Rabbits and Children

Are you thinking about getting a rabbit for your child?

Rabbits make wonderful family pets and children of all ages can participate in their care. However, rabbits are a 10 year commitment and no one should expect a child to maintain an interest in caring for a pet for 10 years. A rabbit requires daily care from a responsible adult. A child is very likely to get busy and not notice whether the bunny is eating well which could well end up being critical for the bunny. Rabbits do not like to be picked up and if mishandled are easily injured. Falls can kill them. No child under 8 years should attempt to pick up a rabbit. Rabbits do not like loud noises or sudden movements both very often traits of children. More info.

VRRA recommends that rabbits, just like cats and dogs, must be wanted by the adults in a family or, inevitably, when the children loose interest the rabbit ends up in the woods or a shelter.

Please read an article about Rabbits at Easter

Snowy's Story

Snowy is a big, white bunny shown here with his lady love, Misty. Snowy was owned by a very nice, well-meaning family who purchased him as a baby for their children. Snowy is very good natured and the children handled him a lot. At one point poor Snowy was dropped and injured his back. He also had very crooked teeth, so bad that one protruded from his mouth. When he was brought to the shelter (because the children were no longer interested) Snowy had a bald, red patch on the side of his face, protruding teeth and a strange hop. When these things were pointed out to the parents they were surprised and had not noticed. Snowy had never seen a vet. He had been kept outdoors in a small, wooden cage.

Snowy now has a happy home with Misty. His front teeth have been fixed, his eye infection has been cured (the tears caused the fur to burn off his face) and though his hop is still wobbly he now has room to run and play. He's very afraid of being handled and who can blame him.

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