February Is Adopt-a-Rabbit Month

You can help a homeless bunny and open your life to new experiences by adopting a rabbit from the Animal Welfare League of Arlington during Adopt-A-Rabbit Month in February. The Animal Welfare League of Arlington and the House Rabbit Society celebrate February as Adopt-a-Rabbit Month to raise awareness about the huge number of rabbits in need of adoption.

If you already have a rabbit, consider adopting a friend. "Two bunnies are not twice the work of one, as long as they are bonded," according to the House Rabbit Society. "They share living quarters, food and water bowls, and even a litterbox - so the cleanup is essentially the same. And the bunnies entertain one another, groom one another, and keep each other company when their humans are not at home."

Bunnies can also be great companions for other pets. They can get along well with indoor cats and calm dogs. Rabbits are not well-understood pets. Consider these important points before making a decision:

• Rabbits are intelligent, social animals who need affection, and they can become wonderful companion animals if given a chance to interact with their human families.
• Rabbits are better pets for adults than for young children. They don't particularly like to be picked up and should not be handled roughly.
• Spaying or neutering is essential for litter box training, reducing territorial aggression, and giving your rabbit a long, healthy life.
• Bunny-proofing your home is part of living with a house rabbit. They need plenty of time outside the cage in a safe running area every day.
• Rabbits are prey animals and should not be kept outdoors. Domestic rabbits who are kept outdoors are also subject to fleas, ticks, parasites,extremes of weather, and neglect by their caretakers.