Every year huge numbers of adorable baby rabbits go to new homes for Easter, along with chicks and ducklings by the thousands. And that's bad news for the vast majority of these babies.

Most of these traditional Easter pets will be gifts for children, impulse purchases made with little thought given to the needs of the animals. No pet purchase is more likely to end tragically than one that's based on nothing more than cuteness.

Many of the chicks and ducklings will die within a few days or weeks, killed by neglect, improper care or unintentional mishandling by children. Those birds who do make it to adulthood are often turned loose to fend for themselves, once parents realize how unsuitable these farm animals are as urban and suburban pets.

Rabbits, on the other hand, can be wonderful pets, but only for those people who are prepared to care for them properly. Although it comes as a surprise to most people, rabbits are not well-suited to life as a children's pet, at least not for young children and never without adult supervision. Too many rabbits die from injuries caused by children who drop them or hold them in a way that can injure their backs, without the firm support they need for their lower bodies and hind legs.

And like other pets bought on impulse, a great many rabbits end up turned loose or dumped on shelters after the novelty wears off.

If you're tempted by the idea of a chick or duckling (picturing your child in Easter best holding a fluffy baby), please pay attention to the following words: Get over it. Unless you have rural property, you should not entertain the idea of buying a such a pet.

What about a rabbit? Now here's a possibility, and you'll never find more of them about than at this time of year. But again, you need to make the decision based not on impulse or on how much fun you think it would be to have a baby rabbit. You must consider the larger issues: Is your child ready for a pet? Do you have the time to show your child how to properly care for one and see that the chores involved are done whether or not the child wants to do them? Will you spend the money for housing, food and veterinary care? Are you willing to show your child how to handle a rabbit? Are you willing to ensure that it's done properly so the animal isn't injured? Finally, are you prepared to keep a full-grown rabbit for the rest of the animal's natural life?

If you cannot honestly see beyond the cries of delight on the day your child and baby bunny meet, do not bring home a rabbit. Buy a stuffed animal instead. One of these can take abuse and neglect with no problem more serious than an occasional ripped seam or detached shoe-button nose. They cannot feel pain, and they will not end up in a shelter.

In the short run, passing on a pet that will not hold your family's interest is important to the welfare of a single animal -- the one you would have bought. In the long run, teaching your child that animals are not to be picked up on a whim and discarded just as lightly is important to the welfare of all animals. Perhaps even more essential: Making sure children grow up learning to care about other living things is important to the welfare of us all.

One of my favorite sayings applies here: Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as important to the child as it is to the caterpillar. The lessons of compassion and respect for all life could not be more appropriate than during this holiday season. Don't bungle your chance to make an important contribution to your child's education with the impulse purchase of a pet you will not cherish for life.

PETS ON THE WEB

The House Rabbit Society (www.rabbit.org) is the absolute best site on the Web for anyone looking for information on caring for these sweet-natured pets. Before the HRS, most of the information that was out there was of the 4-H variety -- from people who were raising rabbits for meat.

Thanks are due to the House Rabbit Society's members for helping others to realize the pet potential in these long-overlooked animals. The society's Web site offers information on everything from housing to nutrition to finding a bun-friendly veterinarian. If you have a rabbit or are thinking of getting one, you must do your research at this site first.

THE SCOOP

My dogs love to ride in the car! I don't know if it's the promise of adventure at the end of the road, or all those fine, fresh smells coming in through the windows, but even the senior canine resident will do a little bunny hop at the magic words, "Wanna go for a ride?"

If you plan to leave your dog in the car while you run errands, though, you'd better start disappointing your pet. That's because now is the time of year when it's getting too warm to leave your dog in a car.

