Pet Rabbits

* Each Easter Sunday many well-meaning people surprise their children with pet store rabbits. But sad to say, Easter and rabbits don’t mix. Most Easter bunnies never see their first birthday. Once the holiday novelty wears off and the child loses interest, bunnies are dumped in parks or in streets where--having no survival skills--they perish. The lucky ones find their way to animal shelters, which are soon inundated with cast-offs.

If you must buy a rabbit (presumably for a responsible child age 10 or older), I urge you to begin your search at a local animal shelter. You can save a life and find a wonderful pet.

I help out at the Santa Monica and West Los Angeles animal shelters. Here, even before Easter, there are many sweet rabbits needing homes. They are friendly, playful, and can easily be litter-box trained like a cat.

CARLA KALLAN

Los Angeles