Though they're cute as can be, the Humane Society of the United States and other animal advocates are urging people not to give chicks and bunnies as Easter gifts.
The main reason: The baby animals grow up quickly and people have a tendency to get sick of them and give them up not long after the holiday.
"People often don't realize the level of commitment that these animals require," Adam Goldfarb, director of the Pets at Risk program for HSUS, said in a statement. "The animals that people associate with Easter, like chicks and baby rabbits, have very specific social and nutritional needs. They can't be caged continuously or relegated to the basement or garage."
Every year after Easter, animal shelters are deluged with unwanted Easter pets. Unfortunately, many are euthanized due to lack of available homes, the Humane Society says.
Also, the CDC points out that baby chicks can convey salmonella to children. Read more on that here.
People also tend to think that they can release the pets into the woods after Easter when their children aren't interested in them any longer. Although birds and rabbits exist in the wild, the domesticated versions of these animals that people give as Easter gifts have no idea how to find food or fend for themselves.
To learn more about taking care of rabbits, click here.
AP file photo of baby chicks.