It’s Easter weekend and while we’ll admit they are awfully cute, getting a baby chick and or bunny for a pet isn’t the best idea. Humane Society of Louisiana director Jeff Dorson says shelters and veterinarians see an influx of rabbits and chicks after the holiday that are surrendered and in poor health.
“These are like novelty spontaneous gifts that the family really doesn’t factor in that you will have this pet for many years. It will require your time, your energy, and your money.” Play Food
In many cases, Dorson says state wildlife has to retrieve them because owners abandon them in the wild and they are unable to fend for themselves.
Dorson says whenever you give a child an animal and you expect them to care for it, he says it doesn’t end well because children forget to feed them…
“They’re ruff with the animals. We’ve had calls with rabbits and iguanas with broken limbs and chicks that are underweight because they’re not feeding them properly. So we’re begging your listeners, please reconsider.”
Instead of a live animal for Easter, Dorson says get a stuffed animal instead, it costs considerably less in the long run and it’s better for the chicks and bunnies.
“Go with stuffed animals, candies, or chocolate. You can not go wrong with that.”
In some areas, it’s illegal to sell them and for photographers to use them as props unless they are a licensed animal caregiver. Dorson says having live animals as props for a photo can endanger both the child and the animals.
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