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We have seen this story printed in booklets and on several websites promoting responsible rabbit ownership.  So far, we have been unable to trace the uknown author but have included the story here in the interests of all rabbits bought on impulse, usually from pet shops, as pets for young children.

 

Please Don't Buy Me 

- Fluffy's Story


"I wish I had never been born", thought Fluffy as he aimlessly paced up and down a bleak hutch. I should consider myself lucky because this is much better than my last home and even the home before. But it wasn't the kind of life I really imagined or wanted. I wanted a home where people understood rabbits, accepted them for what they were and respected their feelings. What I ended up with is a home where I was bought as a children's pet, the novelty wore off and I was put in a hutch at the bottom of the garden with no-one for company or nothing to do except watch the seasons go by.

Life for me started happy. My mother loved me and the other five kittens in the litter. We had scraps but we all loved being and playing together. Then my brothers and sisters and I were taken to a pet shop, put in a wire cage and watched by a weird selection of people who came in and out. One by one my brothers and sisters were taken out of our home, put in a cardboard box with holes punched in it then disappeared. That was the last I saw of them. It wasn't long before I went through the same fate.

I had a feeling that day when a family with a small child came to have a look at me. They oooohed and aaaahed, thought I was handsome and would make the ideal cute and cuddly pet for their child. So they bought me.

The box I was put in was very frightening, I was terrified. Nowhere to run, I was on my own and couldn't imagine my destiny. I ended up first being carried, in the box and placed somewhere (I assume it was a car because movement followed). After what seemed to be years, I was taken out and put in a hutch all by myself. I was so lonely and frightened I didn't know which way to turn. It was all so new and I was on my own for the first time in my little life.

Not long after I was put in the hutch, the family came out to first look at me then to pick me up. Needless to say they probably had never picked up a rabbit before because it hurt me so much. I was given to the child to hold. The child didn't know how to hold me, in fact she didn't want to hold me and was frightened when I scrimped and wriggled so she dropped me. Fortunately, I wasn't hurt and I was becoming more and more stressed each time. All these new adventures to cope with at once were becoming intolerable and frightening me. Then it stopped and back I went into the hutch. The next day the same happened. I wanted to protect myself from this hurt, so I turned and nipped one of the adults. But for the next few weeks, I hardly saw anyone. I became very depressed. There I was in this hutch, with nothing to do, no one for company and virtually left to fend for myself. Obviously this family were under the impression that rabbits make ideal children's pets, and I can tell you from my own personal point of view THEY DON'T.

In complete contrast to my idyllic beginning, I now found myself put in a hutch, all on my own, at the bottom of the garden. I had no company and was terribly lonely, fed-up and bored. If only I had company. If only I had my brothers and sisters. If only this was a dream. This was the start of the next three years.

As each year went by, I had less and less companionship from the children who would prod me, treat me as though I didn't have feelings and would think I was a toy or something. Everyday was a nightmare and I hated it. I didn't want to feel as though I was just another rabbit, easy to buy another, rabbits don't have feelings, they don't want anything, they don't - how do people know what rabbits want? Does anyone think they do anything?

As the years went on, I lost my will to live. I lost a purpose in life. I began to feel like just another thing.   I was lucky, after suffering this fate for a considerable period I was taken to a rescue centre. The family said I was aggressive, dangerous and that I bit. What I really wanted was - not to be continually man-handled or picked up, to be given respect and dignity ie. given a life with a purpose, fed and watered regularly, provided with companionship (another rabbit), and given a decent amount of space to exercise in - not to be considered as just another child's play-thing.

I doubt whether, now I will get anywhere else to live. Who wants an old rabbit with no life in him when once I was handsome and thought that nothing could change.

 

Extracted from the BBC website, 10 December 2006

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6166113.stm

 

Rabbits 'now the most abused pet'

Rabbit

It can cost £4,000 to keep a rabbit over its lifetime

Rabbits are the most abused domestic pet in England and Wales, with 35,000 abandoned every year, says the RSPCA.

