Letter to the Editor, Posted: 3/9/05
To the editor:
Rabbits are a common symbol of Easter and while they may seem like a great gift idea, the Humane Society for Companion Animals (HSCA) along with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) urges consumers to consider alternatives to live animals as presents.
Despite their cuddly appearance, rabbits are fragile creatures who require special care.
Rabbits require significant time socializing with people in order to bond with and enjoy being handled by people.
Some alternatives to live rabbits include: plush rabbits make a great gift or chocolate bunnies
Plush rabbits are maintenance-free, they wonít end up in an animal shelter with other unwanted Easter pets. And, chocolate is always a winner. Rabbits are the third most common animal relinquished to shelters in the United States.
If youíve carefully researched the special care a rabbit needs and youíre sure that your family is ready to bring a rabbit home, adopt from a local shelter after Easter passes. Unfortunately, many domestic rabbits are often released into the wild and die of starvation, exposure to the elements or are preyed upon by other animals.
On any given day, the Humane Society for Companion Animals (HSCA) may have up to 400 animals available for adoption between the St. Paul and Woodbury, Minn., shelters. Animals range from dogs and cats, including many purebreds, to guinea pigs and rabbits.
The Humane Society for Companion Animals (HSCA) is the oldest sheltered animal protection agency in Minnesota and has been committed to helping homeless animals since 1878, making 2003 the organizationís 125th anniversary. HSCA cares for nearly 9,000 animals each year between its Saint Paul and Woodbury shelters. HSCA works toward its mission of Improving Animal Lives - Fostering Human-Animal Bonds in all of its programs and services including: shelter adoptions, humane education, lost and found, Companion Animal Assisted Therapy, volunteer programs and humane investigations
Deb Balzer
Public Relations Manager
Humane Society for
Companion Animals
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