Baby Animals Are Common Easter Pets
Baby animals (such as bunnies, lambs and baby chicks) are common Easter pets, and every Easter, people give or buy young rabbits and chicks as gifts. While the gesture may seem kind there are major consequences that people often over look.
Giving and receiving egg-themed or bunny-themed gifts is a part of the Easter tradition. Bunnies have been a spring symbol of fertility for centuries (due to their prolific reproduction rate), and eggs were a symbol of life in ancient pagan spring festivals. Overtime these pagan symbols were adopted by Christians, hence the Easter bunny and Easter eggs.
Many people seem to forget that owning a pet chicken and a pet bunny is a long-term commitment. After Easter, animal shelters across the country are overwhelmed with unwanted bunnies and chicks. Some of these animals are sick, and even abused by the time they arrive to the shelter. And many people just let their unwanted bunnies loose in the wild, which is dangerous for these domesticated animals.
So, this Easter, resist the impulse to buy a cute baby chick or bunny. Instead, stick to plush bunny or chick toys. If you or your children do receive a pet bunny or chick as an Easter present, please be sure to contact an animal shelter for further help and advice. However, if you plan on keeping the pets, give your decision a lot of thought.