Marsh Farm has told the public that it cannot provide homes for unwanted rabbits given as Easter gifts.
Each year, the South Woodham farm receives inquiries from people asking if homes can be found for their rabbits in the attraction's pets corner, but the farm is unable to help.
"It seems that when they aren't so small and cute, people don't always want them," said information officer Karen Ager.
"We get a lot of calls asking if we can home unwanted bunnies, but we can't, partly because of the dangers of disease, such as myxomatosis, to our own."
An estimated 10,000 rabbits are bought as Easter presents every year - a figure that could well be on the increase according to the Rabbit Welfare Association.
"There is probably a lot more impulse buying going on now, because there are so many more places where children see bunnies," said the association's Anne Mitchell.
Animal sanctuaries take in about 33,000 rabbits a year, but that number is just the tip of the iceberg, she said.
"Many, many more are released into the wild or taken to a vet to be put down."
Published Thursday, April 24, 2003
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