Simpsonville — It will be a happy Easter for Cookie Man and Bunny.
The two rabbits, which are the pets of Sharon Richburg, receive proper care and attention, unlike many of the bunnies that are cute and cuddly on Easter Day, only to be forgotten and discarded as they grow older.
“They can be wonderful companions, if you do your homework,” said Ms. Richburg, who is a volunteer at the Rabbit Sanctuary in Simpsonville.
For more than 30 years, Caroline Gilbert has operated the sanctuary on her farm, caring for abused and abandoned rabbits.
The sanctuary has a “home for life” policy for the rabbits. More than 50 rabbits now are at the farm.
Ms. Richburg said thousands of rabbits are sold as children’s pets, and ultimately about 90 percent of the bunnies that join families at Easter end up homeless or dead.
Jessica Medford, assistant manager at Saluda River Pet Food Center on U.S. 123 in Seneca, said proper care will help ensure a healthy pet.
“You need to make sure they have a healthy diet,” Ms. Medford said. “Iceberg lettuce does not have the nutritional values they need. Some fruits and vegetables are good, and a good brand of rabbit food is needed.”
A ceramic or metal water bowl is important because rabbits gnaw on just about everything. Ms. Medford said blocks of wood in the rabbit’s pen or cage will help the rabbit keep its teeth from growing too long.
Nicky Walthall, who also works at the Saluda River Pet Food Center, said rabbits should have bedding of cedar, aspen or North American pine shavings, and a rabbit should have its own pen or cage.
Ms. Medford said a rabbit cost roughly $20 and can be outfitted with cage and supplies for about $100. “That’s for the onetime expenses,” Ms. Medford said.

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