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Bringing Home the Easter Bunny
Should Your Child Have a Rabbit as a Pet?
By Donna Smith
Be Realistic
As with any pet, parents should assume they will be the primary caregivers. "Most children will lose interest in a pet after some time – particularly if housed outside in a cage," says Snopek. "That doesn't mean that they do not love the rabbit, or they shouldn't have it. But parents need to model responsible pet care and encourage the child to participate with them in the care of the pet."
"Many parents think that a rabbit is a good starter pet for a child – to teach him or her responsibility," says Janis Abel, a member of the Bunny Buddies executive committee. Bunny Buddies, based in Houston, Texas, is an organization working to educate people about rabbits. "Rabbits require constant DAILY care, and that care is usually too much for any child to handle on his or her own," she says. "Ideally, no child should have the ultimate responsibility for the life of a pet, but especially not a child under 12 or 14 years old."
"I consider the bunny MINE," says Stockton. "Daniel enjoys him, but I knew from the start that he was too young to take responsibility for a pet. I do make him help me feed him and clean the cage." She does not mind that Peanut has become her rabbit. "I love him," she says. "I think I enjoy him more than Daniel does."
Bunny Buddies encourages rabbit owners to keep their pet inside. "Many people who have kept their bunny outdoors are surprised when they bring them inside to discover that the bunny has a personality," says Helen Swann, president of Bunny Buddies. "It's not just a lump in a hutch! Rabbits are smart, entertaining, affectionate and lots of fun, but not if their only connection with a human is when they toss food into the hutch."
