With Easter just a hop, skip and a jump away the Quebec government is reminding you that live animals aren't always the best gift ideas.
The Ministry of Agriculture is advising Quebecers not give in to the allure of the cute animals, saying they have many needs and require lots of work from a responsible pet owner.
"Easter only lasts 24 hours, but animals live a long time and become big very quickly!" the Ministry said in a statement. "A rabbit can live about 10 years."
Each year animal shelters see a flood of bunnies, chicks and ducklings in the weeks following the holiday.
The Montreal SPCA has said it cares for about 250 rabbits each year, many of them are abandoned after Easter.
Not only did Ministry officials reiterate its concern for the welfare of the animals but also warned about the health risks that the cute little animals can cause for some people, including a bacteria that can lead to gastroenteritis.