Press Release 04/13/2006
Avoid Buying Animals for Children’s Easter Gifts, Says Agriculture Commissioner
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin urged parents to avoid buying Easter animals for young children.
"Those colored chicks and fluffy, yellow ducklings are cute and, naturally, children will want to touch, hold and keep one. However, many, if not most, die before reaching maturity, and those that survive grow up to be entirely different animals," said Commissioner Irvin. "Children do not realize this and parents sometimes do not understand the needs of these animals.
"Chickens, ducks and especially roosters are not good playmates for young children," said Irvin. Rabbits can make good pets, according to Irvin, but he urged parents to research buying one and not purchase one on impulse just because it is Easter.
"Before making a purchase, ask yourself if you truly know how to care for these animals. Ask yourself if you have the space and time to accommodate them. Ask if your child realizes this is a living animal and not a toy that can be discarded," said Irvin.
"If you can’t answer ‘yes’ to those questions, consider buying a stuffed animal to put in your child’s Easter basket instead," said Irvin. "A stuffed animal can be loved for years and never ends up in a local animal shelter and never breaks a child’s heart by dying a week after purchase
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