Buying Rabbits As Gifts
Buying a rabbit as a gift can be either a great idea or a horrible idea. It really depends on the situation.
Here's a situation when it's a great idea. Your child (or a child you are close to like a grandchild, niece or nephew) has wanted a rabbit for at least a few months. He or she is mature enough to have a pet like a rabbit. If he doesn't live in your household, he has permission from his parents. The family is committed to caring for the rabbit for the 7 to 12 years he may live. This is a great situation. Go for it.
Here's a situation when it's a horrible idea. You see a cute bunny at the mall and purchase him for someone as an "I was thinking of you" gift. Or, you think that having a bunny poking his furry face out of the top of a Christmas stocking would be absolutely charming. Or, you think it's time your child learned some responsibility. Or, perhaps your child just lost a pet and you want to replace him right away.
It's never a good idea to give a rabbit as a gift to anyone who has not expressed a clear desire to have one. Not only should the receiver have indicated a desire for the rabbit, he or she should also have clearly indicated that they are interested in all of the care that owning a rabbit includes.
When the focus is on the moment of giving rather than the rest of the rabbit's life, a red flag should be waving in your brain. Stop, don't do it.
My dad loves Old English Sheepdogs. He's loved them for years, but when we kids decided to go together and get him one for Christmas, we had to find out for sure if he really wanted to take care of one. The answer was no. Although he loves the thought of having one, he's not really interested in all that actually having one means.
You may have noticed the "Make Mine Chocolate" campaign last Easter, which discourages people from giving rabbits as gifts at Easter. The gist is that Easter rabbits are exciting on Easter and for a few days after, but beyond that, too many end up neglected, abandoned, or relocated. The same idea applies to Christmas.
The only time that giving a rabbit as a pet for a birthday, Christmas, or Easter is when you planned to get one anyway and just chose a special time of the year to do it.
Laurie Stroupe
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
Here's a situation when it's a great idea. Your child (or a child you are close to like a grandchild, niece or nephew) has wanted a rabbit for at least a few months. He or she is mature enough to have a pet like a rabbit. If he doesn't live in your household, he has permission from his parents. The family is committed to caring for the rabbit for the 7 to 12 years he may live. This is a great situation. Go for it.
Here's a situation when it's a horrible idea. You see a cute bunny at the mall and purchase him for someone as an "I was thinking of you" gift. Or, you think that having a bunny poking his furry face out of the top of a Christmas stocking would be absolutely charming. Or, you think it's time your child learned some responsibility. Or, perhaps your child just lost a pet and you want to replace him right away.
It's never a good idea to give a rabbit as a gift to anyone who has not expressed a clear desire to have one. Not only should the receiver have indicated a desire for the rabbit, he or she should also have clearly indicated that they are interested in all of the care that owning a rabbit includes.
When the focus is on the moment of giving rather than the rest of the rabbit's life, a red flag should be waving in your brain. Stop, don't do it.
My dad loves Old English Sheepdogs. He's loved them for years, but when we kids decided to go together and get him one for Christmas, we had to find out for sure if he really wanted to take care of one. The answer was no. Although he loves the thought of having one, he's not really interested in all that actually having one means.
You may have noticed the "Make Mine Chocolate" campaign last Easter, which discourages people from giving rabbits as gifts at Easter. The gist is that Easter rabbits are exciting on Easter and for a few days after, but beyond that, too many end up neglected, abandoned, or relocated. The same idea applies to Christmas.
The only time that giving a rabbit as a pet for a birthday, Christmas, or Easter is when you planned to get one anyway and just chose a special time of the year to do it.
Laurie Stroupe
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
posted by Laurie Stroupe at 10:22 AM
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