What do rabbits eat? Easter eggs!

Harley Scott and the other children at his daycare centre can be forgiven for thinking the Easter Bunny paid them two visits this year.

An SPCA rabbit, known as Smudge, made a visit to ABC Early Learning Centre yesterday along with Shay the dog and SPCA inspector Charlotte Sayer, who spoke to the children about caring for an animal and where to go for help for a sick animal.

ABC centre manager Marilyn McRae said the children had been learning about animals this week and seemed very interested in them.

"They have been really interested and are always playing with the plastic animals we have," she said.

As a result of their sparked interest, a dog trainer has been in with a dog to talk about safety around dogs, they have dressed up as animals for a day, and had their faces painted to look like animals.

It was the SPCA's turn yesterday.

"We thought it would be good to do a bit more around animals ... they've been learning how to be safe around dogs and how to care for an animal, and what they need like water and food, as well as general knowledge. It's been absolutely good for them," she said.

Mrs McRae said they hoped to get a couple of guinea pigs for the children to look after.

The 30 children knew exactly what to say when Ms Sayer asked them about an animal's needs.

In unison they all replied "lots of love, water and food".

"They needs lots of love," she said to the children.

She also told them about the importance of having a safe and warm place for an animal to sleep and who to go to for help if the animal got sick.

Harley Scott, 4, was very taken with the rabbit. "He's so cute," he told The Daily Post.

When asked what rabbits ate, the children said "Easter eggs".

Parents have been asked to help the SPCA by taking along old blankets and food for the animals over the next few weeks. Tomorrow, the children will bring their own pets for a pet show day.