While most stores in the Lakes Region are brimming with chocolate bunnies in preparation for Easter, one South Windham store was filled with the furry kind last Saturday.

The Blue Seal Feeds & Needs store on Route 202 held its second-annual “Bunny Pageant” on the afternoon of March 31, pulling 22 rabbits into the store.

“That’s a lot of bunnies,” said Assistant Manager Jess Smith. She said the rabbits are judged on their demeanor, appearance and costuming.

“We look to see a well cared-for rabbit,” she said.

Andrea and Chip Krasker-Gavin of Portland entered their rabbit Bella, which translates to “beautiful” in Italian.

“I wanted to have something small, furry and cute,” Andrea Krasker-Gavin said. Her husband is allergic to cats so they spent two hours in the bunny barn at the 2005 Fryeburg Fair to find out whether rabbits set off his allergies.

They said Bella likes to chew on carrots, pea pods, basil, beet greens and electrical wires. Out of concern for their little grey companion and their appliances, Bella is caged when they aren’t home.

Morgan Murray, 8, of Gray said she first got interested in rabbits when she went to a pet store to get some fish and saw her entry, Scamper. She said Scamper isn’t as exciting as a cat, but has its own charm.

“It’s cute to watch her play. She’ll do flips in the air,” she said.

Jandra Madden, 13, of Harrison, brought her 7-week-old bunny, Millie, in a flower costume she made from a few craft-store items and a Barbie skirt. She said her younger sister got a rabbit first.

“I decided I was taking her rabbit too much so I got one of my own,” she said.

Kristin Kellermann and Jenn Russel, both 24 and from Windham, brought their 3-year-old rabbit, Zoe. Kellermann said she had rabbits when she was a kid.

“They’re complex creatures, though they’re simple in a way too,” she said.

They got Zoe from the Animal Refuge League in Westbrook. “I just fell in love with her when I met her,” Russel said. “I just wanted to bring her home.”

“We go there for all our pets. We have two cats,” said Kellermann.

The Animal Refuge League is involved in a campaign to inform people about the large commitment that goes with owning a rabbit, which have a life span of 10 to 12 years. The campaign said chocolate bunnies make better Easter gifts than real ones.

Bunnies01 Wearing a tiara of beaded pipe cleaners, 22-month old Bella sits on the shoulder of owner Andrea Krasker-Gavin of Portland. Krasker-Gavin said her husband Chip is allergic to cats and “I wanted to have something furry, small and cute.”Bunnies02 Liam Kucsma, 5 of Springvale holds his rabbit, White, that he got from the Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk.Bunnies03 Kristin Kellermann, 24 holds the leash of Zoe, 3 1/2, while Jenn Russel, 24 brushes her. All three live in Windham.Bunnies04 & Bunnies05 Zoe enjoys a soothing brush massage from Jenn Russel, 24, of Windham. “I just fell in love with her when I met her,” Russel said of when she encountered Zoe at the Animal Refuge League in Westbrook.Bunnies04 & Bunnies05 Zoe enjoys a soothing brush massage from Jenn Russel, 24, of Windham. “I just fell in love with her when I met her,” Russel said of when she encountered Zoe at the Animal Refuge League in Westbrook.Bunnies06 & Bunnies07 Blackie and Bo arrived at the Bunny Pageant in an enclosed John Deere wagon. Bunnies06 & Bunnies07 Blackie and Bo arrived at the Bunny Pageant in an enclosed John Deere wagon. Bunnies08 & Bunnies09 Scamper Morgan Murray, 8, of Gray uses a leash to keep her rabbit Scamper from hopping away.Bunnies08 & Bunnies09 Scamper Morgan Murray, 8, of Gray uses a leash to keep her rabbit Scamper from hopping away.Bunnies10 & Bunnies11 From left: Quiksilver and Scamper await the results of the Bunny Pageant at the Blue Seal feed store in Windham on Saturday.Bunnies10 & Bunnies11 From left: Quiksilver and Scamper await the results of the Bunny Pageant at the Blue Seal feed store in Windham on Saturday.Bunnies12 & Bunnies13 Seven-week old Millie, shown here wearing a decorative flower outfit, received the title of princess for her place in the top 4 of the Bunny Pageant at the Blue Seal feed store in Windham on Saturday. A total of 22 rabbits entered.Bunnies12 & Bunnies13 Seven-week old Millie, shown here wearing a decorative flower outfit, received the title of princess for her place in the top 4 of the Bunny Pageant at the Blue Seal feed store in Windham on Saturday. A total of 22 rabbits entered.