With the first days of spring come happy things like warm weather, new flowers, baby birds — and Easter. But Easter isn't always a great time for animals.
Each year, thousands of rabbits, chicks and ducklings are purchased as whimsical gifts, only to be dumped a few weeks later when their owners realize they have live animals on their hands. The lucky ones end up at shelters — 80 percent of shelter rabbits are abandoned Easter gifts — but most of them are euthanized or die quick deaths after being "set free."
Bringing an animal into your family can be very rewarding, but it's not a decision to be taken lightly. Live animals should never be given as gifts, and most children can't take on the responsibility of caring for a living creature.
Here are 15 animals who understand that, and they're seriously judging you for thinking about buying them for Easter.
1. "So, you're thinking of buying an Easter rabbit?"
Flickr/Carly Lesser & Art Drauglis
2. "Have you really thought this through?"
3. "Will you still love me this much in 10 years?"
4. "Do you even know what we eat? Hint: It's not grass and carrots."
Facebook/Schopenhauer The Disapproving Rabbit
5. "You think I'm a good alternative? You don't think I'd be happier right here with my mom?"
6. "I might have been cheap at the pet store, but I'll cost you hundreds of dollars every year — especially if I get sick."
7. "And I'm not a toy. If you think I'll be happy being forced into costumes, think again."
8. "Will you still love me when I get bigger than you thought?"
Flickr/Carly Lesser & Art Drauglis
9. "And when I dig a hole in your couch?"
10. "Or eat your baseboards for lunch?"
11. "What about when my hormones kick in, and you have a full-grown chicken on your hands?"
12. "Will you spend hours each day taking care of me and playing with me — for the next 8 to 12 years?"
13. "Even if I'm chewing on your prized possessions — or your fingers?"
14. "What, this doesn't sound great to you? Then don't give a live animal as an Easter present."
Flickr/Carly Lesser & Art Drauglis
15. "Just don't."
Flickr/Carly Lesser & Art Drauglis
Rabbits are wonderful pets, but only for prepared, responsible, mature owners. They're not good with children, and can both injure children and be fatally injured by children. Chicks and ducklings might be cute, but they also need dedicated care and grow up quickly.
If you've done your research and are sure you want — and can care for — a new pet, then great! But wait until the weeks after Easter when the first waves of abandoned "presents" start coming in. You can also find lots of adoptable bunnies on Petfinder.
