With Easter a little over a week away, animal rescue groups in Southern California are urging people not to buy rabbits as holiday gifts for children. They say that what begins as a well-meaning gesture often leads to abandoned animals when the novelty wears off and families realize they're not equipped to properly care for the pets. "Every year, shelters report an influx of rabbits who were bought for Easter and then discarded once their cuteness or novelty wore off," PETA's Catie Cryar told City News Service. "Some of them are bought to put in children's Easter baskets, whereas others are purchased by family photographers to be used as props for Easter photos. Rabbits are reportedly the third most commonly surrendered animals to our nation's shelters, and it's estimated that about 80% of them bought for Easter will die or be abandoned within the first year, so this is a life-and-death issue. The animal rights group is running a public service announcement on some radio stations and spreading the message on X and other social media accounts that "rabbits are someone, not something," Cryar added. "We also like to remind everyone that adding an animal to the family should come with a lifelong commitment to them. If someone is truly prepared to provide a rabbit with a lifetime of specialized care, the answer is to adopt — not shop." The Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas says their shelter and others nationwide come across stray bunnies who were abandoned by families that adopted them for Easter. Instead of a live animal, rescue groups recommend buying a stuffed toy bunny or chocolate candy rabbit for kids' Easter baskets. MORE: https://www.cbs8.com/article/life/animals/think-again-before-buying-bunnies-easter-gifts/509-b53168ba-a114-4965-8b5e-be2579bbcc99