The boyfriends and girlfriends also were in the store buying rabbits as Easter gifts. Kayne said several rabbits are brought in for medical treatment five or six months after Easter every year. She said spending a little money up front can prevent more money and grief later. They can also learn how to properly take care of the rabbit for the rest of its life. She said people do not realize rabbits have a broad range of physical needs requiring appropriate accommodation and care.
Rabbits can make good pets if people are willing to take on the responsibility.
However, rabbits require a lot of attention and cleaning. Janet Englind, manager of the Humane Society of Southern Illinois, said the society gets two to three rabbits a week for several months after Easter every year. Englind said that last year, the society had an increase of rabbits turning up dead as owners released them. She said the ones found alive were malnourished, underweight and had no shine to their coats. She said when parents buy rabbits for their children, they assume the children are going to be responsible pet owners, and that usually is not the case.