Easter pets need proper care

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Photo by Bridget Bese

March 5, 2008

Despite the added sugar to the diet, chocolate is perhaps the better child’s gift for Easter. But for those who insist on buying an baby Easter ducks, chicks or bunny rabbits for their children, Atwoods offers some basic guidelines.

“The first thing I ask parents is if they have a heat lamp,” said Atwoods Assistant Manager, Gary Riddle. “That is as important as feed for them because they are little babies and need the heat.”

Baby chicks and ducks also should not be handled excessively, he said.

“Children can be hard on them and it can kill them,” he said.

Those who purchase chicks might consider purchasing more than one so the animals not only have company but also another body to help them stay warm, he said.

According to the owner of Two Bees Pet and Fish Shop, Jim Brittian, rabbits might be hard to find this year, as his breeder had a devastating fire. However, families who choose to purchase a rabbit, also need to prepare ahead of time.

Cages for rabbits must be at least 24 inches by three feet to give the pet ample room to exercise, Brittian said. Rabbits need fresh alfalfa hay to nibble on and pelleted food as well as a salt lick and plenty of fresh water every day.

More than anything, if you are going to purchase a pet, make sure you get online and research any pet purchase before you buy to avoid making an emotional choice, he said.

As cuddly and fun as they are, animals s Easter gifts sometimes end up mishandled or, when the fun has worn off and baby geese turn mean and baby chicks turn ugly, turned loose by people who think they can survive, said Woodward Animal Control Officer, Slab Crisswell.

“They can bring them to the shelter and they will live their lives out there,” Crisswell said. “We have a little petting zoo there and they will be fine out there.”

But the thing not to do with them, Crisswell said, is leave them at Crystal Beach Pond.

“There just gets to be too many of them and you can’t have a picnic without picnicking with the ducks and it just gets messy,” Crisswell said.