Sample letter for newspapers, etc.

Dear Editor,

Easter will soon be upon us, and pet stores will be tempting people to buy a cute little Easter bunny for a child or grandchild. In many cases, a stuffed rabbit would be a much wiser choice!

A rabbit can make a wonderful companion, but their care requires time and resources, as with any pet. Baby bunnies are cute and cuddly and may tolerate handling, but babyhood doesn't last long. Adult rabbits can range in size from 2 lb to 20 lb... and beware the pet store clearn who tells you the bunny you want is a dwarf, for more often than not it's not the truth, but just something said to get that animal out the door! Strong hind legs can scratch, and as a prey animal a rabbit has a natural fear of being lifted up off the ground, and won't tolerate the type of dragging around that most young children will insist upon.

Trust me; the stuffed bunny is a cheaper, and safer, option.

On the other hand if your family is looking for a new furry friend, a house rabbit can be a wonderful choice if you do your homework. Rabbits are intelligent, social creatures. They can be litter box trained, and with respect for their fears and feelings, you can form a very strong bond with them. Rabbits are playful, joyful creatures and can learn their name and come when called. While I cannot draw a direct comparision, their nature is more one of independence, like a cat, rather than that of a dog.

After Easter, shelters see a huge jump in the surrender rates of rabbits, as people who made a rash impulse decision realize that baby rabbits grow up into adult rabbits. Older rabbits in animal shelters have little chance of being adopted because most people mistakenly want a baby rabbit. This is unfortunate because older rabbits make the best pets. They are more tolerant of children and have reached their affectionate adult personality.

Save a life and don't buy an Easter bunny. Get the child in your life a stuffed animal. If you must have a rabbit, rescue a spayed or neutered adult rabbit from your local animal shelter, or from the House Rabbit Society. Visit our the House Rabbit Society online at http:\\www.rabbit.org for information on rabbit health and care, so you can make an informed decision!

Sincerely,

{Your name, city/town}