The animal charity said a survey found that 70% of rescued rabbits had been kept hutched 24 hours a day.

Almost 40% had had no food, and half had been living in filthy conditions, it told the BBC.

It found that people bought rabbits but then quickly lost interest. On average the abandoned pets it came across had been dumped after just three months.

Many were simply released in the street or into the wild.

Responsibility

Rabbits are the third most popular pet after cats and dogs and the RSPCA says that rescue centres are struggling to cope with the 35,000 unwanted pets abandoned every year.

If you didn't have the children, would you be keen to have the rabbit?
 

Anne Mitchell, Rabbit Welfare Association

 

Anne Mitchell from the Rabbit Welfare Association warned that parents needed to realise the responsibilities that go with caring for rabbits.

The animals can live for up to eight years and cost £4,000 over their lifetime.

"If you didn't have the children, would you be keen to have the rabbit? If you wouldn't, don't do it," she said.

"Ninety percent of children get bored, they're tired very quickly of the chores.

"You can't treat it like Barbie doll and Action Man and just stuff it in the cupboard under the stairs, although sadly some of these rabbits do end up like that, totally neglected."

The RSPCA statistics will be released next week as part of a survey into rabbit welfare.

 

Here are some of your comments:

I think the estimate of £4k to keep a rabbit is a little on the high side. Like with any pet, you should always make sure you have a contingency fund for treating any unforeseen illness, but pellets, hay, treats and veg for my house bunny cost no more than £20 per month. It's a shame to think of people deciding against rescuing a rabbit because of the expense. I'm sure most spend twice that on their mobile phone bills!
Shona, Glasgow

Taking care of rabbits isn't that difficult. It requires dedication and work, just as owning any other animal does. People need to be sure they have 8-15 years to dedicate to caring for a rabbit before they buy one - they are much longer lived than most realize.
Amanda, Norwich, UK

Many problems these days seem to be children thinking a rabbit is cute and fluffy and small, but they grow and require lots of attention, time and money (much like the children do!) which kids these days cannot deal with. Whilst rabbits are small and cute, they aren't cheap. Home visits should be carried out to ensure rabbits are kept in a suitable environment, much like with cats and dogs. My sisters have not found caring for their rabbits to be a burden because of the joy that they bring, and it disgusts me to think that so many parents have such a flippant attitude towards their actions.
Gemma, Sheffield, UK

Rabbits are great pets , IF you are prepared to care for them. I have 2 rescue rabbits and everyone acknowledges they are mine and not the children's. The care involved is huge, as much as owning a large dog. they need daily hygiene, a minimum of 2 hours of exercise, play and entertainment, some need daily grooming and all rabbits need a varied diet including mixed fresh vegetables. I have advised many friends that have asked about rabbit ownership to consider the amount of care involved before making any purchases, and I try to ensure they understand how many bunnies need rehoming before they look at the cute bundles of fluff in a pet shop.
Sharron, chandlers ford, hampshire

I rescued my pet rabbit, She'd had been locked in a cage 24/7.. She now has a happy life here with us, she lives in the house with us & makes a great little pet.. How can people be so cruel? If you have a rabbit make sure the hutch is big enough & please please make sure they have a decent size run..
karen Mills, Wrexham

I cant understand some people. How hard is it to look after a rabbit? we decided to get my son a rabbit and we got a northumberland dwarf as they don't grow very big, a little tip for people with a medium sized cage, also we got a male as they are they are the less aggressive type, and he's gorgeous. we keep him in a hutch and he is fed twice a day, twice a week he has a treat of fresh veg, when weather is not too bad we just let him run about for an hour and he loves and springs about, we recently had his nails clipped and the vet said he was very healthy, he now comes to you when you feed him and nuzzles your hand, and do you know what I find it ten times easier looking after our rabbit than keeping up with all the housework, so come on people, no excuses!!!!!!!!
julie, sheffield

