Unfortunately, most bunnies that come to Sweet Binks were former “Easter bunnies”, or “gifts” to children and end up in one of our local shelters or abandoned outside or forgotten in a hutch. Folks see the cute little young bunny for sale around Easter at pet stores or fairs in the summer by breeders, and buy the bunny on impulse without first learning about them, their care, or their requirements, or not taking into consideration that a bunny is a long term commitment just like a cat or dog. Many pet shops and others who sell bunnies are not even knowledgeable at all about rabbits! Later, when that cute little bunny reaches sexual maturity, and folks do not know to spay/neuter or are unwilling to spend $200+ to spay/neuter, the rabbit is taken to a shelter or worse, set free. Many end up outside in a hutch just living a sad and forgotten life, and most are looking for a new home by “back to school” time. Most domestic rabbits don’t make it past their first year with a family before being discarded, because a good decision wasn’t made beforehand about a bunny as a “child’s” pet. Parents need to understand that the rabbit will be their responsibilty (not the kids) for the next 8 to 10 years.
Some people just turn the bunny loose, thinking that the bunny will fend for itself. This does not happen, the bunny will either fall to a predator, starve, or find some other untimely demise. It is the most inhumane thing to do, and also illegal. Domestic rabbits do not have the survival skills of their undomesticated cousins and do not last long in the “wild”.
Just the fact that you are reading this now shows that you are taking the time to educate yourself, and are on your way to becoming a good companion to your future bunny, or making an educated decision about whether a bunny is a good companion for your household.