Easter Bunnies: Make Mine Chocolate!

Rabbits are a familiar symbol of the Easter holiday. In the days leading up to it, they appear on television commercials and packages of candy, and stores are filled with stuffed rabbits. It is no surprise that children beg their parents for a bunny of their own. Ill-prepared to care for these unique creatures, their owners often quickly tire of them.

In the months following Easter, local humane societies and rabbit rescues are flooded with rabbits, former Easter gifts whose owners no longer want them. The unlucky ones are dumped outside where predators, cars, illness and injury virtually guarantee an early death.

In 2002, in an attempt to address the problem, the Columbus House Rabbit Society began a campaign to educate the public on the realities of living with a rabbit, and to discourage giving live rabbits as Easter gifts. Using ceramic pins in the form of chocolate bunnies as the symbol, the campaign's goal is to spread the message that rabbits should not be casually acquired and to educate the public about the special needs of these often-fragile creatures.

The pins serve as conversation starters. Comments about the pin provide the wearer the opportunity to share the  message with the general public. These informal conversations are supported by a card that is distributed with each pin, and by business cards that can be handed out to interested parties.

Both the pin card and the business card list important facts that should be considered before bringing a rabbit into the home. The goal is to educate the public of the challenges of properly caring for rabbits and to encourage them to purchase chocolate Easter bunnies (or stuffed toy animals) rather than live rabbits.

In 2012,  the "Make Mine Chocolate" celebrated its first decade of existence. What began as the dream of three women in Columbus, Ohio, has become an international reality.  Each year brings more partners committed to sharing their dream of educating the public about the realities of living with rabbits before a purchase is made.

For more information on Make Mine Chocolate, visit their website or "Like" their Facebook page!