Bunnies As Easter Gifts Discouraged By Metro Atlanta Shelters

METRO ATLANTA, GA — While baskets of bunnies are adorable, and often are in high demand around Easter time, animal rescue groups in metro Atlanta are advising families to think hard and be ready to keep that pet for its lifetime.

"Whenever you’re welcoming a new family member into your home, be it a new dog, cat, or bunny, you should always look at the responsibilities that will come along with that new animal and the needs they’ll have," said Christina Hill, associate vice president of marketing and communications at Atlanta Humane Society.

"Animals are a multi-year relationship, and when adding a new family member, you’re committing to that animal you’ll be there to love and care for them throughout their life," Hill told Patch.

Atlanta Humane offers pet parents resources, such as affordable veterinary care and free pet food through its community partner organizations when they hit hard times in their lives, so they can ensure that caring for their pet is always possible.

LifeLine Animal Project Digital Marketing Coordinator Ashley Bo told Patch that generally speaking, the organization always encourages people to adopt from a shelter instead of buying a pet.

"While we don't necessarily see an influx of bunnies surrendered to the shelter around or shortly after Easter, our DeKalb County shelter has reported a larger intake of lost/stray bunnies since the beginning of this year," Bo told Patch. "If a family is wanting to bring home a new pet and understands the care involved with adopting a rabbit, then it’s a great idea to adopt them any time of year and support bunnies in need."

Related: Rabbits Given As Easter Gifts Often Suffer From Neglect: Expert

Gary McConville of Roswell, a Georgia bunny enthusiast active with a rescue organization for rabbits based in Kennesaw, said that getting a rabbit for Easter often doesn't go well for the animal.

"The worst thing that can happen is (the rabbit) becomes neglected and lonely," McConville told Patch. "It becomes a back-seat animal."

A more responsible way to adopt a bunny is through the House Rabbit Society, a California-based nonprofit that rescues rabbits and educates the public. According to the organization's website, HRS has rescued more than 40,000 rabbits since its founding in 1988. It has 19 local chapters, including one in Georgia that maintains a 4,000-square-foot shelter in Kennesaw and offers supplies, boarding and education.

Potential rabbit parents who want to adopt from HRS have to be vetted first, McConville says. They also have to take a course in rabbit care — dubbed "Bunny 101" — and pledge to return the rabbit to their organization if things don't work out.

In McConville's case, things worked out well when he caught the bunny bug and gave two rabbits to his wife about 20 years ago. Instead of leading to neglect, the gift rabbits inspired McConville to attend rabbit shows and learn more. Eventually he started rescuing rabbits and helped spearhead the founding of the HRS Georgia chapter.

His advice is to be prepared if you adopt a rabbit.

"It's your choice," McConville told Patch, "but it's an adult responsibility."

Visit the Georgia House Rabbit Association's website for more information.