Most people realize it's not safe to leave a dog in the car on a hot summer day, but fewer know that even a pleasant spring afternoon can be deadly. A car is like a greenhouse with all those windows, and heat can build up to lethal levels in a matter of minutes -- even when the temperature isn't all that high, even when the windows are cracked a little. Dogs aren't very efficient at lowering their internal temperature (panting is about the only mechanism they have), and they can quickly become overheated, or worse. Yes, it's fun to take your dog along, but play it safe and leave him home on warm, sunny days.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: I read your article about crate-training a puppy. Would this work for an older dog? About five months ago we adopted a 4-year-old bichon frise because the owners were ill and had moved into long-term care. He is an intelligent and delightful dog to have, except that every week or two he defecates on the family room floor not far from the patio door. He knows that he has done wrong. The following morning, he refuses to come out from under the bed. Can you suggest a solution? -- F.M., via e-mail

A: Your dog does not know that he has done wrong. He's aware only that you're angry with him for some reason, and he'd better hide until the storm passes. Dogs don't understand cause-and-effect. Your pet doesn't think "I'll be in such trouble for doing this" while he's making the mess.

To train him, you must make it possible for him to make only good decisions by limiting his freedom and by praising him for getting it right. And yes, a crate is part of the solution.

Before you start insisting that your pet "hold it" for long periods of time (while you're at work or through the night), make sure he's physically capable of doing so. The first rule of solving any behavior problem is to make sure it's not a medical problem. That means a trip to your veterinarian to ensure your pet hasn't any illness that's making house-training difficult.

Once your dog has the veterinarian's clearance, bring some structure into his life. If you're free-feeding, stop immediately and change to two meals a day, morning and evening. Because canned food has a high water content, feed him only a high-quality kibble, which produces a smaller, less runny stool. Offer water freely during the day, but pick it up a couple of hours before bedtime.

Make sure you offer your pet regular opportunities to relieve himself, and don't just throw him outside. Go out with him every time, give him a command word -- I use "hurry up" with my dogs -- and then praise him to the stars when he goes. You want him to start making a positive connection for this behavior, with praise for a job well done.

Take him out one last time just before bed and crate him for the night. (Put the crate next to your bed so he's comforted by your company.) You didn't say you were having problems during the day, but if you are, never leave him unattended and out of sight in the house. He should either be crated, or be leashed to you so you can spot an accident at the first squat. If he starts to create a mess, interrupt him with a sharp "no" or hand clap. Then hustle outside with him and give your command word. Don't forget the praise when he finishes up outdoors.

After a few weeks of diligent adherence to monitoring your pet, you can start experimenting with giving him more freedom. It may be, though, that your pet will be better off crated at night for the rest of his life. This is not punishment: Dogs come to enjoy the security of their crates, and often will go into them voluntarily when it's time for a nap.

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies," "Cats for Dummies" and "Birds for Dummies." She is also affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or send e-mail to writetogina(at)spadafori.com.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600

The woman in the Target store stared at me as slyly as she could, trying to figure out what it was I found so upsetting about an aisle of brightly colored plastic dishes.

In truth, I wasn't at all conscious of the merchandise. My tears were wholly related to five words I'd heard at the veterinary hospital not half an hour earlier, as my beloved old Sheltie yawned with boredom on the cool steel table, our veterinarian's face a study in concentration above the dog.

"I hear a heart murmur," the man had said.

As I struggled to focus on the shockingly red tumblers on the shelves before me, I became aware that my private worries were a little more public than I'd wanted. I managed a smile for the woman who'd been watching me.

"Allergies," I snuffled, wiping away the last tear and blowing my nose with what I hoped was a convincing honk. The woman sidled away as quickly as one can and still appear polite.

I gave up all thoughts of shopping and headed back to the hospital, where I'd left Andy with the veterinary cardiologist we'd been lucky enough to find on duty. "Let's let her check him out thoroughly, as long as she's here," our veterinarian had said, and I agreed quickly. I wanted to know exactly what was wrong and how bad it was.

Still, I'd used the trip to the store as an excuse to leave while they X-rayed Andy. I could feel the rising tide of tears as I fought to keep from imagining the worst possible ending, and I wanted to deal with it alone.

