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Home › Articles › Pets › Bringing Home the Easter Bunny

Bringing Home the Easter Bunny

Should Your Child Have a Rabbit as a Pet?

By Donna Smith

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bunnies 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 Basics
Many people keep their pet locked up in a hutch in their backyard. Once the excitement ovr the new pet wears off, this can make for a lonely, and sometimes abused, animal.


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