5 reasons not to get your child a rabbit for Easter!

The News Journal has a great article out that talks a bit about our shelter. If you or someone you know is thinking about getting a rabbit for Easter, please read this article to see what's involved. Bunnies are great pets, but they're not low maintenance and aren't for everyone. Two things to keep in mind: we recommend paper-based litter instead of wood-based, and larger enclosures for the buns.

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/life/2014/03/17/5-reasons-not-to-get-your-child-a

The House Rabbit Society - Southeastern PA- Delaware Chapter

Who we are and what we do
Domestic rabbits are the 3rd most common animal found in shelters.
Several months after Easter, the "dump rate" increases dramatically as people discard their unwanted adolescent rabbits, usually because these individuals impulsively purchased a rabbit on the spur of the moment, or failed to educate themselves on rabbit care and behavior. Other rabbits are turned loose to fend for themselves, usually with fatal results, since domestic rabbits do not have the survival skills to live in the wild. In addition, many pet stores sell rabbits year round.
The House Rabbit Society is a national, nonprofit (501c) all volunteer organization, established in 1989, which works to:
take rabbits in from shelters when their time is up, so they wont be euthanized, and
Educate the public on what wonderful indoor companions rabbits can be.

The Southeaster PA- Delaware chapter of the House Rabbit Society is located in Newport, DE and works with SPCA, Humane Societies and animal shelters in Pennsylvania and Delaware. We offer adoptions of rescued, spayed/neutered and litter box trained rabbits, and pair bonding, and nail trimming.
We are a no-kill foster home and sanctuary, which means the rabbits may stay with us for as long as they need shelter.
Every effort is made to ensure the best match of a rabbits personality to the prospective adopters. Our adoption fee of $85 covers only the expenses for the spay/neuter surgery. We survive on donations!
Your help is welcome and needed. If you would like to help us as we care for abandoned rabbits, please contact us at 302-683-9009, or goodhareday @ gmail.com

Who should be the REAL Easter Bunny?

Who should be the REAL Easter Bunny? Let the courts figure it out.

"Scooter,, do you poop?"
"Yes I do, I eat a lot, so I poop a lot"

Rabbits and Easter

Are you thinking about buying a rabbit for Easter? If you are thinking of getting one from a breeder (even a person who is breeding "just once"), or from a pet store, please take a moment to consider adoption. You can purchase a rabbit pretty cheaply from a pet store or a breeder. The rabbit will be small and cute. But they will not be spayed or neutered. Please call around to get prices for that surgery before you think our adoption fee is too high. If you think you can skip the surgery, know that males will spray just like an un-neutered male cat will. There will be a lot of time and energy spent on cleaning your floors, walls and clothing. If you get a girl, and she turns out to be pregnant, are you able to suddenly have 8-10 rabbits to care for? Baby rabbits are small and cute. But they grow up very quickly. They will be full grown before the end of summer. Will the cage you purchase for them now still be big enough for them? Will your children still want to feed them, give them fresh water and hay every day, and interact with them? Rabbits live 8-10 years. How old will your child be when the rabbit is old, and needs extra attention? Will they be more into dating, or sports? Maybe going off to college? Are you willing to take full responsibility for the rabbit? Rabbits are not the best pets for small children. They do not want to be held or cuddled. Is your child old enough to understand that they need to allow the rabbit to be a rabbit? That they could hurt the rabbit by picking them up, or petting them too aggressively? Are you OK with the thought of some property destruction? Even with a well "bunny-proofed" home, the new bunny may pee on the carpet, or chew some furniture and baseboards. This is especially true if they are young and un-neutered. If you have read all of this, and still want to buy from a pet store, please give us a call, or send an email. Stop by the shelter to see how many bunnies are waiting for a home. They are all there because someone had thought it was a good idea to get a rabbit- didn't get them spayed or neutered, and then decided they no longer wanted to be responsible for the bunny. Rabbits are amazing pets. The joy and love received from them is amazing. But they are not low-maintenance pets. And we want to be sure that anyone considering a rabbit knows what they are getting into before they have made that 8-10 year commitment.