Easter Chicks & other traditions? Imagine my horror when I saw local pet stores selling live animals as Easter pets.

Yuck.

Sometimes I wonder why I live in an area where the majority of people still practice traditions that were abandoned 15-20 years ago by more progressive types. Even the service clubs around these parts think it is still okay to auction off live animals during fund raisers.

Now there are multiple problems with purchasing pets from stores and the tradition is fast disappearing for those retailers who are more enlightened. Some of the problems store animals face are poor breeding (translate: genetic problems, disease, and more veterinary medical care needs as a result), improper socialization, inadequate confinement, and impulse buys by people who are not savvy as to what the animal really will need.

*sigh*

Anyway, you can send the CDC Easter Chick info poster to anyone you know who receives Easter chicks during the holiday. The CDC warns against giving chicks and ducks as pets.

Check out this video where the easter chicks are dyed–most of the chicks will die due inadequate care.The sad thing is that a more humane alternative is available Wind-Up Easter Bunny and Chick.

Photo at the CDC Pet Warning Area

Chicks are not the only problem. One of the quotes I found from a House Rabbit Society spokesperson estimates three out of 10 rabbits bought from pet stores die because people buy them on impulse without knowing what they are getting into as owners.

A couple of years ago I was not the only one urging people to buy chocolate rabbits instead—and you can do so through the Make Mine Chocolate Easter campaign which I talked about before.

Now purchasing Easter pets is not the only problem during Easter and since this week was National Poison Prevention Week it is a good time to warn Easter celebrants that many animals will end up in veterinary clinics after the Easter holiday because they will have eaten something toxic.

For instance, a dog consuming chocolate eggs or maybe the cat decided to have a chew on the Easter basket grass or on an Easter Lily (Lilium longiflorum).

Here is a link to the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center but it you have a problem–get your pet to a veterinary clinic or emergency care clinic ASAP.

For those of you who want to include your pets in the Easter Egg Hunt–why not get those plastic eggs and place dog and cat treats in them so your critters can join in the fun?

Other non-toxic-to-pet treats can be stuffed in the others for the kids…or get those edible for both pets and kids.

Finally, here is a downloadable coloring page featuring a cute little chick because I just know that you want to teach kids early about how to be good stewards of animals and the earth…