Dear Cathy,
I read your column about rabbits and whether families should buy them for Easter. There are many rabbits languishing at the Animal Care Centers in New York City (ACCNYC). It would be so much better to adopt than to buy. They have a whole room full of rabbits that people can go and look and hold and bond with them. There are bonded pairs of rabbits to adopt, and all animals are microchipped, vaccinated, and spayed or neutered before adoption.
– Reisner, New York
Dear Reisner,
I did advocate for readers to adopt from rabbit rescue groups and animal shelters but am happy to give another plug to adoption versus buying. Sadly, many baby bunnies are bought and then taken to rescue groups a year later when people lose interest in them. If someone is willing to adopt an older rabbit, it’s probably because they really want one. Adopting a bonded pair gives rabbits a friend, which makes them happier in their homes.
As you point out, rescue groups and animal shelters vaccinate, microchip, and spay and neuter rabbits as part of the adoption package. Rabbits reach maturity between six- to nine-months-old, depending on breed. If not fixed, they can become aggressive and will reproduce when kept in male/female pairings. Females can get pregnant within minutes of giving birth, and their gestation period is only 28 to 31 days.
Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, children’s author, syndicated pet columnist, and pet expert with more than 30 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to moc.tidnuptep@yhtac. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal