We’ve plagiarised a well-known Dogs Trust mantra, but the sentiment is the same - people should not be buying pets on a seasonal whim.

It’s hard to believe this sort of thing happens, but it does, and a certain well-known UK and local pet retailer is to stop selling rabbits over the Easter weekend to help alleviate the problem.

The newly-released ’Peter Rabbit’ film is also expected to lead to more impulse buying of bunnies, and children will want their very own Flopsies, Mopsies and Cottontails at home in their back gardens.

But before parents succumb to ’pester power’ it is important to remember that, although rabbits make excellent pets, they are high-maintenance.

Rabbits need daily care - they need feeding and handling (the fun bits) but they are also messy little creatures and their pens and hutches need to be cleaned out thoroughly at least once a week (not so much fun, especially in the dark winter months).

That said, some rabbits can be litter trained and most are fastidious about grooming themselves.

A well-looked after rabbit can live for 10 years or more, and so they are a long-term commitment.

And one rabbit is generally not enough.

Keeping rabbits in pairs or groups is strongly recommended, because they are gregarious by nature and they need almost constant companionship. Rabbits can develop abnormal behaviours and may suffer if left alone for long periods with nothing to do.

The ManxSPCA receives several calls a month from people who are concerned about the welfare of pet rabbits - most callers are worried that a neighbour’s rabbit is being kept in a hutch, with limited access to a run or a garden, and that it is being given very little care or attention.

Our welfare officers endeavour to contact the owner to give advice, or to suggest that they hand over the rabbit to the ManxSPCA.

The most common reason for rabbits being given in to the society is that their owners no longer have the time for them, and that children have lost interest.

We have more than 25 rabbits in our pens at the moment, of all shapes and sizes, and they are all neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. You can meet them by coming along to the small animals unit, and staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. Pictured (from top left, clockwise) are: Marley and Narla; Roo and Casper; Snowy and Socks; and the ’gang’.

We also have a very special white and tan ’singleton’ called Peter, who needs experienced owners because he is a bit head-strong and opinionated - a rabbit with attitude, just like his namesake!

If you already have a rabbit the ManxSPCA offers a free rabbit bonding service whereby an adopter’s existing pet is brought to the small animals unit for up to two weeks, and gradually introduced to a new rabbit on neutral territory. The success rate for this service is high, and staff will then give as much post-adoption support as is necessary.

Ard Jerkyll is open to the public over the Easter bank holiday weekend, with visiting times being 1pm to 4pm.

The tearooms is open 10am to 4pm on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday but will be closed on bank holiday Monday. We look forward to seeing you, and hope that you will join in our Easter egg hunt that will run throughout the school holidays.