Rabbits are a lifelong commitment, not a seasonal gift! Don’t buy your child a bunny for Easter, a local bunny lover and bunny foster carer from Durbanville appeals. This comes after a pellet gun was used to shoot many rabbits in the Durbanville cemetery over the past two weeks.
The problem of domestic rabbits being abandoned in parks in Durbanville and the Durbanville cemetery has escalated, far beyond neglect, to intentional cruelty, with rabbits suffering horrific injuries to their legs, stomachs and hindquarters, 25-year-old Kaylin-Lee Eveleigh pointed out.
Endure immense pain
“This is not a quick or humane death,” she declared. “These animals endure immense pain, often for hours or days, before they are found. In several cases the injuries have been so severe that the only humane option has been euthanasia.
“Our veterinarians have removed pellets from injured rabbits, confirming the nature of these attacks, and we are currently trying to pursue a criminal case.
“What makes this even more alarming is that these incidents are taking place near well-known primary schools in the area, raising serious concerns not only about animal cruelty but also about safety and behaviour being modelled within the community.”
“This situation is no longer just about abandoned animals; it has become a deeply disturbing reflection of both neglect and violence. It also highlights an urgent need for education, awareness and accountability to protect these vulnerable animals from further suffering.”
Domestic rabbits being abandoned
For several years now Durbanville has been facing a growing disturbing phenomenon of domestic rabbits just being abandoned in open fields and designated areas.
“This is largely driven by impulse purchases, especially around Easter, where rabbits are bought as gifts, often for children. Unfortunately, once the novelty wears off animal rescues across South Africa often see an increase in surrendered rabbits because families were unaware of the level of care these animals require.
“The Easter Bunny tradition dates back many years as a symbol of spring and new life. However, the trend of giving real rabbits as Easter gifts has grown more recently, often influenced by commercialisation and social media.
“As part of a small group of women I have been actively involved in trying to manage this crisis. We feed the rabbits daily, trap them for sterilisation to prevent further breeding, rescue the sick and injured, and do everything we can to find them safe and loving homes.
“It is already incredibly challenging and emotionally taxing work, especially knowing that the cycle continues year after year as more rabbits are dumped, many of them by families who simply lose interest.”
Joy of Easter
“This initiative is not about taking the joy of Easter away, but reshaping it. We want to keep the magic of Easter alive while protecting animals from unnecessary suffering. Through education, storytelling and community awareness we hope to create a kinder, more responsible future for rabbits.”
The Happy Hoppers Bun Club was founded by Eveleigh in 2023 as a community of rabbit lovers. “We share knowledge, support responsible rabbit care and advocate for better treatment and understanding of rabbits as pets,” she pointed out.
She also founded the Fox & Friends Colour Co. in 2026 as part of her broader creative platform, The Fox Collective. “It was created with the intention of producing meaningful, educational children’s books that inspire kindness, empathy and awareness around animals.”
Eveleigh has issued a printable Easter Bunny Care & Kindness Book to teaching children about bunny care, responsibility and kindness through colouring pages and engaging activities.
“It is designed to gently educate children (and parents) about what it truly means to care for a rabbit. Through fun, engaging pages it teaches that rabbits ar not temporary Easter gifts, but living beings that require long-term commitment, proper care and love.
“We want children to grow up understanding kindness towards animals and to help families make informed decisions before getting a pet.
“Rabbits can live for 8 to 12 years and need dedicated care. If this book helps even one family understand what caring for a bunny really means, then it’s worth it.
The book is available as an affordable downloadable activity pack for families to print at home, making it an accessible Easter activity while also sharing an important educational message.
Kaylin hoped the project would encourage parents to think carefully before giving live animals as holiday gifts and instead focus on teaching children compassion and responsible pet ownership.
The Bunny Care & Kindness Book is available at https://paystack.shop/fox-and-friends-colour-co?product=fox–friends-easter-bunny-care–kindness-colouring-bo-prnoir.
Love for rabbits
“My love for rabbits started when I was 10,” Everleigh said, “and had my first experience on how intelligent, affectionate and emotionally sensitive they are. They are often misunderstood as ‘low-maintenance’ pets, when in reality they require just as much care and attention as dogs or cats.”
She still has rabbits of her own, two Netherland dwarf bunnies; “they are a huge part of my life and the inspiration behind everything I am creating.
“Fostering involves temporarily caring for rabbits that have been abandoned, surrendered or rescued until they can be placed in permanent, loving homes. This includes providing proper diet, safe housing, socialisation and often helping them to recover from neglect. It can be incredibly rewarding, but also emotionally challenging.”
- She can be contacted on 072 554 2325 with enquiries.
You must be logged in to post a comment.