The appointment shouldn't have gone this way, I'd told our vet lightheartedly before I'd left, the humor a veneer over the panic I felt. I'd scheduled a "well-dog checkup," I told him firmly, and, by God, I intended to leave with just such a dog. I'd brought Andy in so our veterinarian could admire his dense, glistening coat and his beautiful teeth. I expected him to notice that my oldest dog was still alert, well-mannered and playful. "I can't believe Andy is 14!" I wanted him to say. "I rarely see a dog his age in such good health."

Instead, not one but two veterinarians had pressed their stethoscopes to Andy's chest, discussing the newfound leak in his loyal old heart -- where it was, how bad it was, what it meant.

As I sat in the reception area with Andy, waiting for the X-ray, I knew -- absolutely knew -- that it would show an enlarged heart with fluid around it. How much time was left for my sweet pup? A few months? A few weeks? I twisted Andy's long silver hair in the fingers of one hand, digging my nails painfully into the palm of the other. "No more crying. No more crying. No more crying," I told myself silently. I knew he'd had a good long run. If his time was near, so be it.

The specialist said my name twice before I finally looked up. She held the X-ray so the late-afternoon sun lighted the image. Pointing out Andy's heart, she swept her pen over a clear area around it -- no enlargement, no fluid, no tumors.

"These heart murmurs, they turn up in older dogs," she said. "His is mild, and it's nothing to worry about. We'll keep an eye on it, OK?"

I smiled and nodded, and she smiled back. "You weren't worried, were you?" she asked.

"Maybe a little," I admitted.

"I rarely see a dog his age in such good health," she said as she slipped through the door to the back.

PETS ON THE WEB

The Latham Foundation (www.latham.org) promotes humane education, including projects that involve animal-assisted therapy and celebrate the human-animal bond. Though their sponsorship, some wonderful videos have been produced that are well worth viewing by anyone who cares about animals and children. Recent work of the foundation focuses on breaking the well-documented link between abuse of animals by children and violent behavior later in life.

An especially interesting part of the site: Humane education posters from the late '40s, the result of a contest sponsored by the foundation. Clearly, this was a group ahead of its time. (The Latham Foundation can also be reached by writing to 1826 Clement Ave., Alameda, CA 95401; or by calling (510) 521-0920.)

THE SCOOP

Cats are highly territorial, which sometimes causes problems in multi-cat households. Every cat needs some space of his own to be happy, and one of the best ways to provide each of your pets with room to roam is to think "up."

Cats naturally adore looking down at others, and by giving your pets plenty of room up above to move about, you're giving each cat some room of his own. Tall furniture with flat tops -- such as bookcases or entertainment centers -- are ideal, as long as you leave room enough for your cats to play among the decorations. Even better: Invest in tall cat trees, especially those with platforms at the top and cubbyholes for hiding. Your cats will love them.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: We have four cats, and recently one or more of them has stopped using the litter box. Do you have any suggestions for how we can figure out which one? We need to get to the bottom of this messy problem. -- C.S., via e-mail

A: Even in the most harmonious of households a cat can stop using the litter box. Remember that it's not always about misbehavior: Sometimes a cat is sick. But which cat? In a multi-cat household, it can be very difficult to track down the culprit.

You can try to isolate the cat with problems by mixing blue or green food coloring with canned food and offering it to one cat at a time. You'll be able to tell which feces came from the "marked" cat because the food coloring will pass right through and stay on the mess.

Urine is a little harder to figure out, but your veterinarian should be able to help, or refer you to a veterinary behaviorist who can. You'll be prescribed fluorescent dye to give to your pet and a black light for revealing the dye in the urine.

Once you've determined which cat is the source of the problem, you'll need to work with your veterinarian to be sure the problem isn't health-related. Litter-box problems can be challenging to resolve, especially in a household with more than one cat. But you won't have any chance of getting past those problems until you're certain you're working with a healthy cat.

