Easter

[veronicasmom]

Yesterday our local paper printed a letter to the Editor that I wrote asking people to reconsider buying ducklings, chicks and rabbits as Easter pets. If anyone on here can do the same for their local area, that would be great.
I also added that MANY animals of all types are available at animal shelters, and if you do insist on getting one of these animals as an Easter gift, please do a lot of research BEFOREHAND. It may impact your decision as these animals as not all as cute and cuddly as many people think.

Thanks.

 

[Going Quackers]

A good idea, around here it's not so common, most ducks/chickens are ordered in, you cannot buy them at pet shops etc.

 

[veronicasmom]

Oh, that's good that the ducks and chicks cannot be an impulse buy. But rabbits are also bought. A few months after Easter, animal shelters are FULL of throw away rabbits. They are not so cute, they don't like to be held, they smell, they run away when you try to pick them up, they scratch, um, let's see what other reasons people have for dumping them. Oh yeah, the one that is used the most, allergies. That is not to even touch the subject of how many rabbit just die due to poor care or are let loose to fend for themselves.

Sorry, jumped on the soapbox again. But having two rabbits that were found in a garbage bag in a trash dumpster makes me a bit sensitive. This was not directed to you GQ, just my normal ranting.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Oh, that's good that the ducks and chicks cannot be an impulse buy. But rabbits are also bought. A few months after Easter, animal shelters are FULL of throw away rabbits. They are not so cute, they don't like to be held, they smell, they run away when you try to pick them up, they scratch, um, let's see what other reasons people have for dumping them. Oh yeah, the one that is used the most, allergies. That is not to even touch the subject of how many rabbit just die due to poor care or are let loose to fend for themselves.

Sorry, jumped on the soapbox again. But having two rabbits that were found in a garbage bag in a trash dumpster makes me a bit sensitive. This was not directed to you GQ, just my normal ranting.

I understand completely veronicasmom, I wrote a similar letter to the editor of our small town newspaper. Lets hope they help.

 

[NCBantam22]

In my area there isn't really a problem with "throw-away" Easter pets because the feed stores ask to see if you have a proper setup for them. Alot of people still buy ducklings and chicks around Easter but they keep them well into adulthood. Another thing that has helped is feed stores have quit selling dyed chicks and duckling for a couple years now. Also the backyard farming movement has helped in urban areas because people want to raise their own food.

 

[veronicasmom]

NCBantam22- I hope you are correct. But, sadly, I think while the things you mention may have curbed the "throw-away" mentality somewhat, it is never truly gone. Even if you start with a great set up, once some people realize that there is A LOT of mess, and some noise that comes with ducks and chickens, they are not always so much fun any more. Or the kids lose interest once the novelty wears off. I am heavily involved with rescue and have rescue horses, rabbits, ducks, guinea pigs, dogs, cats, a chinchilla, and occasionally foster rats, and they never stop coming.

Many times with ducks, people will just release them to fend for themselves. Chickens are forgotten and left in the yard and a predator gets them, rabbits are spending days in their hutches with no feed, clean water or attention, until they die of a medical issue or an issue with a predator (a rabbit can die just from fear of a predator reaching into it's hutch). It happens all over. I think it is naive to think it does not happen in your area. I wish you were right, but unfortunately, people are people and really ignorant sometimes. And the animals suffer. It is just so disgusting to me.

Sorry, jumped back on that soapbox again. But this is such an issue in this country, the disposable mind-set.

 

[Miss Lydia]

In my area there isn't really a problem with "throw-away" Easter pets because the feed stores ask to see if you have a proper setup for them. Alot of people still buy ducklings and chicks around Easter but they keep them well into adulthood. Another thing that has helped is feed stores have quit selling dyed chicks and duckling for a couple years now. Also the backyard farming movement has helped in urban areas because people want to raise their own food.

That's great news NCBantam22.