TylerAnn Townsend with her daughter, Hallie, and rabbit Jerry Lee. Townsend wrote and illustrated the children’s book “The Easter Bunny Rejects” to raise awareness of the abandonment of rabbits given as pets during Easter. She will hold a book signing noon-2 p.m. April 2 at J&M’s Book Store in Parkersburg. (Photo Provided)

BELLEVILLE — A Belleville woman wrote a children’s book to raise awareness of the plight of rabbits given as pets for Easter, only to be tossed aside when the novelty wanes.

TylerAnn Townsend, 28, said she was inspired to write “The Easter Bunny Rejects” by her pet rabbit, Jerry Lee, that she adopted from the Humane Society of Parkersburg 10 years ago.

“He’ll be 11 this year,” she said.

Always a soft spot in her heart for small animals like rabbits, humane shelters see an increase in bunny rabbits after Easter, Townsend said. The rabbits end up at shelters when the novelty as pets wear off, she said.

“Most of the time that doesn’t work out well for the rabbit,” she said.

Tame rabbits are dropped off or abandoned at humane shelters and rural areas, Townsend said. While they are cared for in the shelters, rabbits are easily scared by the barking dogs, she said.

Her work is appreciated by the HSOP, according to board president Gary McIntyre.

“TylerAnne is a great foster for us with rabbits and small dogs,” McIntyre said.

She gives rabbits a home in her basement and waits for when someone will adopt one.

“I call them my Easter bunny rejects,” Townsend said.

The cover of “The Easter Bunny Rejects” written and illustrated by TylerAnn Townsend of Belleville. (Photo Provided)

Townsend has fostered and found homes for 56 rabbits and 34 guinea pigs since 2016.

“And that’s not even all of them that come to the shelter,” Townsend said.

Fifty-two rabbits were surrendered last year and 41 were after Easter at the shelter, McIntyre said.

“I cannot guarantee there is a direct correlation, but I do believe there is,” he said.

Townsend, who works for the Bureau of Fiscal Service, keeps the rabbits in cages in her basement. Husband, Kyle, was aware of her affinity for small animals before they were married, she said.

A page from “The Easter Bunny Rejects” by TylerAnn Townsend of Belleville. She wrote and illustrated the children’s book. (Photo Provided)

“He kind of knew what he was getting into,” Townsend said.

She also has six Guinea pigs, four of which may be pregnant, one for sure.

“I’m kind of like a maternity ward,” Townsend said.

“The Easter Bunny Rejects” was written and illustrated by Townsend, who has a degree in elementary education from West Virginia University at Parkersburg. It was published through Amazon where it is available for $12.99, $4.99 for Kindle.

The book was written to raise awareness of the problem, Townsend said.

A page from “The Easter Bunny Rejects” by TylerAnn Townsend of Belleville. She wrote and illustrated the children’s book. (Photo Provided)

“The Easter Bunny Rejects” chronicles the story of a rabbit from abandonment to adoption.

“Every spring thousands of bunnies become Easter Bunny Rejects as they are surrendered to animal shelters for various reasons,” the book says. “Follow along the story of one little bunny as he journeys from a colorful basket to his forever home.”

Townsend will have a book signing from noon to 2 p.m. April 2 at J&M’s Book Store in Parkersburg where the book is on sale. In addition to Amazon and J&M’s, “The Easter Bunny Rejects” also is available at Back to Basics Log Cabin in Belpre and Ritchie Community Pharmacy in Harrisville.

Jess Mancini is available at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.