Real life Easter bunnies

By: Lexi Kortman | Writer

April 11, 2019

With Easter right around the corner, excitement is high, and many are stocking up on jellybeans, marshmallow Peeps, and chocolate bunnies. However, while most everybody has good intentions for their Easter gifts and celebrations, a common Easter gift is not as innocent as many think.

Every Easter, some people go past the typical candy and give a rabbit as a gift. Although this is no doubt a generous gift, it’s also extremely misguided. People fail to look into the long-term care and responsibility that rabbit ownership demands; rabbits are a 10-year commitment, requiring attention, lots of space, a specialized diet – the list goes on. Moreover, rabbits are usually given to kids, who unfortunately may lose interest in their new furry friend after a short time, resulting in these rabbits being put into already-crowded shelters or being released into the wild – an environment in which they can’t survive.

“A lot of people act like rabbits are just toys,” said environmental and physics teacher Mr. Kerr. “They require serious attention, care, and affection.”

Most SCHS students are familiar with Mr. Kerr’s rabbits, Puck and Sara. Being an experienced rabbit owner, Mr. Kerr knows how demanding rabbit ownership can be and, on top of stressing the importance of not giving rabbits as gifts, emphasizes that people view rabbits in a negative light and undermine their importance as pets. Mr. Kerr wants to change the stigma surrounding bunnies.

“People act like rabbits are somehow less than cats and dogs,” he continued. “Rabbits have just as much personality, and require just as much care.”

So this Easter, enjoy time with friends and family and, rather than get someone a live bunny, consider getting a candy or stuffed one. Or, if you must get a live bunny, talk with the recipient (and their parents, if they are a child), and make sure that they are prepared for the 10-year commitment that it entails.

To get involved with the community and help out local rabbit organizations, consider donating or fostering rabbits through Save SomeBunny Rabbit Rescue (http://www.savesomebunny.org/aboutus.html) and the House Rabbit Society (https://www.sandiegorabbits.org/).