Skip The Rabbit For The Year of The Rabbit, Urges Local Organisation To The Public

By Charlene Jose  •  03 Jan 2023 in News

Thirsty for JUICE content? Quench your cravings on our Instagram, TikTok and WhatsApp

With the Lunar New Year fast approaching on the 22nd of January, everyone is preparing for their yearly traditions with their loved ones. 

Since it’s the Year of the Rabbit, many are decorating their homes and spaces with the said zodiac animal.

Considering the 11 other zodiac animals, the rabbit seems to be the most family and pet-friendly.

However, the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) is warning people against getting rabbits as pets before Chinese New Year.

“In a consumer-oriented society, people are tempted to get the animal associated with the zodiac animal for the year. The inevitable outcome of which is neglect, abuse, mistreatment, and abandonment,” CAP president, Mohideen Abdul Kader said in a statement.

As with any other past zodiac “animal trend”, there is bound to be an extensive exploitation by pet retailers, petting zoos, and animal farms, thanks to the brisk demand of the furry creature. 

He added that if a rabbit was required to represent luck, style, or beauty, individuals may buy a toy or figurine in its place.

Rabbits are not as low maintenance as people think. Mohideen said that rabbit owners are not knowledgeable on the fact that the animal needs space to exercise as they are social creatures and need social stimulation.

These furry creatures should not be confined in cages or tiny hutches without proper food and clean water.

“It is time for people to change their thoughts about keeping (them as) pets and tackle the ignorance that is so prevalent.”