Q: We lost our cockatiel, Pansy, a year or so after her 12th birthday. We weren't sure we wanted another bird. But we finally decided that we did, and now we have a peach-faced lovebird. We read in your book that birds don't need grit, but we always gave it to Pansy. And it's still being sold (and recommended) at the pet store where we got our new bird. What's the story? -- T.E., via e-mail

A: In the last decade or so, our knowledge of what it takes to keep pet birds healthy has changed dramatically, and some sources haven't kept up with the latest information. Grit (which is finely ground rock) was thought to help birds grind their food, but it's no longer recommended for most birds by avian experts such as my "Birds for Dummies" co-author, Dr. Brian L. Speer, a board-certified avian specialist and past president of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV).

Indeed, grit is now thought to have a negative impact on bird health, removing vitamins A, B and K from the digestive system. And grit occasionally leads to a potentially life-threatening problem, when the amount of the stuff in the bird blocks the digestive system.

Still, some birds can make use of a small amount of grit. Canaries and other finches should be allowed a couple of grains every couple of months. Other birds, from budgies, cockatiels and lovebirds on up, don't need grit at all and shouldn't be offered it.

I find that misinformation is more commonplace for birds than for any other pet. And it's everywhere -- from bird clubs to pet shops to the Internet and even some general-practice veterinarians. The best advice I have for anyone who wants the latest and best bird-care information is: Find a veterinarian who's a board-certified avian specialist, or find one who takes the extra time to stay current on avian care. You can find such a veterinarian through the AAV either online at www.aav.org, or by calling (561) 393-8901.

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies," "Cats for Dummies" and "Birds for Dummies." She is also affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or send e-mail to writetogina(at)spadafori.com.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600

At some point in the fight to get people to spay and neuter their pets -- a worthy cause for which I've fought all of my adult life -- it became highly suspect to admit that one finds pleasure in the company of puppies.

One cannot admit to, say, a fondness for the round, plump belly of a healthy puppy (so perfect for kissing) or the sweetness of the breath that comes from puppy muzzles (so perfect for kissing) or the inherent clumsiness of oversize puppy paws (so perfect for ... oh, you get the picture). To do so seems to contradict a belief that most puppies should have never been born.

Is it possible to care about the welfare of dogs and adore being with puppies? For ardent animal activists, a litter of puppies seems a tragedy, a sign of past failures and future calamity.

Puppies mock them, because they make those who fight for pet overpopulation realize that despite all of their efforts, there are still dog owners who should have known to send Mom Dog and Dad Dog in for the surgical snip long before puppies happened -- but didn't. As for the puppies themselves, each has the potential to steal a home from an unwanted dog in a shelter, or to become unwanted himself. All of which makes it hard sometimes to appreciate the pleasure of spending time with puppies.

I am 95 percent in agreement with the belief that all dogs and cats should be spayed or neutered. It's certainly true that the overwhelming majority of pets who are born shouldn't be. They're the result of carelessness, cluelessness or just plain greed. It's not just a problem with mixed breeds, either. Purebreds are born every day who shouldn't be, and in some places the numbers of unwanted purebreds in shelters runs as high as one in four. Yesterday's fad breed becomes today's shelter headache faster than you can say "102 Dalmatians."

And let's not forget that altered animals are healthier and make calmer, safer pets with fewer behavior problems.

But as firmly as I believe that spaying and neutering is the way to go for almost all pets, I also believe there's a place for responsible breeders, for those who cherish the dozens of canine types we have developed over time. These people are not in it for any reason except a love of their breed and a desire to improve and preserve a distinct canine heritage. They breed healthy, emotionally sound dogs who exemplify the best traits of a breed.

I don't want to see a time when all we have is a generic dog, a medium-size, medium-coated dog similar to the wild type you can still find roaming in undeveloped countries. I cherish the differences: the large and the small, the curly-coated and the hairless, the brilliant and the not-so. Reputable breeders produce a small number of animals, and they remain responsible for them forever. These breeders are not the problem.

Not too long ago I spent a week in the company of a friend's five extremely well-bred puppies. I could tell you that I thought of all this then, but I would be lying. I was just glad to see the puppies.

Yes, my friend is the kind of person who should be a breeder: Her dogs are healthy, temperamentally sound, and exquisite examples of their breed. But the truth is, I thought of little of that as I watched and played with the puppies, held them, kissed them, and thought of slipping at least one of them into my backpack when at last I had to head for home. (I didn't.)

