Bunnies are being abandoned; don’t be the one to do it!
By Harry Zhang '28 - Oak Hill
I shiver as winter is coming, and all I have is a rag in a wet box. I was only given a lettuce leaf, and it’s shrinking with every passing day, as I starve. All I can do now is hope that this seemingly endless nightmare comes to an end.
During the Easter season, American families are overtaken by the idea of being a bunny owner. However, according to the website, Pet Keen, 80 percent of the bunnies purchased during the holiday season die, or are abandoned after the first year. This lack of nourishment is caused by the misinformation around the level of commitment these pets require.
Many people believe that bunnies are “starter” pets, meaning that they think that bunnies are low maintenance, easy to take care of, and perfect for young children to have as their first pet. However, some of the main reasons why bunnies are so frequently abandoned is that, in reality, they are hard to take care of compared to dogs or cats.
According to Petfinder.com, “Although they don’t need to be walked like dogs, rabbits are anything but low-maintenance. Their quarters need daily cleaning, and fresh food and water must be offered daily, including a salad of well-washed, dark-green leafy vegetables. Certain rabbit health problems can become chronic and can require regular (and sometimes expensive) veterinary treatment. To complicate the picture, veterinarians skilled in rabbit medicine are often hard to find.”
Most people falsely think bunnies are cage bound animals that are short lived. Bunnies can live up to 10 years, increasing the commitment needed in order to have them as a pet. Additionally, experts from House Bunny Society advise against giving active and rambunctious kids, under the age of seven, a pet bunny because bunnies are prey animals, and noisy environments could put them in shock.
Because of the necessities for correctly taking care of pet bunnies, the process of giving away bunnies as a bunny owner itself is also a challenge. Any small flaw can cause the animal to develop negative health issues.
"I only give to friends and other people I know are responsible enough to take care of a bunny. I have to look at every small detail about someone to see if they are suitable. If people have cats and dogs it's not a good idea to let them raise bunnies, since their cat or dog might find them as tasty snacks," said Cai.
The commitment required for caring for bunnies is commonly misunderstood, especially involving their relationship with kids and their diets. Though, being a bunny owner is not simple, and is surrounded by misinformation, educating yourself on how to take care of bunnies can help you and your pet have the best life possible.
During the Easter season, American families are overtaken by the idea of being a bunny owner. However, according to the website, Pet Keen, 80 percent of the bunnies purchased during the holiday season die, or are abandoned after the first year. This lack of nourishment is caused by the misinformation around the level of commitment these pets require.
Many people believe that bunnies are “starter” pets, meaning that they think that bunnies are low maintenance, easy to take care of, and perfect for young children to have as their first pet. However, some of the main reasons why bunnies are so frequently abandoned is that, in reality, they are hard to take care of compared to dogs or cats.
According to Petfinder.com, “Although they don’t need to be walked like dogs, rabbits are anything but low-maintenance. Their quarters need daily cleaning, and fresh food and water must be offered daily, including a salad of well-washed, dark-green leafy vegetables. Certain rabbit health problems can become chronic and can require regular (and sometimes expensive) veterinary treatment. To complicate the picture, veterinarians skilled in rabbit medicine are often hard to find.”
Most people falsely think bunnies are cage bound animals that are short lived. Bunnies can live up to 10 years, increasing the commitment needed in order to have them as a pet. Additionally, experts from House Bunny Society advise against giving active and rambunctious kids, under the age of seven, a pet bunny because bunnies are prey animals, and noisy environments could put them in shock.
Because of the necessities for correctly taking care of pet bunnies, the process of giving away bunnies as a bunny owner itself is also a challenge. Any small flaw can cause the animal to develop negative health issues.
"I only give to friends and other people I know are responsible enough to take care of a bunny. I have to look at every small detail about someone to see if they are suitable. If people have cats and dogs it's not a good idea to let them raise bunnies, since their cat or dog might find them as tasty snacks," said Cai.
The commitment required for caring for bunnies is commonly misunderstood, especially involving their relationship with kids and their diets. Though, being a bunny owner is not simple, and is surrounded by misinformation, educating yourself on how to take care of bunnies can help you and your pet have the best life possible.
Harry Zhang is participant of the First to the Frontpage Summer of 2022 program.