We took a rabbit from one of the national pet shop chains as he looked in poor condition and cowering in a corner. Our rabbit is still very timid, over 2 years on and he has had some severe health problems which means he cannot live outside, he lives in our house now and has the free run of the house, in essence, he's a house bunny. If you are going to get a rabbit, ensure that you can look after them, they need food, water, fruit and veg every day, plus hay. They need grooming, neutering and plenty of exercise and attention. We adore our rabbit and he gives us so much pleasure but they do require a lot of love, care and attention. Rabbits give so much back but if you can't afford to give them the time they deserve, please don't buy one and please don't buy one as a Christmas present.
Iona Pippen, Caerphilly

I have 3 rabbits. To give them up or to abandon them is just not a option. It is hard work looking after the hutches in winter but i still get out there when its cold and clean them and feed them. In the summer i trim there nails and let them out for runs. They are the nicest creatures ever.
Yasmine, Rotherham

Animal Cruelty still shocks me every time I hear it. I myself have 2 rabbits, 2 guinea pigs & 2 hamsters and I love them all so much. I was surprised of how much hard work looking after a rabbit it. There about the same hard work as a dog. all animals need excersise and a good diet and love and attention of course. but rabbits have a very sensitive stomach, need at least 2 hours of love & and affection a day and of course need to be let out of there cage for a few hours at least! The punishment for animal cruelty should be firmer. not just a slap on the hand!
katie hamlet, Aberystwyth, Wales

Yes, I've rescued a rabbit and i'm waiting to rescue my next one. It's terrible to read what's happening as rabbits make fantastic pets. All you need is a bit of space and then watch them run, jump and play. They are so funny to watch but sticking them in a teeny weeny hutch doesn't let children (and adults) see their full potential. They're more playful than adult cats for example. If you want a rabbit get the biggest hutch you can and a large run and get in there with them - you're kids will be soon like my 3 year old son - can't get enough!
Sarah Miles, Worcestershire

We found a rabbit in the gutter five years ago. Nobody claimed her so we kept her but she has cost a considerable amount of money in vet bills over that time. As much as we like her, a rabbit would not be first on our list of pets. To throw a rabbit into a hutch and think that that's all the life it needs is just wrong and cruel, they need a lot more mental stimulation than that. As for them being a good children's pet, that's a myth, children will grow bored of them quickly, and rabbits are more fragile than people believe, serious back injury not being uncommon if they fall or jump the wrong way. They should not be a disposable commodity in this disposable society.
Carol Brown, Adelaide Australia

We've had rabbits in my family for years and we always get them for RSPCA rescue centres. It's beyond me why anyone would pay for one at a pet shop when there are so many who needs homes and might be put down if they don't find one.

To buy a pet without realising what's involved and that you might get bored of it is sheer idiocy. Get a rabbit because you have compassion towards animals and rabbits and want it to be part of your family. Don't get it if you really can't be bothered to pay for it, clean its hutch or let it run around for a few hours a day. It just causes suffering.
Andrew, Nottingham, UK

As a vet with a large primary and referral caseload in rabbits I see this every day. People get bored of the rabbits very quickly, and haven't researched the costs and keeping of their animals at all. It's sickening to think I only see the ones who are honourable enough to bring their animal to us and admit their failure. If a rabbit is healthy we do what we can to rehome it but it's a losing battle.

I regularly see rabbits living to 10 years old, some to 12, and those are the lucky ones. The second commonest cruelty cases I consult for the RSPCA are abandoned rabbits, and we investigate those thoroughly - those we catch are prosecuted.

It is heartbreaking to see animals just dumped in the middle of a park with no food or water simply because ignorant people got tired of taking care of them. With housing facilities at breaking point we have to be ruthless about those we keep, and those we have to euthanase. It's disgraceful we're put in that position by those who take on what they cannot care for.

