SWFL Group Warns Against Giving Bunnies As Easter Gifts

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA — Every year, like clockwork, the calls start coming into the Southwest Florida House Rabbit Rescue about four months after Easter.

Dozens of families — probably more — that purchased bunnies for the holiday and can no longer care for the animals reach out to the organization, which is based in Fort Myers and Naples, but has a statewide reach, said Lisa Walkup, the group’s vice president.

Kids lose interest in their new pets after about four weeks, she said. They stop cleaning the cages and feeding them. When this happens, the rabbit’s care often falls on the household’s busy adults.

“So, we really want these parents to know what they’re getting into,” she told Patch. “If they’re going to get a rabbit. It’s really for the adult. And for the health and safety of the rabbit and enjoyment of the family, they have to understand what’s involved.”

While rabbit rescue and fostering are a big piece of the nonprofit’s mission, education is just as important. And this time of year, so close to Easter, the organization wants to remind parents that bunnies and other animals don’t make good gifts.

“A lot of people think bunnies are a good starter pet for their children and this really couldn’t be further from the truth,” said Walkup. “First of all, they’re fragile and could get hurt if they’re dropped. We’ve seen all kinds of injuries from drops. They squirm. They have powerful feet that can kick and scratch…Sometimes they can bite. Many times, it’s not a bit meant to hurt someone, just a nibble because that’s what they do to themselves. It’s how they communicate with each other, and a lot of times children don’t understand it.”

While young rabbits are “cute, furry and just endearing,” as rabbits reach sexual maturity, “they can become messy, smelly and they can become aggressive,” she added.

That’s not to talk families out of bringing home a pet rabbit. They just need to do their homework first, Walkup said.

“They’re sensitive creatures. They’re very interactive and loving, but (families) need to have a proper understanding of the care and feeding of a domestic rabbit and it’s not easy,” she said. “But they’re pets that can be enjoyable if you know how to care for them.”

These days, Southwest Florida House Rabbit Rescue only rescues bunnies in dire situations. They’ve seen an influx of people giving up their rabbits in recent months, likely animals adopted during the COVID-19 shutdowns, Walk-up said. “Now that their lives are back to normal, everybody is getting rid of these animals.”

While the group isn’t taking surrenders right now, its volunteers will work with families who want to give up their pets.

“We try to talk them through the process. How to spay and neuter their bunny. We talk to them about diet, enrichment activities, and we educate them,” she said. “At that point, we encourage them to try to keep the rabbit. Once they are properly educated on how to have a wonderful relationship with a house rabbit, we do have people that do decide to keep their bunnies.”

Learn more about Southwest Florida Rabbit Rescue and find resources for caring for rabbits here.