Any Rabbit advice ?

johnson293

Well, these rabbits are family pets rather than pets just for our son to look after, as we understand he isn't old enough (almost 6) for the responsibility of looking after a pet himself yet - we will be the prime carers for the rabbits.

While I understand you are speaking from experience, and there are children who don't know better and/or can be quite cruel to animals, there are also adults who treats animals as badly, but also children who will be kind to and understand how to treat animals - so I feel it's a bit unfair to say that children shouldn't be around small(er) animals.

amy104

Sassygirl was the vet sure that it was the drop that resulted in your buns problems, I only ask as headtilt can be caused by EC? If she's had it a long time the neurological damage is probably too advanced to be fixed completely but you may benefit from worming her especially if she ever comes into contact with other buns.

Emzycal I think you are a little hasty in your comments. Granted the full responsibily for caregiving should belong to the adult, which johnson293 has already said they are, but there is no reason why the child can not be involved. You just have to use a bit of common sense and supervise the child. I am sorry for the loss of your hamster but I think some of the blame for that should lie with you.

johnson293 goodluck with the buns. I'm sure your do fab with them.

Emzycal

johnson293 wrote: »

Well, these rabbits are family pets rather than pets just for our son to look after, as we understand he isn't old enough (almost 6) for the responsibility of looking after a pet himself yet - we will be the prime carers for the rabbits.

While I understand you are speaking from experience, and there are children who don't know better and/or can be quite cruel to animals, there are also adults who treats animals as badly, but also children who will be kind to and understand how to treat animals - so I feel it's a bit unfair to say that children shouldn't be around small(er) animals.

I hope I didn't cause offence,and I honestly did not mean that comment towards you/your children specifically,rather as a general comment from experience and sense.
I just don't see the validity of putting an animal at risk of injury or suchlike for the amusement of a child.

I hope you buns settle in and become well loved members of the family,as they are lovely animals.

homeworkgirl

Yes I would recommend that rabbit forum also. I am a member and have found it invaluable since I got my 4 buns. I have one bonded spayed m/f pair aged 3 and one single spayed female aged 5 who lost her brother a few weeks back.

I am glad you have found a suitable hutch/run. Unfortunately I cannot at present get another bun for my lone female from a rescue as my hutches are only 5ft and have a 6ft x 4ft x 2ft seperate run.....rescues also don't home to you if you have a seperate run I found.....although we purposely chose this because we like to handle our bunnies a lot and we spend a lot of time petting them to and from the run. They also have free run of the garden sometimes. When I can afford it I will get bigger hutches but not sure on the combined run as we really would miss the handling of the bunnies we get now. My neighbour has a combined run and finds it very difficult to get hold of her bunnies to pet them. Ours are so much tamer and friendlier because they have had so much petting since they were very young. We really do want to get another mate for Merry though especially now the cold weather is coming in....it's lovely whe you see a pair snuggled up together.

Good luck with your bunnies....you sound a very caring and responsible owner. Hope to see you at rabbit rehome sometime.

clutterydrawer

homeworkgirl - it depends on the rescue. I have rehomed six rabbits from rescues now and I have only ever had separate runs so it might be worth asking around

johnson293 - congrats, they are gorgeous bunnies and I'm sure they are at no risk of injury from your son spending supervised time with them. It's nice that he will grow up knowing that animals should be loved and valued

joyfull

I discovered a few months ago that a neighbour keeps a rabbit 24/7 in a wire cage (approx 3 feet square) sitting on concrete in the open air with some tarpauline held on the roof by a couple of bricks. The tarp leaves about an 8 inch gap from the concrete allowing wind & rain to blow in. NO bedding at all. A water bottle fixed to the side & dry food put into a bowl. I think it gets hosed down about once a week. Thats it.
About 3 months ago I called RSPCA who investigated & also promised me they would let me know the outcome. They didn't. Nothing changed. I called RSPCA again. As far as I know - no further visit. Nothing has changed. I have called a 3rd time a week ago.

This poor creature spends all year in these conditions, how it survives the winter is beyond me.

Firstly, does anyone know how the RSPCA works?
Each time I've phoned it's been treated as a 'new' call - they are either unable or unwilling to give feedback about the 'investigation'. Is this normal RSPCAm procedure?
Why do they not phone me back as promised?
Should they have paid a follow up visit (assuming they found these conditions unacceptable)?
I feel I'm banging my head against a brick wall.

I'm truly distressed by this situation. I love & keep rabbits & know what they need for a happy life. I have gone over & over in my head how to alleviate this bunny's suffering. I live in a close knit community & run a business. Both the rabbit owners & all our neighbours are customers of mine & I cannot put my livelihood at risk by having it out with them (plus I'm certain they wouldn't change a thing). It has even occurred to me to try & just take (steal!) it to care for it. Madness I know, & I wouldn't actually do it.

Any thoughts anyone?

neneromanova

I would take the rabbit! I know it's stealing, but if I knew I could hide it and care for it correctly then I wouldn't hesitate.

The RSPCA are useless. I absolutely hate them after hearing the put 10 GSD's down with a bolt gun. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/6115690/RSPCA-puts-down-10-German-Shepherds-with-bolt-gun.html

http://www.germanshepherdrescue.co.uk/our-dogs-gsds-shot-by-rspca.html

It's just discusting the way they act nowadays. They need to look seriously at their rules and change them as they can't intervene if there is signs of food and water on offer.

But yeah, rant over and back on topic, Take the rabbit or take pictures to prove your point to the RSPCA. Is there not a center that you can go to to take the pictures and make yourself heard?

thorsoak

Call the RSPCA and tell them that you are calling the local paper about the disgusting conditions that the rabbit is kept in - and that you have sent photos to the local paper... bet they'll be around soon enough then!

isualive

That poor rabbit. To be honest I would kidnap the rabbit, if it was easy enough to gain access etc. What an awful situation to be in.

isualive

neneromanova wrote: »

I would take the rabbit! I know it's stealing, but if I knew I could hide it and care for it correctly then I wouldn't hesitate.

The RSPCA are useless. I absolutely hate them after hearing the put 10 GSD's down with a bolt gun. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/6115690/RSPCA-puts-down-10-German-Shepherds-with-bolt-gun.html

http://www.germanshepherdrescue.co.uk/our-dogs-gsds-shot-by-rspca.html

It's just discusting the way they act nowadays. They need to look seriously at their rules and change them as they can't intervene if there is signs of food and water on offer.

But yeah, rant over and back on topic, Take the rabbit or take pictures to prove your point to the RSPCA. Is there not a center that you can go to to take the pictures and make yourself heard?

How awful!:mad: