Press Releases

This Easter Say YES to Chocolate but NO to Flowers

(Toronto – April 13, 2006) Every Easter, well-meaning people adopt rabbits in a misguided attempt to enhance the holiday festivities. Few people research rabbits long enough to discover children and rabbits are not always a good match. Sadly, for the rabbits, when the novelty of Easter wears off, they often find themselves surrendered to a shelter or worse – abandoned to the woods.

The Toronto Humane Society stresses it is irresponsible to obtain a rabbit, or any other pet, on impulse. Instead, the Society encourages potential adopters to seriously consider how a live rabbit will fit the lifestyle and family dynamic. This Easter, why not purchase a book on rabbit care accompanied by a chocolate bunny. If the interest in rabbits extends well past the holiday season – come down to the shelter to meet some rabbits in need of good homes.

While a chocolate bunny is an excellent alternative to the real thing, families with pets must be diligent about pet hazards such as chocolate treats (often hidden throughout the house but accessible to your pet), Easter lilies, and plastic Easter grass.

Take care to make sure the chocolate treasures of Easter are not discovered and ingested by your dog or cat. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats; it contains a high fat content, caffeine and theobromine, which over stimulates the pet’s nervous system. If your pet has ingested chocolate, you may notice restlessness, hyperactivity, twitching, frequent urination, and panting. The high fat content in chocolate can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Also, foil wrappers can easily lodge in your pet’s throat or stomach.

Keep chocolate in a safe place. If you think your pet has eaten chocolate, or ingested something harmful such as foil wrappers, call your veterinarian immediately.

While Easter lilies, tiger lilies, and day lilies are beautiful flowers, they pose a threat to your cat’s health. Ingesting even a piece of this toxic plant can give your cat a severe case of poisoning or kidney damage. Immediately after ingestion your cat will stop eating and may begin vomiting. If undetected, your cat will become lethargic and could die in as few as five days. Keep Easter lilies out of your home or in a room where curious kitties are not at risk.

Easter baskets are another irresistible danger to curious pets. These baskets are often filled with plastic Easter grass, foil wrappings, plastic toys, and chocolate. These goodies can cause your dog or cat to choke, or obstruct their stomach and intestines. Keep ribbons and string away from your pet and to avoid strangulation or choking, never ‘decorate’ your pet with these items.

If you are expecting company for Easter, make sure you inform all visitors to your home about the house rules concerning your pets. It is also important to remember pets can go missing on holidays because visitors have mistakenly left the door or gate open.

For more information, contact:
Communications Department

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