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You've probably heard it before but here it is again: rabbits do not make good presents for Easter.

Thousands of rabbits — and chicks and ducklings — are given to children across the U.S. in celebration of Easter, according to the nonprofit 

. Many of those same pets are either released into the wild, abandoned or given to a shelter in the next few months or even days after the spring holiday, the group says, apparently due to people losing interest or not anticipating the effort it takes to care for the animals.

Pet rabbits usually live around 10 years and require a lot of exercise, space, and care to stay healthy and happy. That means if it's a present for a child, parents need to be involved in taking care of the pet. Gift givers should also consider that rabbits aren't as durable — and sometimes not as sociable — as your typical dog or cat. They are also easily frightened by quick movements and loud noises — so a conversation about being gentle and calm around the new pet will also be a must.

Rabbits can still make great pets, of course — they can be litter trained and are 

. So, the rule to follow is actually: A pet of any kind should not be an impulse buy.


There's similar rhetoric around the winter holiday season when puppies and kittens are adopted and gifted. The practice — which results in some 

 — can also cause an influx of pets to many humane societies. 

However, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' official position on pets as presents is that 

. In a survey the organization conducted, 86 percent of people who received animals as gifts kept them, and 96 percent said the fact that it was a gift either increased or had no effect on their attachment to their new companion. 

Their caveat: Be sure the person you're gifting to has the time and interest for caring for the pet.

Now, just because, here are some cute bunnies from Instagram. If it makes you want a rabbit even more, that's OK. Just keep in mind, they need a cage at least six times their adult size, 30 hours of exercise a week and shed three to four times a year.

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Sara Porter

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Like any pet, rabbits require preparation before being welcomed into a home, and dedication afterwards. Here's why you should not spontaneously buy one for your kids this year. Don't worry, we will follow the lecture with some cute bunnies.

This Easter it hares repeating: Pets are not impulse buys

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