Why you should NEVER gift live or real bunnies as an Easter gift

It is a common practice in many countries to give in to “Easter bunny” temptation. People often buy real rabbits to gift each other as a sign of good luck, especially for children. However, little do they know is that similar to having a dog or cat, bunny requires a vast amount of care. Underestimating the commitment one requires to pet a rabbit, days later Easter or whenever the “bunny fever” subsides, bunnies are often discarded, abandoned or die due to ill-treatment.

The popular belief of gifting real bunny began for a long time as a symbol of new life. According to the legend, an Easter bunny is believed to lay, decorate and hide eggs as a sign of new life. This is absolutely fictional and holds no ground in real-life.

It is the post-Easter time when animal shelters deal with most bunny cases as these vulnerable animals are usually dumped on the streets, under the bridges or even in dustbins. According to Peta org, almost ten thousand cases of abandoned rabbits appears to animal shelters in countries like the UK and the US.

One must not decide in haste, Easter is all about celebrating a single day in a year whereas having a rabbit is a much bigger commitment. A rabbit requires a frequent visit to vet, grooming, diet plan and intense care . If you are just looking for a gift, consider buying bunny-shaped chocolates or stuffed animals for your children.

However, if you’re ready to take up the journey of bringing up a real bunny, make sure you have enough time, patience, love and money to commit to real life. Instead of purchasing one from the pet shop, try adopting a bunny from any animal shelter or rescue organisation near you.

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