Saint John pet store owners say rabbits are no longer breeding like rabbits. Supply is down this spring, they say, and — even with Easter approaching — demand is low. 

Rob Dobbin, who owns Village Pets in Saint John, says rabbit breeders are usually calling him around this time of year, but it seems the baby bunnies aren't ready.

"We had a warm fall, and for whatever reason, the rabbits went into hibernation at a different time," Dobbin said. "They're not having babies early this year, or so it seems."

Dobbin says this Easter bunny shortage won't really hurt his business  anyway, because most people want lower maintenance pets like guinea pigs, which he says are also more interactive.

"That's another party of why people enjoy them so much more," Dobbin said. "They'll respond to a child feeding them. It's a wonderful animal as opposed to a rabbit that just hops around your house and chews on your computer cords."

Lisa Boucher of the Pet Corral says she's seeing the same kind of trend at her store. She says she's only had a handful of requests for rabbits over the past year.

"Once people find out what kind of care they need, it might be more than what they bargained for," Boucher said.