Political arguments over animal issues escape me in the company of puppies, although they are always with me otherwise. If there is any better way to spend a few days than with puppies, I do not know it. And the fact that the treat is an extremely rare one seems as it should be.

PETS ON THE WEB

The Siamese is probably the most recognizable of all breeds of cat, a popular animal known for high energy and a gregarious, chatty personality. The Siamese Internet Cat Club Web site (www.meezer.com) celebrates this historic breed. The site is well-designed (love the dancing paws!) and easy to navigate, with plenty of information for anyone looking to find out more about these handsome cats. Electronic postcards, cat stories and pictures round out the offering.

THE SCOOP

Looking for a special treat for your parrot? It's easy to adjust everyday recipes to make them more bird-friendly. French toast, for example, can be sprinkled with hulled seeds just after you drench the bread in egg, and then cooked as usual and offered to your bird without the butter and syrup. You can also make a rice-and-veggie treat by cooking brown rice, and then adding fresh vegetables and chopped hard-boiled eggs. Healthy people food is good for birds, too.

Pasta, cottage cheese, fruits and vegetables will all help to keep your bird healthy, but remember that avian veterinarians now recommend that the basis of a sound diet be one of the pelleted diets now available for your bird. If you have any questions regarding proper nutrition for your pet, talk to your veterinarian.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK

Q: Thanks for your wonderful article on poodles. Can you explain why standard poodles are classified as nonworking by the American Kennel Club? There isn't anything they can't learn, and nothing they won't do for the ones they love.

My Ivy was the best upland bird retriever I ever had and was also a good stock dog. One time at a gathering, the cowboys snickered when they saw me coming with a poodle. But after they saw her work, it sure changed their minds.

After all was done, all the little hyperactive stock dogs were sent back to the barn or to the pickups, but Ivy was invited to the campfire where she entertained all with real standard poodle class. -- B.G., via e-mail

A: The American Kennel Club puts miniature and standard poodles into the nonsporting (not nonworking) group, with toy poodles going into the toy group. The nonsporting group is sort of a catch-all, and dates back to the time when there were only two groups -- sporting and nonsporting. Over the years the classifications have changed, and now the AKC puts dogs into one of seven groups -- sporting, hound, terrier, toy, working, nonsporting and herding. The herding group was the last to be created and was broken out of the working group a few years back.

Some poodles do hunt, but probably not enough to convince anyone that the breed belongs in the sporting group. Herding poodles like your Ivy are even more rare. I guess it really doesn't matter what group they're in, as long as people appreciate them for the fine dogs they are.

You're right that poodles are extremely versatile, easy to train and they love to work. I did get one letter from someone in Minnesota, though, who pointed out that the breed is not well-suited to work as a sled dog. Their curly coats just don't offer them the protection they need in frigid conditions.

Q: I recently adopted an 8-year-old cat by the name of Molly. She has joined my two dogs and my three-legged cat named Lilly, and they are adjusting very well.

Molly is a hearty eater, and since I occasionally give Lilly a few tablespoons of milk (nonfat), I did the same with Molly. The problem is: She seems addicted. Every time I go into the kitchen, she comes in and starts demanding some milk (she is a big talker). She'll even turn up her nose at the cat food when she wants milk.

I am reluctant to give Molly more than more than two servings a day of milk (four to five tablespoons total), since I am not sure if it might hurt her health. I'd really appreciate any advice you might have on this. -- G.H., via e-mail

A: No adult cat needs milk to survive, and some cats, like some humans, cannot handle milk without ending up with diarrhea. For those cats who can handle milk and like it, it's a fine treat and good source of protein.

If Molly isn't experiencing any stomach distress, then it's perfectly safe to give her milk as a treat. Feel free to indulge her just as you have been.

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies," "Cats for Dummies" and "Birds for Dummies." She is also affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or send e-mail to writetogina(at)spadafori.com.

4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600