Humane Society of Elmore County News
Hope for a great turnout this coming Saturday, 1 April, 9 am – 3 pm at Old Alabama Town, 310 North Hull Street, Montgomery. Both our Shelter and the Montgomery Humane Society will be joining in the “Market Day” fun with some of our great pups looking for homes. So,mark your calendar to visit Old Alabama Town as there will also be a large number of Vendors looking forward to your support. If you have never visited this great historical site then this Saturday will be the perfect day!
Easter is coming up in a couple of weeks and we want to caution against getting or giving baby chickens, ducks or rabbits as pets for children for Easter. Why? Thousands of these baby animals end up dying of neglect or injury from unprepared or uncommitted owners and that simply is not in keeping with the message of Easter.
Raising chickens, ducks or rabbits can be quite rewarding but are you prepared for the fact that baby chicks and ducklings need to be kept at 95 degrees the first week of their life, 90 the next, and so on, until they are 4-5 weeks old and fully feathered? The ideal source of heat is a red heat bulb, and you’ll want a thermometer in their cage along with their own special food and fresh water at all times, bedding, shelter & space to grow.
Baby rabbits also need to be kept clean, warm and safe and as they grow will need a roomy house/ pen where they can romp and be kept safe from predators which could turn out to be your own dog or cat.
One chicken or duck can be quite lonely since they are flock animals, so are you prepared to maintain more than one? Do you know that chickens and ducks live ten to fifteen years and rabbits eight to twelve years? What are your plans for your child’s duckling, chick or rabbit if you are not truly committed? And what if you make a mistake and keep a boy and girl rabbit together – it is possible for some breeds of rabbits to breed as early as 8-12 week of age meaning even more pets in need of new homes.
We think a much better idea to celebrate Easter is to purchase a stuffed toy duck, chicken or rabbit for your child since a stuffed toy can be set aside when the child tires of it with no repercussions. After all, if you are not fully prepared for what these babies need and they die in a few days, then isn’t that a sad Easter memory for your child? Easter is about life, so let’s celebrate that by not putting baby animals at risk as a living child’s ‘toy.’
