Some Bunny Loves Me Collection
Rabbits are a popular companion animal, especially during the Spring and Easter holidays. Unfortunately, they are also the third most abandoned pet. Why? Because rabbits can be an ill-thought-through gift or spur-of-the-moment purchase. Shelters and rescues see a spike in abandoned rabbits a few months after Easter when the cute baby bunnies reach puberty (at five–eight months old) and begin to display unwelcome behavior, including chewing, aggression, fear, and spraying. Abandonment is thought to stem from the lack of education among the public about the high cost and care that rabbits require.
Rabbits are social and intelligent creatures that are not short-lived, low-maintenance, or cheap pets suitable as “starter” pets for children. They require quality vet care, close attention, and patience. Rabbits are social and active creatures that need lots of indoor space and stimulation to thrive. Domesticated rabbits can live longer than you might think. Most indoor domestic rabbits can live for ten years, so if you are looking for a bunny, consider how a rabbit will fit into your life for the next ten years.
What happens to rabbits abandoned in a neighborhood or left in a field or wooded area:
They become easy prey for predators.
Die from exposure.
Killed by cars.
Are infested with parasites, ticks, mites, fleas, and botflies.
Become diseased with RHDV2.
Starve because they cannot handle life outside the home.
The Western Massachusetts Rabbit Rescue (WMRR) established a Northampton, MA, shelter and foster program run entirely by volunteers to combat the rabbit abandonment crisis.
They aim to rescue abandoned domestic rabbits and provide safe and loving foster homes. Once adopted, WMRR provides education about rabbit care, including health and wellness, enrichment, caring for rabbits’ unique dietary needs, and the importance of spaying/neutering all domesticated rabbits.
WMRR provides vet care for each rabbit entering their care, including vaccination (for RHDV2), spaying, and neutering procedures.
For more information about WMRR and the rabbits they care for, visit https://www.westernmassrabbitrescue.org.
Proceeds from our Some Bunny Loves Me collection will be donated to the WMRR to help support their rescue efforts.
