Plea not to buy real bunnies and chicks this Easter

MAKE sure you re Easter bunny is a chocolate one this year. That s the message from Caroline Collings, owner of Great Chishill Rabbit Residence. Caroline is supporting a campaign called Make Mine Chocolate, which aims to promote responsible rabbit ow

MAKE sure you're Easter bunny is a chocolate one this year.

That's the message from Caroline Collings, owner of Great Chishill Rabbit Residence.

Caroline is supporting a campaign called Make Mine Chocolate, which aims to promote responsible rabbit ownership.

She said: "The campaign warns against the impulse buying of rabbits as pets and is encouraging an alternative Easter gift this year - a chocolate or toy rabbit instead."

The Rabbit Residence always experiences an influx of new tenants at this time of year, and Caroline hopes that the Make Mine Chocolate initiative will help reduce the number of abandoned rabbits.

"The idea of buying a cute fluffy pet rabbit for a child is never more appealing than at Easter," she said.

"However, many impulse purchases of rabbits end up with the animal abandoned or left suffer a life of solitary confinement at the bottom of the garden as the owner becomes bored with their purchase."

Shepreth Wildlife Park is also warning against the purchase of Easter chicks.

Keepers at the park recently had to rescue six hens after they were discarded by their owner.

Visitors to the wildlife park over Easter weekend will be able to meet the hens, as well as take part in an Easter egg hunt.

For more information visit www.rabbitresidence.org.uk, or www.sheprethwildlifepark.co.uk.