Thursday, February 28, 2008
Easter Bunnies
I've posted a notice on my website stating that pet rabbit sales are suspended until after Easter. While I don't expect everyone to agree with me, I hope that everyone will at least take a moment to think about why I would do that and why I would encourage you to do that.
I feel that I have a responsibility to take really good care of my rabbits. My responsibility ends either with sending them to an ethical death, their own natural death, or the transfer of the responsibility to someone else.
To some people, that transfer can be to anyone who says they will take the responsibility. Whether or not they are capable of living up to the responsibility or committed to the responsibility doesn't enter into the equation.
But for me, transferring the care of my bunnies to someone else is something I must do responsibly. That is, I need to exercise due diligence to ensure that the new owner is
I also worry about the reasonable expectations. I believe that too many people who purchase Easter bunnies don't have expectations past the thrill on a child's face when they get their Easter treats. The emails I receive from people, wanting to know if I will take their pet rabbits that their kids no longer pay attention to, only serve to strengthen my belief.
I have sold pet rabbits during the Easter season before. But I talk at length with the family to make sure that they would be getting the rabbit anyway - that Easter was just the occasion they chose to add the rabbit to their family and not the reason for it.
To me, that's the difference in getting your child a present he has wanted for a very long time, but just choosing his birthday as the day to get it to make it more special versus getting your child something only because it is his birthday.
In the beginning of my rabbit career, I didn't look at things the way I do now. I sold rabbits cheaply to whoever would take them. But I've had too much insight into what happens when new owners aren't committed, prepared, informed, and reasonable about their expectations.
Now I do what is in my power to make sure that the rabbits I produce are well taken care of. I hope you will, too.
Yes, I would like to have a new bunny for Easter. But "Make Mine Chocolate."
Laurie ¶ 12:19 PM
I feel that I have a responsibility to take really good care of my rabbits. My responsibility ends either with sending them to an ethical death, their own natural death, or the transfer of the responsibility to someone else.
To some people, that transfer can be to anyone who says they will take the responsibility. Whether or not they are capable of living up to the responsibility or committed to the responsibility doesn't enter into the equation.
But for me, transferring the care of my bunnies to someone else is something I must do responsibly. That is, I need to exercise due diligence to ensure that the new owner is
- capable of caring for the rabbit,
- committed to the rabbit for its lifespan,
- has reasonable expectations for the rabbit, and
- has made reasonable preparations to receive the rabbit.
I also worry about the reasonable expectations. I believe that too many people who purchase Easter bunnies don't have expectations past the thrill on a child's face when they get their Easter treats. The emails I receive from people, wanting to know if I will take their pet rabbits that their kids no longer pay attention to, only serve to strengthen my belief.
I have sold pet rabbits during the Easter season before. But I talk at length with the family to make sure that they would be getting the rabbit anyway - that Easter was just the occasion they chose to add the rabbit to their family and not the reason for it.
To me, that's the difference in getting your child a present he has wanted for a very long time, but just choosing his birthday as the day to get it to make it more special versus getting your child something only because it is his birthday.
In the beginning of my rabbit career, I didn't look at things the way I do now. I sold rabbits cheaply to whoever would take them. But I've had too much insight into what happens when new owners aren't committed, prepared, informed, and reasonable about their expectations.
Now I do what is in my power to make sure that the rabbits I produce are well taken care of. I hope you will, too.
Yes, I would like to have a new bunny for Easter. But "Make Mine Chocolate."
Laurie ¶ 12:19 PM
