Animal Tales | Treat Easter-time animals, like Marley the rabbit, with care
As Easter approaches, many breeders of bunnies, chicks and ducks will be pushing these cute little babies in front of you, making you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside in hopes that you’ll buy them for your children. Please consider the lives of these animals before you make that purchase.
If you really feel the need to invite a creature into your family, adoption would be a much better method. Currently, there are more than 4,500 rabbits looking for homes through rescues on Petfinder.com, but before you check that, please research what bringing a rabbit into your home would be like.
A lot of people think rabbits will be happy in a hutch outside in the backyard, but this is not the case. In the heat of summer, especially without added air movement, the bunny will more than likely have a heat stroke. Without a heat source in the winter, he would likely die from the cold. There are bugs and predators to be concerned with, as well.
Rabbits would prefer to be out running and playing, just like a dog or cat, not locked in a hutch 24/7. In the house, they can be litter-box trained, but oftentimes, it takes patience. They do shed; they do chew on wood frames, electrical cords or anything that can be reached.
Compared with dogs and cats, rabbits have fragile bones and can snap their spinal cords if not held properly or if they’re dropped. Their nails have to be trimmed; their ears have to be cleaned; their teeth must be checked for proper growth and oftentimes need vet intervention for medical issues. When rabbits are not comfortable being held or dislike something, they will nip; for children, this can be a traumatic experience and one requiring a band aid. If they’re cared for properly, rabbits should live to be at least 10 years old.
All of this is not to say that rabbits wouldn’t make great companions, but they certainly aren’t for everyone.
Marley is a dwarf bunny that was purchased for a teen as an Easter gift, but within the year, Marley was no longer wanted. He had been living in a hutch in the garage, and the teen was preparing to go to college, which would leave the care of the bunny to the parents.
We took Marley in at the S.C. Coastal Animal Rescue and Educational Sanctuary, or SC-CARES, in Georgetown in 2009, and what a love he has become. In our bunny room, the rabbits live in hutches, and we alternate days that they’re out running around the room.
Out of our five rabbits, all are male except for one, and although all have been neutered, they have issues with each other. To keep everyone safe, they take turns being out. It’s not the perfect life for a bunny but currently the best we can do.
Our rabbits are fed pellet food, timothy hay and get fresh water each day. Tuesday is treat day here at SC-CARES, and the rabbits really look forward to their parsley and carrots. Marley is probably the most social of our bunny family.
When you’re down at his level, on the floor, he’ll come to your hand and push his head under your fingers so that you’ll rub his face. To thank you for the petting, Marley will lick your hand, and let me say bunny kisses are so sweet! Marley is currently 7 years old, so we hope we have several more years of his love and kisses! Come visit Marley and the other creatures at SC-CARES (501c3). If you’d like to help us by donating, we’re at 236 Abbeville Drive, Georgetown, S.C. 29440.
This story was originally published March 31, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Animal Tales | Treat Easter-time animals, like Marley the rabbit, with care."