Rabbit Rescues Warn Families: Easter Bunnies Require More Than You Think

Local volunteers say surge in Easter adoptions is followed by wave of surrenders just days later

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:50pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A soft, blurred photograph in warm, pastel tones depicting a family petting a rabbit in a cozy indoor setting, conveying the intimate connection between people and rabbits while also hinting at the challenges of rabbit ownership.As the Easter holiday approaches, rabbit rescue organizations warn that the impulse to adopt a bunny often leads to heartbreak when new owners realize the true commitment required.Baton Rouge Today

Local rabbit rescue volunteers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana are warning families that caring for a rabbit as a pet requires much more commitment than many people expect. They say the Easter holiday often leads to a spike in rabbit adoptions, followed by a wave of surrenders just days later as new owners realize they are not prepared for the level of care required.

Why it matters

Rabbits are the third most returned pet in the United States, often because families underestimate the time, space, and specialized care needed to properly care for them. This pattern of impulse Easter adoptions followed by surrenders puts a strain on local rescue organizations and highlights the need for better education around responsible rabbit ownership.

The details

Volunteers say many people base their understanding of rabbit care on how meat rabbits are raised for agriculture, leading to dangerous mistakes. Rabbits need to live indoors, not in outdoor hutches, and require far more space than typical pet store cages. Their diet should be about 80% hay, with the remainder split between pellets and carefully selected vegetables. Finding veterinary care for rabbits can also be challenging, as not all clinics treat them. Rabbits also need to be spayed or neutered to prevent unexpected litters.

  • Every spring, rabbit rescues across the country surge in adoptions.
  • Just days after the Easter holiday, they are flooded with surrender requests.

The players

Shay Muhammad

A volunteer with Magic Happens Rabbit Rescue in Baton Rouge, Louisiana who has two rabbits of her own.

Magic Happens Rabbit Rescue

A volunteer-based rabbit rescue organization in Baton Rouge that offers resources and events to educate families about proper rabbit care.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“A couple weeks and sometimes even a couple days after these two holidays, we get a lot of inquiries for surrendering.”

— Shay Muhammad, Volunteer, Magic Happens Rabbit Rescue

“These guys struggle with temperature regulation. So if they're outside, they can easily overheat. And then they also might be prone to predation.”

— Shay Muhammad, Volunteer, Magic Happens Rabbit Rescue

“I have become a hay expert. Being a bunny mom, never thought I would be smelling hay and be like, oh, that smells great, but here I am.”

— Shay Muhammad, Volunteer, Magic Happens Rabbit Rescue

What’s next

Magic Happens Rabbit Rescue encourages families to volunteer at local rescues or shelters to get a feel for what rabbits are like as pets, and to consider fostering a rabbit before making a permanent commitment. They also recommend adopting from rescues rather than buying from breeders, as rescued rabbits are already spayed or neutered and their personalities are established.

The takeaway

This story highlights the need for better education around the responsibilities of rabbit ownership, especially around the Easter holiday when impulse adoptions often lead to a surge of surrenders at local rescues. Families should carefully consider the long-term commitment required before bringing a rabbit into their home.