Rancho Santa Margarita Families Learn To Care For Guinea Pigs, Bunnies

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — It's almost Easter, and perhaps you think a baby bunny is an excellent addition to your family. But do you know how to give a rabbit proper care? Or a guinea pig or any small mammal, for that matter? Enter the Mission Viejo Animal Services team, which serves families across Southern Orange County in Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Rancho Santa Margarita, and Trabuco Canyon.

On Saturday, they held their annual Critter Care 101 educational event to help families understand the care and proper treatment for small mammals.

"Attendees were able to see why small animals make fantastic pets and learn about small animal care," the City of Mission Viejo reported.

Two educational sessions included Guinea pig care, presented by the Southern California Guinea Pig Rescue and rabbit care presented by Bun Chia Burrow and Save SomeBunny Rabbit Rescue, Inc.

Small animals make fantastic pets, but they require much attention and the proper housing to ensure they don't get lost or escape into danger. Baby bunnies and young guinea pigs also require much care, specialized food, and cages.

If you are so inclined, consider adopting a rabbit over one years old, already spayed or neutered, and has been acclimated to children or other pets, depending on your home situation.

Various small pet vendors showed off their wares during the event, including Poppyseed Paws, Buttercup's Bunny Boutique, The Organic Bun Co., Paw Kreations, and Bunny Bunch Boutique. With Love, From Scratch sold delectable scratch-made treats.

Visitors to the event had an "opportunity drawing" for gift baskets. The baskets were donated by 2 Cute Piggies, Black Paw White Paw, Kaytee, The Pet Design Group, BinxBox, Haypigs.com, Oxbow Animal Health, The Well Kept Rabbit, Small Pet Select and Opie & Ollie, according to the city.

Did you adopt a small animal this weekend? Let us know!