rabbit in the bin store

mellymoo74

Last Fri night I discovered a rabbit in the bin store in a hutch (I say I it was my Jack Russells)
I contacted the housing association and asked them to find out who it belongs to and get it moved.
It was supposed to be moved yesterday as it was just here whilst someone was on holiday.
It's still in the bin store.
It's not been out of the hutch noone is spending time with it what do I do?

Lagoon

I would have taken it in yesterday. If it's in the bin store it's clearly been abandoned and is probably hungry and thirsty.

mellymoo74

Its not been abandoned see my post. I cant take it in my dogs would have rabbit dinner.
I would rehome myself but want to know if I will be prosecuted.
It also has food and water (I have been watering it and adding leafy greens to its stock of dry food)
RSPCA aren't interested as its in a safe place ( the fact it cant see anything is in a small hutch and hasn't had a play out for at least a week are unimportant apparently)

Lagoon

I don't understand how your post says that it's not been abandoned?

Could you not take it in, and give it a safe room in your house? Is the bin store really safe, or is this poor rabbit at risk from other animals, passers-by, other residents?

As I say, that's just what I would do in your situation. There are probably dozens of ways to play it, but I personally would be taking it in before thinking about the rest.

mellymoo74

I have two jack Russells that are bred to kill rats, rabbits and badgers I already cant take them in the garden due to them breaking into the bin store to get at the rabbit.
The garden is secure
Will I be prosecuted as it will be clear it is me for rehoming the rabbit today.

As stated another resident is watching the rabbit for their sister it is being fed I am ensuring it has greens and making sure its water is fresh.

Lagoon

mellymoo74 wrote: »

I have two jack Russells that are bred to kill rats, rabbits and badgers I already cant take them in the garden due to them breaking into the bin store to get at the rabbit.
The garden is secure
Will I be prosecuted as it will be clear it is me for rehoming the rabbit today.

As stated another resident is watching the rabbit for their sister it is being fed I am ensuring it has greens and making sure its water is fresh.

I see. Well, if the rabbit is being watched for someone by their sister then I change what I said. The bin store seems an odd place to keep it, but if it's secure and the rabbit hasn't been abandoned then I don't see any issue. Unless the council have direct bin store access to empty the bins, and are likely not to notice it!

Fosterdog

While it's not an ideal place to keep the rabbit and it may not be getting the best care but if its only temporary then you don't know whether the actual owner is a great owner and may be annoyed to discover how it's been kept while they've been away.

Can you try to find out where the owner lives and check on it once it's back in her care. If it's still being treated the same then report her for neglect.

mellymoo74

Its narking me a) its blumin cruel single rabbit small hutch no area to play and no company.
b) increased fox activity (tons of poo and them hanging round the fence)
c) my dogs haven't had their training, mad dash play for over a week just walks.

It should have gone yesterday its still here (just given it some chard and topped its water up) how long do I leave it? Knowing its hutch is too small, its in the hottest part of the garden on its own?

Lagoon

I'm thoroughly confused. You say that it's not been abandoned, and yet you're the one giving it food and water?

A week in a smaller hutch isn't going to kill it, but I'm confused about how you're saying it's not abandoned but isn't being fed and is in a bin store?

If you've found out that it belongs to another resident and is receiving 'holiday care' or similar, then surely they should be giving it the food and water. Why not leave them to it?

Alternatively, if you think it's 'supposed' to be being watched but isn't, I stand by what I said earlier - I personally would bring it inside, wait for the owner to get back, and then give it back to them.

Fosterdog

If you we're told the owner would return on Friday I would give them until Monday then report it as an abandoned animal.

I know you say the hutch is too small and the rabbit is alone but it may have a huge hutch or shed at home that couldn't be moved so is in a small hutch just for the short stay. There may have been a second rabbit that had recently died, maybe the owners are getting a second, maybe the rabbit has failed to bond with others so has to live alone or maybe the owner only wants a single rabbit.

That's why I said find out where it actually lives and see if you can see it's permanent set up.

mellymoo74

Thanks fosterdog, I dont have bunnies myself but my friends do (thats why I have a stock of chard) your right they may well not know bunnies need greens and it could have a better actual home.
Another couple of days wont kill the dogs (though I may go insane)
If I got back and saw the way its been treated id go nuts so lets hope they educate them in bunny care.