Thank you for the information! I wish pet stores and feed stores would stop selling rabbits and chicks at Easter! Rabbits are hard to take care of. My brother had them for his 4-H project in Junior High. The aren't all snuggly and they can scatch. They required a special diet and special care. They aren't a dog or cat that you can play and snuggle with. Yes they are cute, but you have to be prepared for a special pet. They don't deserve to go to shelters because someone can't properly care for them, so make sure a rabbit is right for your family!

I agree that it is imprudent to present a live rabbit as an Easter gift, but I think the blog above is making too much of a big whoop about rabbit care. I keep purebred rabbits as a hobby, and I occassionally breed them for sale (only to qualified individuals), and they are not as difficult to keep as the blog suggests. Rabbits do not have to live indoors, and they really don't require anymore of a "specialized" diet than a bag of rabbit feed at the pet store or dandylions in the backyard. I would have to say that the only major inconvenience to having a rabbit is catching them after I've let them out to play. One final thing: not to belittle the service that animal shelters provide, but--ever consider eating the unwanted rabbits at the pound?

I have never had a bunny as a pet, but everyone is entitled to their opionion as to the requirements and needs of bunnies as pets. However, Rachel, you lost my respect for your opinion when you asked the question - "ever consider eating the unwanted rabbits at the pound?" One thing is for sure - you would never have heard that thought from Melody - who is a true animal lover!!! I tell ya - just when you think you have heard it all .......

Donna--
I don't know you, or Melody...and it is safe to say that you do not know me either, and therefore you don't know what I have done in the service of animals.
But seriously-what is so wrong or grotesque about eating rabbits that have been at the pound for a prolonged period of time? There is nothing wrong with using the rabbits' meat for foodbanks or homeless shelters. I am serious! If no one wants these rabbits as companion animals, might as well make some good of them and spare the animals a life of boredom in a shelter.

Donna--
I don't know you, or Melody...and it is safe to say that you do not know me either, and therefore you don't know what I have done in the service of animals.
But seriously-what is so wrong or grotesque about eating rabbits that have been at the pound for a prolonged period of time? There is nothing wrong with using the rabbits' meat for foodbanks or homeless shelters. I am serious! If no one wants these rabbits as companion animals, might as well make some good of them and spare the animals a life of boredom in a shelter.

You are correct, Rachel, I dont know you or what you have done in the service of animals! And I only know Melody from the many blogs that she has written here - but I know her to be an animal lover with a kind heart and soul! I guess your statment just really blew me away - I would never think of eating a companion animal!! I am a volunteer and foster mom for a dog rescue org in the Houston area and I was just taken back by your statement. Then again, I guess if the little souls have to be euthanized at some point for whatever reason (except possible health issues), utilizing the meat in a positive way for people in need would not necessarily be a bad thing.

Ok, probably not all rabbits are difficult to care for. I just found out my sister-in-law purchased a baby bunny from a feed store (UGH!) and she said he is a total "snuggle bunny", but it could have been totally different (he was an impulse buy, which I don't agree with), and he could have been on his way back to the store or the shelter. (Which of course isn't fair to the bunny!) The ones my brother had weren't "snuggle bunnies" and they did have to have a special diet. That was our experience, but I loved them anyways. And as far as eating the ones from the shelter, I would have NEVER thought of that! We certainly didn't eat my brother's rabbits and I certainly wouldn't & couldn't eat a companion rabbit. If it came down to it, I don't think I would be opposed to utilizing the meat in a positive way, for people in need instead of just euthanizing them and that's it...as long as they weren't automatically killed for that purpose. It wasn't their fault that people didn't make sure they were the right pet before buying them. They should have a chance to find a new loving home before they are put down, just like any animal in those unfortunate circumstances. I have to admit, that statement is a shocker when you read it, especially because it's so blunt. (And thanks Donna for the nice words.)

Sorry gals-I should have been more clear. Certainly companion rabbits should not be eaten. I do not intend to eat any of my own, and if someone else has a rabbit for the purpose of companionship, no one should eat theirs, either! But like Melody said, the rabbits that have been at the shelter for a prolonged time should be put to use; but this certainly should not be a factory situation, and efforts should be made to decrease the 'sheltered' rabbit population by neutering all non-breeder bucks (I really advise against spaying does, and all small animals for that matter). Sorry, I will be more clear in the future!
PS- I got my favorite rabbit from a feed store, and he is the best rabbit ever!! =)