Fremont, California - March 30, 2001 - While the classic Cadbury egg commercials run every 15 minutes and the local mall is starting to fill with children scrambling for a seat on the Easter Bunny's lap, The House Rabbit Society has taken a different approach to Easter and is getting a response far exceeding their expectations.

Every Easter, The House Rabbit Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing abandoned rabbits, begins a campaign, "Rabbits and Easter Don't Mix", to educate consumers on the impact of purchasing a bunny as an Easter present.

The Society's website (http://www.rabbit.org), with hosting donated by Hurricane Electric, a leading Technical Service Provider, under their community outreach program, sees traffic spike every year in the weeks prior to and after Easter, generating an average of 3 million hits a month.

"Our organization couldn't function without our website," said Paige Parsons, The Society's spokeswoman. "We are so happy to have space at Hurricane Electric. The site gives us so much more exposure."

The website, which has generated an abundance of concerned volunteers and contributions from 23 different states, allowed The Society to open a new Rabbit Center in Richmond, CA last November and increase their membership to 7000 strong.

Since the inauguration of the Rabbit Center, the "Adopt a Rabbit" campaign has placed over 40 abandoned rabbits in foster homes with the means to spend the $3000 a year it takes to properly care for a rabbit.

But, according to Margo DeMello, national education director for The House Rabbit Society, there are hundreds of rabbits that still need help, especially around Easter.

"Many rabbits are euthanized because there aren't enough homes for them," she said. "Most of the rabbits purchased around Easter will never live to see their first birthday. Many will die from neglect, while others will be released into local parks or left at animal shelters."

The number of rabbits brought into the Rabbit Center shortly after Easter is staggering, said Donna Jensen, director of The Society's San Francisco Chapter. "When the novelty wears off and children stop playing with the bunnies, they are brought to the shelter," according to Jenson, adding, "there simply isn't enough space for them."

Jensen said the website, which is the center of the national organization, educates parents on the responsibilities related to rabbits along with letting them sign up for a monthly newsletter or read archives in case they do decide to buy a pet rabbit.

"Hopefully this Easter, less rabbits will be bought and abandoned due to our global education through the website," Parsons said.

The House Rabbit Society is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing abandoned rabbits and placing them in secure, permanent homes. The society also educates the public on proper rabbit care and assists the local humane societies with teaching courses.