Press Release - Easter 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bunny World Foundation Urges Public to Rethink Easter Traditions and Protect Domestic Rabbits
Los Angeles, CA — March 30, 2029— As Easter approaches, Bunny World Foundation (BWF), a Los Angeles-based nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and advocating for domestic rabbits, is calling on the public to reconsider the use of live rabbits as holiday gifts and to confront the harsh realities behind the “Easter bunny” myth.
“Easter bunnies who magically appear and lay multi-colored eggs shown on greeting cards and cartoons are nothing but a fantasy,” said Lejla Hadzimuratovic, founder and president of Bunny World Foundation. “The reality is that all year long, bunnies—who are more akin to urban chickens—are dying by the millions. They are slaughtered for food, fur, and skin, subjected to laboratory experiments, confined to shoebox-sized cages, neglected, and exposed to extreme conditions in commercial breeding facilities.”
Despite local protections, the problem persists in Los Angeles. Hadzimuratovic points to the continued sale of live animals in the Fashion District: “Although there is an ordinance prohibiting the sale of live animals on the streets of Los Angeles, the year-round live animal market at Santee Alley is thriving. Rabbits are often bought impulsively as toys for children, only to live short, miserable lives in cramped, filthy cages before being abandoned or dying from neglect.”
Each year, BWF and other rescue organizations see a significant surge in abandoned rabbits following Easter. “Every year, we warn that bunnies do not make good Easter gifts, and still, those reminders go unheeded,” Hadzimuratovic added.
To combat misinformation and promote responsible care, Bunny World Foundation will participate in the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden’s “Spring Fling” event on April 3, 2026, from 5–8 PM. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet rescued rabbits, learn about their complex care needs, and explore adoption options for those prepared to make a long-term commitment.
BWF also operates a free foster program to support the growing number of rabbits rescued from Los Angeles city shelters—many of whom have special medical needs. Volunteers provide temporary homes, assist with social media promotion, and bring rabbits to weekly adoption events until they find permanent homes.
In a powerful call to action, Bunny World Foundation emphasized:
“We’ve been rescuing and fighting for the rights of domestic rabbits for nearly 18 years, yet the public continues to fuel the cycle of suffering—especially during Easter. Rabbits are not disposable props, toys, or gifts. They are sensitive, intelligent, high-maintenance companion animals who require a 10+ year commitment of proper care.
Every purchase from breeders or pet stores directly supports cruelty. The fastest way to stop this suffering is simple: refuse to participate. Boycott breeders. Adopt, don’t buy. Never breed, sell, give away, exploit, or abandon a rabbit. Enough is enough.”
BWF encourages the public to celebrate Easter compassionately: choose chocolate instead of live animals, and help spread awareness about the plight of domestic rabbits.
Additional upcoming outreach events include:
All Saints Church, Pasadena — April 19, 2026
Private educational events in Hancock Park, Torrance, South Pasadena, and Westlake
For more information on attending events, adopting, fostering, or volunteering, please contact Bunny World Foundation at info@bunnyworldfoundation.org.
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About Bunny World Foundation
Bunny World Foundation (BWF) is an all-volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization founded in 2008 in Los Angeles, California. Its mission is to combat animal cruelty, illegal animal sales, exploitation, and neglect through rescue, public education, investigations, legislation, and community outreach.
Primarily dedicated to reducing rabbit overpopulation and establishing rabbits as companion animals deserving of the same care and respect as cats and dogs, BWF operates one of the most comprehensive rabbit foster and adoption programs in the United States. With the support of approximately 150 volunteers, the organization rescues and rehomes between 1,000 and 1,500 rabbits each year, providing medical treatment, Spay/Neuter services, supplies, and specialized care for abandoned and abused animals.
Over the past 18 years, BWF has rescued more than 20,000 rabbits across Los Angeles and has grown into one of the largest rabbit welfare organizations in the world. In 2024 alone, BWF provided care and permanent homes for over 1,500 rabbits and hosted more than 60 adoption events and educational workshops in partnership with municipal shelters and humane societies throughout Southern California.
BWF’s impact extends beyond rescue through large-scale investigations, advocacy, and public education, reaching hundreds of thousands online. Its work has contributed to policy recognition by the County of Los Angeles, the California State Assembly, and the City of Santa Clarita. The organization has been featured in major media outlets, including the Los Angeles Times, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, KTLA, Huffington Post, and Access Hollywood. Its campaign “Santee Alley Baby Bunnies” received both a Genesis Award from the Humane Society of the United States and a Los Angeles Area Emmy Award.
Recent Achievements (2023–2025):
Top-Rated Nonprofit (2023–2025): Recognized by GreatNonprofits for three consecutive years, reflecting strong community trust and impact.
LA Wildfires – Altadena, Pasadena, and Brentwood (2025): BWF mobilized its all-volunteer network to rescue over 150 displaced rabbits.
Granada Hills Hoarding Rescue (2024): Partnered with Los Angeles Animal Services to rescue over 100 rabbits from severe neglect, contributing to more than 650 rabbits saved that year.
Backyard Breeding Operation Rescue (2023): Helped shut down an illegal rabbit breeding operation, rescuing nearly 90 rabbits and advancing public awareness about overpopulation and humane care.
#LeaveBunniesOutOfEaster #BuyAToyNotALife #SomeoneNotSomething #NotYourEasterGift