THE TRADITION of buying bunnies for kids at Easter has thankfully slacked off as animal experts have spoken out against it.

The problem was always that the cute little bunnies became big rabbits, the kids got bored with them and Mom and Dad got sick of caring for them.

The Wildlife Center of Virginia, a favorite column topic, has a program that can give youngsters and families a personal bunny connection without those problems.

It doesn't hurt that it also provides some tasty chocolate from a supplier in King George County whose treats will be sampled across the country.

The program is called Caring for Bunnies, and it fills a need whether you're interested in celebrating Easter, spring or the whole Year of the Rabbit.

It's simple: For $25 for six months or $50 for a year, you can sponsor one of the several hundred Eastern cottontails--299 last year--the center near Waynesboro receives each spring.

Randy Huwa, executive vice president of the center, said the rabbits they treat are often young ones that need care for three to four weeks.

He added that the rabbits are the most numerous mammal species admitted to the center, and require quite a bit of care because they don't do well in captivity.

He noted that each Caring for Bunnies sponsor receives a packet that includes:

A photo of a rabbit patient

A personalized certificate of sponsorship

Detailed information about Eastern cottontails, including the care they receive at the Wildlife Center, their natural history and some tips on how you can help rabbits

Periodic email updates about some of the center's 2011 rabbit patients.

What about the chocolate?

Ahhh, that comes in the Deluxe Caring for Bunnies plan, which includes the above as well as four chocolate-covered Easter cookies from Mary's Cakery and Candy Kitchen in King George and a palm-sized rabbit finger puppet from Folkmanis.

The deluxe package is $35 for six months, $60 for a year.

Huwa said the funds raised by the program will go for food, medical treatment and staff time to care for the bunnies.

He said the King George chocolatier was chosen because it's a Virginia business and its chocolate treats won in an informal taste test conducted by center staff.

"It's just good stuff," said Huwa.

Rob Hedelt: 540/374-5415
Email: rhedelt@freelancestar.com