On the eve of Easter Sunday, the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services reminded pet owners of the dangers of holiday decorations, including candy baskets, chocolates and toys that can be harmful to members at family fur.
LAAS offered the following advice:
- The Easter basket. Pets often see this festive decoration as something to eat or play with. Colored eggs, plastic grass, chocolate and candy can be toxic to pets if eaten. To keep pets safe, place baskets full of treats out of reach. If you plan to go egg hunting with children, keep pets indoors and away from plastic eggs.
- Be careful with festive flowers and plants. Easter lilies are one of the most dangerous plants for pets, especially cats. Call your veterinarian immediately if you see your cat licking the flower.
- Keep people’s alcohol and food away from pets. Dogs, cats and small pets can suffer very serious and sometimes fatal consequences from eating too many fatty foods, yeast dough, chocolate, grapes, raisins and simply overeating. Instead of giving your pet leftovers, stop by a pet store and buy a special treat, made just for him.
- Don’t buy animals as impulsive holiday gifts. Although bunnies and chicks are cute, they shouldn’t be given as Easter gifts. Rabbits and chicks require special feeding and care, and their needs should be carefully considered before bringing one home. Before adopting a rabbit, check out the department’s rabbit care resource guide at laanimalservices.com/all-about-rabbits.
This last message is also highlighted every year by pet rabbit rescue groups, who see an increase in the number of abandoned pets after Easter as the news wears off and families realize they are not equipped to properly care for pets. .
“Every year we shout loudly that bunnies don’t make good Easter gifts, yet these reminders go unnoticed,” said Lejla Hadzimuratovic, founder and president of the nonprofit Bunny World Foundation. based in New York. Los Angeles, which has rescued thousands of unwanted rabbits from shelters and surrendered owners since its founding in 2008, told the City News Service in 2022.
“Usually bought on a whim as a toy for a child, (rabbits) often live a desolate life in the corner of a filthy cage without enrichment until they are abandoned in a shelter or killed through neglect” , Hadzimuratovic added.
“Each year we receive many reports of bunnies being purchased for Easter and then discarded once the cuteness or novelty has worn off, so we strongly advise against purchasing live animals as Easter gifts,” said Catie Cryar. from PETA to CNS.
Instead, rescue groups and animal control officials recommend buying a stuffed rabbit or chocolate bunny for children’s Easter baskets.
More information can be found at info@bunnyworldfoundation.org, or here.