Stop the Easter Bunny Craze: Why Adopting Rabbits on a Whim Does More Harm Than Good

A Local Rescuer’s Urgent Warning Before the Holiday Rush

With Easter just around the corner, fluffy bunnies are popping up in pet stores and social media feeds—adorable, yes, but advocates warn this seasonal trend leads to heartbreaking consequences. One local rabbit rescuer is sounding the alarm, urging families to rethink impulsive Easter bunny adoptions.

The Hidden Reality Behind Holiday Bunny Sales

Every spring, thousands of rabbits are purchased as "surprise gifts" only to be abandoned weeks later when the novelty wears off. Unlike toys, rabbits require:

• Complex care: Specialized diets, spacious habitats, and vet visits
• Long-term commitment: They live 8-12 years—far beyond Easter
• Socialization needs: Many don’t enjoy being cuddled by young children

What You Can Do Instead

1. Educate first—visit shelters to learn about rabbit care before adopting
2. Support ethical rescues that screen adopters year-round
3. Choose chocolate bunnies or stuffed animals as Easter alternatives

"People see a cute face and don’t realize these are fragile, intelligent animals needing stable homes," says the rescuer, who’s rehabilitated over 200 abandoned rabbits.

What Do You Think?

• Should pet stores ban seasonal rabbit sales altogether?
• Is it hypocritical to criticize bunny adoptions but not other holiday pet trends?
• Would steeper fines for animal abandonment change behavior—or just punish impulse buyers?