Living hoppily ever after Easter

Enchanted with everything from the critter’s wiggly white whiskers to the cute cottontail, many families ponder the possibilities of getting Easter bunny of their very own. However, a bunny is not for everybody.

Beyond their irresistibly soft coats and big, sweet eyes, “This is pet, who needs daily care and attention,” Magic Happens Rabbit Rescue founder Wendy Lincoln says, “and has a lifespan of up to 10 years.” So, before impulsively hopping down the bunny trail, here are a few hare-raising questions to consider:

Are you ready for a rabbit? If you’re old enough to read this, you know all bunnies will grow into rabbits—anywhere from a two- to four-pound Netherland dwarf to 25-pound Flemish giants. If you don’t ultimately want to commit to having an adult rabbit for life, don’t buy a bunny. And, don’t forget: Between the bunny and rabbit stages comes adolescence—with complete nipping and other obnoxious, anti-social behaviors. The good news is that while a rabbits’ teenage phase occurs earlier than their young owners’, it also subsides faster, too.

Do your kids really want a live rabbit? Small animals and small children create many an endearing photo op. However, with the shrill sounds and sudden movements each species makes, they usually terrify each other when they share a habitat. To avoid disappointment and a pet relegated to the garage once the novelty has worn off, Lincoln suggests, “[Parents] find out why children wants this kind of pet,” Lincoln says. “They may have unrealistic expectations (such as owning a talking rabbit like Bugs Bunny, Roger Rabbit or the Cadbury bunny). And, who knows? The child may have really wanted a guinea pig” (which Magic Happens also rescues). In some cases, children are just as delighted with animatronics or the chocolate variety.

How will other pets in the household interact with a rabbit? To most dogs and cats, rabbits are prey—and rabbits know it. But, you can successfully integrate a bunny into household of predators with good advice and lot of patience.

Do you have space for a rabbit? Between the isolation and exposure to extreme weather conditions and predators, keeping a rabbit in a hutch outside is unconscionable. Even inside, tiny pet store cages are too small for comfort. Owners need to dedicate an available area for a fairly large cage, plus at least one room in that has been thoroughly rabbit-proofed.

Will this nighttime party animal disturb a roommate? Any plan to set up a rabbit’s environment in a child’s bedroom is destined to fail. Rabbits are most active at dawn and at dusk. Their favorite pastime is to binky (run around crazily), chew and shred—sometimes loudly—on wooden sticks, cardboard toys or even furniture. Without adequate exercise, the rabbit may be active all night.

Can you afford to care for a rabbit? The initial adoption fee for a rabbit may be small, but a rabbit’s care costs can add up. Some of the start-up items new rabbit owners typically purchase include:

Large cage or habitat

Water bowl or bottle

Litterboxes and litter

Chew toys

Timothy hay (or other grass hay)

Fresh vegetables, fruit and nuts

Timothy hay pellets

Treats and Toys

Veterinary Care

Are you willing to invest in veterinary care? Besides having their claws clipped regularly, rabbits should be spayed or neutered. The procedure stops the animals from multiplying; lessens spraying and aggressive behaviors; and, improves the chance of litterbox training. The cost of the surgery generally ranges from $75 to $250.

If they receive proper diet and exercise, rabbits are pretty healthy pets. However, they may require veterinary care for emergencies, overgrown teeth, mites, ear infections, parasites or other illness.

Do you have time for a rabbit? More than just grocery shopping enough to provide fresh fruits and vegetables every day, rabbits must have regular interaction with their owners to stay socialized and happy. They need to spend at least an hour out of their cage each day for play and exercise. A rabbit’s enclosure should be tidied up daily and cleaned and disinfected weekly. Daily maintenance is essential—even for rabbits who are litterbox trained. Their output is voluminous, and they will find a new space rather than use a dirty bathroom.

So, families may want to reconsider rabbit ownership if they are frequently gone for long hours of time due to travel, work or school schedules.

Who will care for the rabbit if the child loses interest? Kids may be enthusiastic about the new bunny for the first couple of weeks; then, many lose interest when taking care of the critter interferes with their activities. Ultimately, all rabbit responsibility rests with adults in the home.

If the rabbit ownership doesn’t work out, what will you do with the rabbit? Many Baton Rouge bunnies have escaped a fate as sauce piquante, snake snacks or simply being “set free” in the wilderness with no survival skills. In fact, nearly 400 unwanted rabbits have landed on their lucky feet at Magic Happens Rabbit Rescue. The non-profit offers exasperated rabbit owners a number of resources.

If you still want a rabbit, where should you go to find the right one for your family? Besides saving a life, adopting a rescued rabbit allows owners to select a spayed/neutered animal who has been examined by a vet. In addition, the foster provides a description of the rabbit’s personality based on observation.

And, potential owners can volunteer at bunny care days to interact with a variety of rabbits or foster a rabbit for a week to determine if he or she is a good fit for family.

“We may not have your ideal bunny right away,” Lincoln says, “but, we will work with you to find the right one.” With Magic Happens’ help, your Easter tale will most certainly have a hoppy ending.

For more information about everything rabbit, visit magichappensrescue.com.

For an interactive bun quiz, click here.

Click here for this week’s Creature Feature, which includes some of Magic Happens’ most adorable buns.

Click here for this week’s City Lynx.