Updated at 3.40pm

THE DSPCA HAS urged people to avoid pet purchases on a whim this Easter and remember that they might seem cute at the time but they are a lot of work.

At a time when furry little bunnies are all over the television, children tend to beg their parents to let them get one as a pet. Unfortunately, according to the DSPCA, the floppy-eared pets are often forgotten, not long after they are first bought or adopted.

Spokesperson Gillian Bird said although bunnies and chicks are adorable, these cute little animals grow into adult animals who require a commitment to provide daily care for the rest of their lives.

“Bringing any animal—including small animals like rabbits and chicks—into your home places demands on your time and financial resources and should be done only after carefully assessing your family’s ability to meet the animal’s needs. So remember Make Mine Chocolate!”

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If you have your heart set on a bunny, you’ll need to have a proper, regularly cleaned, cage for them, learn how to handle them properly, provide the right food for their diet and let them out for plenty of exercise. And they can live for up to 12 years so you need to be prepared to do all of this for that long.

The DSPCA does not recommend rabbits for children under the age of eight because if they accidentally drop it, the rabbit will be frightened and may scratch the child.

However they said the animals, make great pets for older children. They are social animals and love the company of humans or another rabbit – as long as they are neutered because we all know what happens if they’re not.

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The DSPCA has a number of lovely rabbits at its rehoming centre waiting to be adopted. Just make sure you’re prepared to take care of them properly before diving in.

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