening hours, and to consider your transport availability in the case of any emergencies.  If you do have a rabbit that requires medical attention it can be fatal to wait so it’s important to have the ability to seek advice at any hour of the day.  

3.    Rabbits are prey animals.

Unlike your domesticated cat or dog which are seen to be predatory animals, rabbits are considered prey animals, and naturally have a timid and shy nature. Like all animals a rabbit’s natural instincts guide their behaviour so when they kick, bite or scratch they are probably not play-fighting and most likely trying to tell you they feel threatened or scared. Most rabbits don’t enjoy being picked up, as the act of grabbing them is similar to being attacked by a predator. A child’s enthusiasm and mishandling can often cause unnecessary stress for rabbits and result in a rabbit acting violently as a way to protect themselves which is why it’s especially important to teach young children to be gentler with a rabbit than they might be with other larger and stronger pets, and to not reprimand a rabbit for using its instincts to protect itself.

4.    Rabbits have no voice of their own.

Dogs and cats have the ability to notify their owner that something may not be right through the use of their bark or meow. However, rabbits do not have this vocal capacity. Rabbits are highly delicate and it is only through constant interaction and attention that a rabbit owner is able to understand their everyday characteristics, so as to know when something is not right with their pet.  Because rabbits are prey animals they don’t show when they are hurt or sick as this would make them more vulnerable to predators in the wild. This can make it difficult for owners to recognise when a rabbit is suffering and needs medical attention and it’s often only when the problem is very bad that an owner might notice. If your rabbit is ever not eating, drinking or passing food normally it’s important to see a vet immediately.

5.    Rabbits are social animals.

In the wild, rabbits have complex social structures and this has been carried into their domesticated breeds as well. Research has revealed that rabbits should be kept in compatible pairs as almost half the number of rabbits kept as pets in the United Kingdom experienced loneliness. Recently, the British Veterinary Association called upon the United Kingdom Government to prevent pet shops from selling single rabbits after it was found that 42% of rabbits were sold alone. Anyone thinking of taking on more than one rabbit still should seek expert veterinary guidance before doing so, to ensure that the match is successful in order to prioritise their health and welfare needs. Not all rabbits make suitable partners and matching the wrong pair can sometimes lead to violence and fatalities.

6.    Rabbit need space

Rabbits are highly active and used to covering vast distances at high speeds in the wild. Domesticated rabbits also have extremely strong hind legs and need space to run, jump and explore so they can maintain a healthy body and mind.  A healthy rabbit in a suitable environment will provide hours of entertainment for its owners by showing its personality and exercising itself with sprints and bouncing, whereas a rabbit that is left in a hutch or cage for most of its life will be miserable and may develop devastating medical conditions. 

7.    Rabbits will be abandoned

The sad reality is that people tend to abandon rabbits once the responsibility and care for these animals wears thin. Anywhere between one to four months after Easter, organisations such as the Hong Kong Rabbit Society and the SPCA are inundated with rabbits that owners no longer want. It is important to remember that rabbits (and all domesticated animals) are highly dependent on their owners to love, care and tend to their welfare needs for the entirety of their lives.

If cared for properly rabbits can make wonderful companions and members of your family. They’re quiet, sweet natured, clever, tidy, playful and sometimes even love to cuddle. If you have been considering adopting a rabbit and have properly prepared for it we recommend you wait until after Easter to see if you can provide relief for one of the many abandoned rabbits.

This Easter, please don’t gift a pet rabbit or adopt without careful consideration of whether you can provide them with the proper care for the next 10 years or so. Instead choose a chocolate Easter bunny to enjoy.