ALL NEWS

Gifting animals for Easter might be a bad idea according to veterinarian

Apr 12, 2022, 2:55 PM
why not to gift animals for Easter...
Patients at Shriners Hospital for Children enjoy a special Easter egg hunt in Salt Lake City Wednesday, April 16, 2014. Photo credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News.

SALT LAKE CITY — When it comes to Easter baskets, it’s best to leave gifting animals out of them, according to Utah State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Many parents gift chicks, ducklings, and rabbits to children as Easter presents but often return or abandon the animals once their child loses interest. 

In an online post, the USU veterinary school said it is very easy for children to injure these small animals. Especially by those who don’t understand how to safely hold them. Many other challenges occur when trying to care for a baby rabbit, chicken, or duck. 

Proper preparation and housing seem to be the biggest issue when caring for these animals. When it comes to ducks, they need a big outdoor space. 

“Rember, they do need a pond or other water source to be happy… And those ponds tend to get messy and muddy. They’re not ideal for people with pristine lawns and lovely flower beds,” said Dr. Jane Kelly, president of the Utah Veterinary Medical Association and USU professor.

Furthermore, ducks can be very noisy, live up to 10 years, become distressed without a companion, and have very fragile bodies. 

According to Kelly, rabbits pose similar challenges. They tend to be very fragile and will bite and scratch due to the grips of young children. 

“Rabbits should be handled with care and held properly to prevent accidental fracture of the spine,” said Kelly. 

Ducks, chickens, and rabbits may also carry disease. Kelly claims that salmonella outbreaks have been associated with ducklings and chicks. She also said that wild rabbits can easily catch tularemia, a disease that can spread from dead rabbits, flies, and ticks. 

That said, with a lot of preparation and education it is possible to home chicks, rabbits, and ducklings. That includes: proper nutrition, clean and disinfected living space, and fresh water daily. Quarantining new and sick animals can help control disease if it occurs. 

“No matter how cute the bunnies, chicks and ducklings are do not kiss them or put them near your face,” Kelly said.

“A gift certificate to a zoo, aviary or aquarium makes a fantastic gift for children interested in birds and animals of all types,” Kelly said. 

Related Story: Easter candy recalled due to missing label 

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

All News

Then-President Donald Trump leads a meeting with travel and tourism industry executives to discuss ...
Sara Murray, Zachary Cohen and Tierney Sneed, CNN

Trump appeals court ruling lifting executive privilege shield for former aides

Former President Donald Trump is appealing a court ruling that would force several of his former aides, including Mark Meadows, to answer questions before a grand jury as part of the criminal investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN.
6 hours ago
Avalanche danger is considerable in the Northern Mountains today....
Mark Jones

What is the cause in the spike of avalanches in Utah?

Dave & Dujanovic discuss why there have been so many avalanches in the state this year and just how forceful they can be.
1 day ago
Phil Conder prepares sand bags in Midvale, Utah, on March 17, 2023. Utahns are preparing for possib...
Mark Jones

Is it too soon to prepare for flooding? Sandbags being prepared

Salt Lake County is preparing for potential flooding later this spring with sandbags. The county's emergency management Director joined Dave and Dujanovic to discuss the situation.
1 day ago
police at ogden high school pictured after utah school shooting hoax...
Hugo Rikard-Bell

A former SLCPD officer discusses how police respond to copycat situations

Copycat situations are common following a school shooting such as the one that occurred in Tenneesse earlier this week. A former SLCPD talks to KSL NewsRadio how police respond.
1 day ago
An online marriage licensing portal has grabbed the attention of Israel, where historically marriag...
Waverly Golden

Online marriage licensing gets the attention all over the world

An online marriage licensing portal has grabbed the attention of Israel, where historically marriage is controlled by the Rabbinate.
1 day ago
Theb Utah Highway Patrol says three people died Wednesday afternoon following a two-vehicle crash i...
Samantha Herrera

Three people killed in two-vehicle crash on US-89 in Logan Canyon

US-89 is closed in Logan Canyon due to a crash. The Utah Highway Patrol says three people have died. The UHP says a Kia Rio crossed into oncoming lanes.
1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...
BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.
Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....
Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a new winter activity? Try skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.
Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...
Intermountain Health

Five common causes of Cervical Cancer – and what you can do to lower your risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.
Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...
Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.
happy friends with sparklers at christmas dinner...
Macey's

15 easy Christmas dinner ideas

We’ve scoured the web for you and narrowed down a few of our favorite Christmas dinner ideas to make your planning easy.
Spicy Homemade Loaded Taters Tots...
Macey's

5 Game Day Snacks for the Whole Family (with recipes!)

Try these game day snacks to make watching football at home with your family feel like a special occasion. 
Gifting animals for Easter might be a bad idea according to veterinarian