Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 2, 1990 TAG: 9003310229
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Short
"Bunnies, chicks or ducklings may brighten a family household on Easter Sunday, but their ultimate fate sends the wrong message to children," says Dr. Stephen Zawistowski of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
"Before the end of spring, the majority of these `living gifts' end up in an animal shelter, because people are unaware that what looks adorable in a pet shop window may be difficult to care for at home."
Especially when that fuzzy yellow chick grows into a crowing rooster.
The American Animal Hospital Association, based in Denver, warns that baby ducks and chicks require at least two to three hours of basic daily care to become domesticated and once tamed cannot return to the flock. In addition, all such farm yard animals require clean shelters safe from predators, including other pets.
Since there are no routine vaccinations for these animals as there are for dogs and cats, clean cages and a close watch for changes in behavior are important, says the AAHA. Rabbits can be carriers of distemper and rabies, and ducks and chickens are carriers of salmonellosis and can transfer the disease to humans through their feces.
by CNB