20 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday March 31, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Rabbits are in season, but not the right reason E aster surrounds us with a world of bunnies, chocolate candies and treats. It's the time of year when children often hope for a rabbit to call their own. While rabbits can make enjoyable pets, parents are cautioned that the pressure of the season is not the right reason to buy. Owning a rabbit is not like having a cat or a dog. Rabbits can be affectionate in their own way, but their behaviours are different from other pets. They also have different living requirements that should be considered carefully. Rabbits need to be maintained in a large cage that has good ventilation. The cage should be out of draughts, direct sunlight and the reach of other pets. Rabbits need room to move around, in addition to a litter box, dishes, and toys. Two-storey cages encourage the rabbit to jump up and move about. The minimum height of any cage should allow the rabbit to stand upright. Try to avoid cages with solid walls as they do not allow for good ventilation and the bunny can not see the surrounding environment. This can be stressful for your pet. All cages should provide a solid area for the bunny to rest on (cardboard, towels, newspapers) to avoid sores developing on their hocks. Preventing illness also means keeping the cage clean. Avoid using bedding materials such as cedar shavings as they can cause respiratory problems. Regular cage cleaning is part of ownership. Some rabbits can be litter trained, while others cannot. Daily cleaning of the litter box and cage cleaning every 2-3 days will help to keep odours down, remove molting (rabbits shed four times/year and sometimes heavily) and provide a healthy living environment for your pet. Do not use harsh cleaners on the cage as they will make the bunny ill. Soap and water is ideal. Litters can be made up of aspen bark, woodstove pellets (compressed hardwood), newspaper or newspaper based cat litter (example Yesterday's News). To help litter train your rabbit place the litter pan in the corner of the cage that the rabbit uses as its bathroom area. Keeping a large clean cage provides a rabbit with a good living space. Exercise and daily gentle handling will help it to keep a positive mental state. Rabbits are most active in the morning and at dusk - good times to exercise them. If you choose to let your rabbit roam outside of its cage bunny-proof your home and monitor it closely. Taking these precautionary measures will help to reduce potential damage to your home and safeguard the rabbit. Wires, chemicals, stairways and other pets are the most common household hazards to a bunny. Toys provide bunnies with fun inside and PET OF THE WEEK: The shelter has many small animals looking for homes. Sunny the hamster is just one of the many to choose from. For more available animals visit www.oakvillehumane.ca. outside of their cage. Brown bags, empty toilet paper rolls, sturdy plastic parrot toys (only for those that do not try to consume plastic), compressed hay cubes, or unwaxed cardboard boxes provide great play items. To keep interaction similarly positive, family members should know basic rules of handling, particularly children. Ask children to be seated on the floor, and then place the rabbit in their lap or arms, supporting the body at all times. Jumpy bunnies will be able to make a safe getaway from this position if they get restless. Remind children that rabbits should never be picked up by their ears and to use caution near their mouths. All family members should know which foods are suitable for their bunny and what will upset the rabbit's complex digestive system. New foods should be introduced slowly and the bunny's teeth checked regularly so that they do not become overgrown. A healthy bunny diet includes access to fresh water, unlimited access to timothy or other suitable grass hay, a minimum of 2 cups of fresh veggies per day, and 1/8th of a cup of pellets for every 2-4 pounds of body weight. Fruits are high in sugar and therefore should be given in limited amounts as treats. Do not feed chocolate as it is toxic to rabbits. Providing a healthy home, a good diet, lots of exercise and interaction will help to keep your bunny happy. Rabbits do not require vaccinations, but you should make sure that you know a veterinarian with rabbit experience in the event that your pet gets sick. To help reduce the likelihood of cancer and aggressive behaviours spaying or neutering is recommended. Each spring the Oakville & District Humane Society staff sees the same pattern of interest in rabbits at the shelter. Although the rabbits housed at 445 Cornwall Rd. are looking for good homes, if purchased as Easter gifts it is likely that they will be returned once the reality of ownership settles in. With a lifespan of over 10 years, choosing a rabbit is a responsibility that goes well beyond the Easter season. If you think that you have considered all the right reasons to purchase one for your family, contact a local breeder for more information. To contact the Oakville and District Humane Society call 905-845-1551. -- Submitted by the Oakville and District Humane Society EASTER BRUNCH Sunday April 8th 2007 11am-2pm Join us on Easter Sunday at the Courtyard Grill Easter Champagne Brunch Buffet Includes: Carvery of Ham & Prime Rib · Scrambled Eggs · Bacon & Sausage Pancakes · Tossed & Caesar Salad · Seafood Salads Smoked Salmon Platters Assortment of Fine World Cheeses Pasta of the Day · Homestyle Potatoes Fresh Garden Vegetables Home Baked Breads · Muffins, Croissants, Danishes French Pastries, Tortes, Cakes, Pies Glass of Chilled Mimosa, Coffee or Tea Rice Krispies Easter Bunnies · 1/4 cup margarine or butter· 1 pkg regular marshmallows · 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional) · 6 cups Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal · Prepared icing for decoration · Pink construction paper cut into bunny ears · Licorice Melt margarine in saucepan low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Stir in vanilla. Stir in Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal until well coated. Using 1/4 cup measure and buttered hands, shape cereal mixture into 7 cm balls. Use icing to attach two balls together to form bunny body and head. Use icing to attach paper bunny ears and licorice for whiskers. Make eyes, mouth, and tail. - News Canada Join us at Hampton's Restaurant located in the Quality Hotel & Suites for Easter Brunch Sunday, April 8th. An elaborate buffet extravaganza with the Easter Bunny to take the kids on an Easter egg hunt and after let them enjoy our activity area where they can color and play. 1500 Sixth Line (Just South of Upper Middle Rd.) $21.99 per person Children 12 and under half price Children under 5 eat free We will be offering two seatings for our brunch. The 10:30 A.M. Brunch will be available until 12:30 P.M. A 1:30 P.M. Brunch will be available until 3:30 P.M. Please call 905-847-6667 extension 1102 to book your reservation. The regular breakfast menu will not be served this day. 905-844-9209 Liz, Nick & Staff at ART'S FISH & CHIPS wish our customers a Happy & Healthy Easter and remind you that we will be OPEN on Good Friday, 12 Noon to 8pm Restaurant & Pub Open for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 754 Bronte Rd. (inside the Quality Hotel) Come early and avoid the 5 pm rush. 905-847-1566