The ASPCA and The House Rabbit Society Declare February Adopt-a-Rescued-Rabbit Month

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Monday, 2 February 2004

This year's theme: "Warm your heart, warm your home, adopt a rescued rabbit."

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has joined The House Rabbit Society in declaring February "Adopt-A-Rescued-Rabbit Month" and is urging Americans to "Warm your heart, warm your home, and adopt a rescued rabbit!" Rabbits are currently the third most common animals abandoned at shelters and in need of loving homes.

"These small mammals make excellent pets for the right people. Rabbits are intelligent, social animals capable of forming lifelong bonds with their human companions. Whether housed in a small city apartment or a spacious country home, the quiet well-mannered house rabbit will be a welcome addition," says Julie Morris, ASPCA Senior Vice President, National Shelter Outreach. "Rabbits are capable of being litter-box trained, and their playful antics will warm your heart for years to come." A well cared for house rabbit has a lifespan of 7 to 10+ years.

When considering adding a rabbit to the family, The House Rabbit Society advises potential adopters to consider the following common myths about rabbits:

Myth 1: Rabbits are great, low-maintenance pets:
Reality: Although they don't need to be walked like dogs, rabbits are anything but low-maintenance. Their quarters need daily leaning, and fresh food and water must be offered daily, including a salad of well-washed, dark-green leafy vegetables. Certain rabbit health problems can become chronic and can require regular (and sometimes expensive) veterinary treatment. To complicate the picture, veterinarians skilled in rabbit medicine are often hard to find.

Myth 2: Rabbits only live a year or two, so no long commitment is necessary:
Reality: Well cared-for indoor rabbits can live 7-10 years, and some live into their teens. This is approximately the same life span as some breeds of dogs, and requires the same long-term commitment.

Myth 3: Rabbits do not need veterinary care the way dogs and cats do:
Reality: Although rabbits in the USA do not require annual vaccinations, nevertheless, regular veterinary checkups help to detect small problems before they become big ones. Companion rabbits should be spayed/neutered by veterinarians experienced in rabbit surgery. This not only reduces hormone-driven behaviors such as lunging, mounting, spraying, and boxing, but also protects females from the risk of uterine cancer, the incidence of which can exceed 50% as rabbits grow older.

Myth 4: Rabbits are happiest outdoors in a backyard hutch:
Reality: Rabbits kept outdoors in hutches are often forgotten and neglected once the novelty wears off. Far too frequently, they are relegated to a life of "solitary confinement" and are subject to extremes of weather, as well as to diseases spread by fleas, ticks, flies, and mosquitoes all of which can adversely affect their health and their life span. They can die of heart attacks from the very approach of a predator - even if the rabbit is not attacked or bitten. Rabbits are gregarious creatures who enjoy social contact with their human care-takers. The easiest way to provide social stimulation for a companion rabbit is to house him indoors, as a member of the family.

Myth 5: Rabbits are rather dirty and have a strong odor:
Reality: Rabbits are immaculately clean, and, once they have matured and are spayed/neutered, they go to great lengths not to soil their living quarters. They will readily use a litter box and if the box is leaned or changed daily, there is no offensive odor.

Myth 6: Rabbits love to be picked up and cuddled and do not scratch or bite:
Reality: Although some rabbits tolerate handling quite well, many do not like to be picked up and carried. If rabbits are mishandled they will learn to nip to protect themselves. If they feel insecure when carried they may scratch to get down. Unspayed/unneutered rabbits often exhibit territorial behavior such as "boxing" or nipping when their territory is "invaded" by the owner.

Myth 7: Rabbits, especially dwarf breeds, do not require much living space:
Reality: Rabbits have powerful hind legs designed for running and jumping. They need living space that will permit them ample freedom of movement even when they are confined. Dwarf rabbits tend to be more active and energetic than some larger breeds, and require relatively more space.

These myths are from a House Rabbit Society publication, which is available at: www.rabbitcare.org/articles.html

If you decide a rabbit is the right addition to your household, make adoption your first option by visiting www.petfinder.com. To learn more about the needs of these warm-hearted creatures, visit the ASPCA homepage or www.rabbit.org for a host of bunny facts regarding proper nutrition, veterinary care, spaying and neutering, grooming and play.

For more information, or to contact American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, see their website at: www.aspca.org