Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group
Californians will have to stick to Peeps bunnies for their Easter celebrations as they will no longer be able to buy real bunnies at a pet store. As the Mercury News reported, “California became the first U.S. state to pass a law aimed at stemming a post-holiday deluge of maturing rabbits being abandoned or euthanized. The legislation, which took effect in January, prohibits retail shops from selling commercially bred dogs, cats and rabbits. The idea is to encourage adoption of rescued animals and to crack down on the sale of pets from “puppy mills,” “kitty factories” and “bunny bundlers.””
Rabbits that are purchased from pet stores as impulse buys before Easter are especially susceptible to abandonment and euthanasia. As Anne Martin, the executive director of the House Rabbit Society a non-profit that rescues rabbits and places them in foster care, told the Mercury News, “In the one to three months after Easter, we traditionally see a spike in shelter rabbit intakes.” She added that in Northern California alone, thousands of stray and unwanted rabbits end up in the municipal shelter systems, and the majority of these rabbits are under a year old.
In light of California’s decision, legislatures in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Pennsylvania are considering similar bills. Dozens of cities, from Boston and Chicago to Salt Lake City already have local ordinances on the books.
Why This Matters: Animals aren’t toys and becoming a pet owner is a serious responsibility and also a financial commitment–these are some things to consider before adopting any pet. But if you’re looking to get your bunny fix, check out these adorable videos.
