In light of this past Thursdaysa国际传媒檚 release of the movie, Peter Rabbit, a B.C.-based animal rescue organization is pleading with consumers to refrain from impulsively buying rabbits as pets.

The release of films featuring cute animals typically results in a spike in pet sales, which in turn, results in volunteer-run, non-profit rescues being inundated with requests to take unwanted animals once consumers discover how much work they are, said Lisa Hutcheon, president of Small Animal Rescue Society of B.C. (SARS BC).

sa国际传媒淔or dedicated guardians, having a pet rabbit is a rewarding experience,sa国际传媒� the president of the Aldergrove-based group admitted.

sa国际传媒淏ut too often, we see the other side of rabbit guardianship. They are dumped in parks and left to fend for themselves, soon falling victim to injury, disease, starvation and predators. For hundreds of these former pets, death is a slow, painful certainty,sa国际传媒� she elaborated.

This has been seen with the release of such films as Snow Dogs, Snow Buddies, Legally Blonde and 101 Dalmatians, Hutcheon pointed out.

sa国际传媒淭his release poses an extra threat as it coincides with Easter, typically a terrible time for rabbits and rabbit rescues,sa国际传媒� she predicted.

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Adoption means in for the long haul

A cage is not enough.

Rabbits are high maintenance pets that require specialized vet care and daily exercise.

Their indoor enclosures and litter boxes need to be cleaned regularly.

Their survival depends on being fed a specific diet and having their eating and elimination habits closely monitored.

sa国际传媒淭hey are ground loving prey animals that do not appreciate to be cuddled and carried around,sa国际传媒� Hutcheon said, offering some insight into what some simply see as cute little cuddly bunnies.

sa国际传媒淚n addition, rabbits can live up to 10-12 yearssa国际传媒�..not the one or two years most people think.sa国际传媒�

Most rescue groups sa国际传媒� which are typically volunteer run and dependent on private donations sa国际传媒� are at their limits taking care of abandoned rabbits and victims of cruelty and neglect.

The wait times for owner surrenders are long, and one will most likely not be able to find immediate placement for a rabbit should one decide to give it up.

Releasing a rabbit into the wild is not an option. It is illegal and will result in the rabbitsa国际传媒檚 death,sa国际传媒� Hutcheon said.

sa国际传媒淧lease enjoy the Peter Rabbit movie and if you feel the urge to add a rabbit to your family, cons for your lifestyle,sa国际传媒� she said.

sa国际传媒淩abbits are often a poor choice for children. Otherwise, a stuffed bunny is a great choice.sa国际传媒�

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No other group takes small animals

The Small Animal Rescue Society of BC is a registered charity with the primary focus to rescue and re-home small animals in need sa国际传媒� neglected, injured, and abandoned animals are their main priority.

Langley has no where to take small animals,sa国际传媒� Hutcheon said.

sa国际传媒淚f this movie ends creating a surplus of unwanted pet rabbits, then we are in big, big trouble and lots of animals may end up neglected or dead,sa国际传媒� she concluded.

SARS works with a number of small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, degus, chinchillas, hedgehogs, reptiles, birds, ferrets, cats, and dogs sa国际传媒� and encourages people not to breed or buy while homeless pets are dying.

More information about the group, its need for funding, and what animals are available for adoption can be found online at: .