With Easter right around the corner, some families see a pet rabbit as a cute and cuddly creature that would be an adorable addition to that Sunday morning Easter basket. However, Laura Tierney, local educator for Harvey’s House Rabbit Rescue and Sanctuary, warns that these living Easter presents often result in already-crowded rescue groups receiving more intakes in the months that follow.
“Here in the past two years, I have gotten connected with what’s going on in our current community and there have been several examples of persons that are uneducated about a pet rabbit and abandoning them when they get to be 4 or 5 months old,” Tierney said. “They’ll go out on a whim and tend to let them go when they reach that phase when they can get destructive, territorial and other unwanted behaviors.”
Tierney cautions that the biggest thing in this area is that a domestic rabbit cannot fend for itself and cannot just be let go and be set free.
“We’ve had them abandoned in the Countryside neighborhood, at Panther Creek Park, even and at the soap box derby site,” Tierney said. “It was very recently that Harvey’s House took a rabbit that was abandoned here in Daviess County.”
Harvey’s House strives to educate the community on the common misconceptions about rabbits. Many community members think they are an easy pet and don’t fully realize the care needed, dietary concerns, behavioral care or the commitment.
Tierney suggest those interested in a pet rabbit to do research before adding the pet to their home. She said not only should one consider the care a rabbit requires and the preparation a house will require, but also realize rabbits can live 10 or more years. Although not a low maintenance pet, Tierney said that rabbits can be a good pet for your family.
“They can be litter box trained, they do play with toys, they can be taught tricks. There are just things you need to watch for though to understand their behavior and how to take care of them,” Tierney said. “Each one is unique and individual, but they are a companion pet and love to be a part of your daily activity.”
Tierney said the closest specialist for rabbit is in Louisville although there are several vets in Owensboro that are very capable and cognizant of how to care for rabbits. Harvey’s House is also a part of the House Rabbits Society that promotes pet rabbits being an indoor pet rather than the outdoor pet commonly housed in a hutch.
Tierney will have a table set up with educational information at the Daviess Co. Animal Shelter’s Easter picture event on Saturday, April 13, at the Villa Point Tractor Supply from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m..
For more information or further research on house rabbits visit www.rabbit.org or www.harveyshouse.org
