| With Easter only a fortnight away, animal charities | | | | natural ecosystem. Pet charities are therefore |
| and rescue groups in the United Kingdom are | | | | inundated with rescued, abandoned and unwanted |
| preparing themselves for what is frequently an | | | | rabbits each year in the weeks following Easter time. |
| annually busy period for abandoned animals - with | | | | With rabbits for sale in hundreds of pet shops across |
| one popular house pet in particular becoming the | | | | the country at very low prices, it seems it is all too |
| prime focus of their attention at this time of the | | | | tempting for parents to buy their kids the loveable |
| year. The rabbit is so often portrayed as the soft, | | | | creature that is the rabbit without prior though of |
| loveable and cute figure in children's films, TV | | | | the long-term care required in keeping the pets. |
| programmes, cartoons and written literature | | | | Dependent on the type of species, domestic Rabbits |
| associated with Easter time - and for these reasons | | | | can live from between eight and sixteen years, and |
| naturally becomes a popular gift for kids during Easter | | | | so therefore require a much more long term |
| celebrations. | | | | commitment than some more narrow minded parents |
| However, it seems that it is sadly also the case that | | | | appear to be willing to take. While Rabbits |
| pet rabbits are often becoming the victim of neglect | | | | undoubtedly make great pets and are real fun for |
| and abandonment in the weeks that follow - as | | | | kids to have around, as with any potential pet |
| families and children fail to appreciate the ongoing | | | | purchase it is essential that any prospective owners |
| needs and responsibilities of keeping the pets once | | | | are fully ready to commit to the needs of the animal |
| the initial charm and excitement associated with the | | | | for the duration of its life. |
| Easter Bunny wear away. Often being dumped in | | | | So if you see a rabbit for sale and are thinking that it |
| nearby fields or woods, these domesticated animals | | | | will make a great gift for the kids, please remember: |
| can have little chance of survival in the wild - and | | | | a rabbit is for life - not just for Easter. |
| those that do can breed rapidly, affecting the areas | | | | |