Please Avoid Giving Baby Rabbits and Chicks for Easter

The Houston SPCA advises against giving live animals, such as bunnies, chicks or ducklings, as Easter gifts.

While adorable, these baby animals are fragile and require specialized care. Rabbits can live up to 10 years. The annual cost of caring for a rabbit is about the same as a cat or dog and includes such expenses as an indoor bunny condo or pen, litter and a litter box, a carrier, spaying or neutering, veterinary care, and quality nutrition.

Live baby birds, such as chicks, ducklings, and goslings can carry harmful germs like Salmonella. And, many jurisdictions have ordinances prohibiting the keeping of animals like chickens, ducks and geese.

Instead, we suggest stuffed toys and chocolate rabbits for your child’s Easter basket. To help give orphaned, abused and neglected animals a second chance at life, make a donation , on behalf of your child, to the Houston SPCA.