Easter pets: Think twice before buying pets as Easter gifts

April 11, 7:28 PMBoston Pets ExaminerMia Carter

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Every Easter, many parents find it extremely tempting to give the gift of an adorable baby bunny, a fuzzy yellow chick or a baby duckling. And every spring, a few weeks after Easter, animal shelters inevitably see an increase in the number of rabbits, chickens and ducks that are surrendered to the animal shelter.

Overtaken by the novelty of giving a pet chick or bunny for Easter, many people forget about the long-term responsibility that's associated with caring for a rabbit, chicken or duck. And a decision to adopt a pet in haste can often lead to a bad situation where the animal is forced to endure substandard care, neglect or even abuse.

Should I Adopt a Bunny? A Chicken? Or Some Other Pet?

 Before adopting any pet, research is a must. Before adopting, animal lovers should consider some of the following issues:

• How long will the animal live? And where will you be in 5, 10, or 15 years down the road? Will you still be in a position to care for the pet?
• How much will it cost to feed the pet?
• How much will it cost for supplies to care for the animal?
• How much time will it take to care for the pet daily?
• Can you afford veterinary care? Even chickens and rabbits will require a trips to the veterinarian at some point in their lives.
• Do you have a safe place to house the pet? Chickens and ducks in particular are prone to attacks from predators like wolves and cats, so a predator-proof enclosure is a must.
• If you have children, is the pet age-appropriate? A small child can inadvertantly hurt a pet (and vice versa), especially if left unsupervised.

To learn more about the reality of caring for a baby chick, a baby duckling or an adorable, fuzzy bunny rabbit, check out this WBZ Radio interview conducted by WBZ Producer/Boston Pets Examiner Mia Carter with MSPCA Nevins Farm Barn Manager Melissa Ghareeb.

If, after doing your homework on adopting a rabbit, chicken, duck or other pet, consider saving a life by adopting a homeless pet. The MSPCA is just one of many non-profit animal welfare organizations in the Boston area that has rabbits, chickens, ducks and other animals available for adoption.

To learn more about the pets that the MSPCA has available for adoption, visit the MSPCA website.

(Michal Zacharzewski Photo)