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Redmond, WA February 28, 2006 - Twin sisters, Bonnie and Connie Andrews are on
a campaign to 'Prevent Hare Loss this Easter.' Connie Andrews
created a popular website for house rabbit owners,
www.hopperhome.com with its primary goal to discourage impulse
buying of live rabbits as gifts for children at Easter.
With her
sister, Bonnie, the twins have doubled their efforts to raise public
awareness every Easter. Both twins feel it's important to remind
parents that a plush stuffed toy bunny is a better choice for an
Easter Gift than a live bunny. The twins have informally rescued
domesticated rabbits to socialize for adoption and have also
volunteered their time with Basically Bunnies, a rabbit adoption
non-profit located north of Reno, Nevada and the Companion Rabbit
Society in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Bryon
Waite, a Nevada business owner modeled for the public
service campaign and the twins report he was a very good
sport. Waite posed
with rabbit models Miss Sage, a Netherland Dwarf, and Mr. Basil, a
dwarf Hotot breed. Both rabbits belong to Bonnie Andrews, who
adopted them from a shelter six years ago. Bonnie explained, 'At
first the rabbits demonstrated behavior typical of unaltered adult
rabbits. They were spraying urine, aggressive and the female, Sage,
would bite whenever a hand came near her. The two rabbits bonded
quickly to each other (rabbits bond for life) after neutering and
spaying. Neither rabbit has been aggressive for several years and
are very affectionate pets.'
According to her sister, Connie, 'The problem of discarded pets
after Easter can be prevented if people understand rabbits have
unique requirements and can live as long as a cat or dog up to 10
years. Unfortunately, these pets overburden animal shelters
nationwide within a few months after Easter. Most rabbits without
hope of adoption are destroyed. Also, many people will release
their pet rabbit into the wild thinking it can fend for itself.”
Andrews says, “This is especially cruel for domesticated rabbits
because they are helpless on their own and prey for everything
including owls, dogs, cats and coyotes.'
Both
twins agree that 'a rabbit isn’t a low maintenance or an inexpensive
pet to keep. Unless neutered or spayed between 4 to 6 months of age,
they can become aggressive, territorial and overwhelming for a
child. Adult rabbits may not enjoy being picked up which can be
frustrating for a child who wants to hug their pet. Also, fragile
rabbit backbones break easily. Children can have a hard time
getting a firm grip on a kicking rabbit and drop it. Stuffed toy
rabbits are a safer and more humane Easter gift.'
For more
information about rabbits as house pets hop to
www.hopperhome.com on the
internet.
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