Think twice before gifting a bunny this Easter, animal advocates urge 

While some kids will enjoy searching for treats from the Easter Bunny on Sunday morning, others may be receiving actual live rabbits as a holiday surprise.

And while not all animal welfare advocates are totally against giving pets as gifts, they are wary of bunny buyers who don't realize the commitment they are taking on and may release their rabbit into the wild in the coming months — a pattern that has resulted in invasive populations in several parts of B.C.

Kahlee Demers, the B.C. SPCA's manager of companion animal welfare and policy, said animals aren't always a bad gift idea, but they are never good as a surprise. 

"It is a big responsibility," she said, noting there's a lot to learn about rabbit care. 

Instead, she said, opt for the chocolate option this Easter. 

"I encourage parents and guardians to stick to the chocolate bunnies, the chocolate Easter eggs and the candy chicks, which I think are a great Easter alternative. Who doesn't like sugar?"

WATCH | Bunnies don't always make the best Easter gifts: 

Advocates in B.C. advise against getting a bunny for Easter

1 year ago

Duration 1:47

Rabbit advocates in B.C. are telling people to think twice before buying a bunny this Easter as colonies of abandoned bunnies take root around Vancouver. The problem has existed for years, but has become worse because many shelters are overrun.

Rabbits may seem like low-maintenance pets, but Demers said they require time out of their cages every day, lots of mental stimulation, and room to move around. 

"Rabbits are really smart, they're social and they like games," she said.

As for food, they need more than just carrots, Demers said; fresh leafy greens like kale and lettuce, as well as hay, high-fibre rabbit pellets and lots of water, are all part of a healthy rabbit diet. 

According to the B.C. SPCA, rabbits can live up to 15 years — something Demers said people don't often realize. 

Animal rights lawyer Victoria Shroff suggested anyone considering adopting a rabbit start by fostering one first, to see if they are able to properly care for a pet bunny. 

"Make sure you do your homework," Shroff said. "Rabbits are not just a pet for Easter."

Releasing pets into the wild

Huge invasive rabbit populations have taken over several areas in B.C., including Vancouver's Jericho Park and Rathtrevor Beach on Vancouver Island, after people started releasing their unwanted pets into the wild. 

Though they likely had good intentions — hoping the bunnies would live out their lives in the fresh air with lots of grass to nibble on — pet rabbits cause major problems for natural ecosystems, according to Invasive Species Council of B.C. executive director Gail Wallin. 

They carry disease, damage the environment and compete with native species, among other things. They also reproduce quickly and several times a year, with multiple babies in each litter — meaning one rabbit released in June could be responsible for a dozen more in mere months. 

If that's not enough to deter people from releasing pets into the wild, it's actually illegal to do so, Shroff said. 

The Invasive Species Council of B.C., along with other similar organizations in other provinces, have launched a campaign called Don't Let It Loose, asking pet owners not to release any domesticated pets into the wild. 

Instead, Demers said rabbit owners should do everything they can do rehome unwanted pet rabbits. 

"There are a lot of great owners out there who are willing to take on rabbits," she said. "When in doubt, you can reach out to your local B.C. SPCA and see what resources they have — we do have food banks, so if it's a food necessity that you need, we can help. But you can always chat with your local animal shelter or rescue to see what your surrender options are."