More Than an Easter Rabbit

<p><a class="redactor-added-link" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hellie55/">hehaden</a></p>
<p><a class="redactor-added-link" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hellie55/">hehaden</a></p>

House Rabbit Society, an international rabbit advocacy organization, works hard to dispel the notion that rabbits are children's pets, "starter pets," or Easter gifts.

They are smart, complicated animals who can live from 10 to 15 years and require as much care as a dog or a cat, and anyone who is interested in a rabbit as a pet needs to educate themselves on a rabbit's needs before making that commitment, so that the rabbit doesn't end up neglected or abandoned.

For folks who do want to adopt a rabbit as a permanent member of their family, House Rabbit Society, along with countless other shelters and rabbit rescue groups, has rescued rabbits awaiting homes.

Some have a harder time getting adopted than others.

Ironically, white, ruby-eyed rabbits, while heavily featured in Easter promotions, often go unadopted while their more colorful kin get homes. These rabbits, some of whom come from medical experiments or meat farms, are overlooked because they are deemed plain or people find their eyes creepy.

House Rabbit Society's Ruby Rabbit campaign challenges people to think differently about these snowy beauties.

Ruby

click to play video

Rabbits aren't for everyone. And they certainly aren't Easter toys. But perhaps watching this sweet gal go from lonely shelter rabbit to beloved family member might make someone think different about rabbits, and about white rabbits in particular. If so, then Easter might be better this year for at least one rabbit.