The estimate of costs for keeping a rabbit in the article is about right.

The other problem is people not feeding their rabbits properly. Hay. Grass. Hay. Grass. That's it. Perhaps a supplement if you want to. "Mixes" and so on will just end up in dental disease, and a lifetime of pain and discomfort, and a huge vets' bill.

Think before you buy.
William Easson, Cardiff, Wales

I was given a rabbit about 6 years ago as a gift. To be honest in the first week I wasn't sure if I wanted him as I knew nothing about rabbits and I was bit nervous if he would bite me and from the way he would sprint around the room so fast I just got put off and at night would put him back in the hutch. Six years later I still have him and would never give him away as he is so intelligent, fun and affectionate and crafty I sometimes forget his a rabbit from the way he behaves. He is litter trained and when he knows I have been into the kitchen he comes sprinting towards me as he knows his getting a treat.

The bottom line is although rabbits are not like other animals and don't really make noise they are very sociable animals and the more time you spend with them the end results are amazing. Just because they are quiet and not like a puppy or kitten that doesn't mean people should abuse them in anyway as they are also very delicate animals. I love my bunny so much I let him I sleep in a massive indoor cage that I purchased that has ramps and toys for him. Rabbits get very stressed easily and it is not right to keep them locked in their hutch for too long. I strongly feel that people should not be allowed to purchase rabbits or any animal for that fact if they are going to think of it as a short term interest. Rabbits are hard work as i know how many times I clean his cage and feed him because its not humane to let them stay in a dirty cage. Jay jay has been a really nice experience for me that six years ago I would have laughed but if you give it a chance and spend time with your rabbit the rewards you get back are priceless.
Liza Fortes, Sudbury UK

Rabbits are social animals and so need company. If you are going to keep a Rabbit outdoors in a hutch they should be kept in neutered/spayed pairs for company. The best combination is a male and a female. If kept on their own Rabbits can become very depressed. A hutch should be large enough for the rabbits to stand up on their back legs and have a permanently attached run for exercise.

If you are going to keep rabbits with enough attention to their welfare then please bear in mind that they are not cheap pets. The initial set up costs for a pair of rabbits with a suitable hutch, vaccinations, neutering/spaying and food is around £600. If you aren't prepared to spend this sort of money then you really shouldn't buy them because to not provide all they need is cruel.

Having said all that rabbits make excellent pets, we have two which actually live in the house and give us many hours of pleasure. In case you are wondering they are very clean and are easily litter trained!
Richard Thacker, Bristol

I recently took on a rabbit that someone no longer wanted. He was kept in a tiny hutch 24 hours a day and rarely had any water or adequate food. He now has a 7ft enclosure and run of the garden when we are home. I have bonded him with my female and they are totally happy.

Rabbits are NOT kids pets. They can be feisty, hard to hold when fully grown and territorial when not neutered. Only get a rabbit if an adult will ultimately be responsible for it. Kids cannot be expected to take sole responsibility for one. Rabbits should not be kept alone, or with a Guinea Pig. They should be neutered, vaccinated, have time spent with them, get regular daily exercise, a good diet including a supply of hay constantly, the list is endless.

Please, please, do not buy a rabbit on a whim without giving it a lot of thought. Please also do not buy from a pet shop when there are so many animals in rescue.
Kate, Birmingham, West Midlands

In 1997 we found a french lop rabbit that had been dumped and she was most probably was an unwanted easter bunny that was bought for a kid who grew bored of her. Many parents sadly give in to temptation and buy rabbits as pets for their kids on the spare of the moment no thought in their future care etc, not meaning to be cruel but the children just lose interest after a while and therefore the poor bunny suffers, locked up in its cage or even has no food or water. Many cages are way to small that they sell in pet shops and the poor bunnies who once fitted in them as babies and then soon row soon outgrow their enclosures and therefore have no room to move. Thumper was lucky we rescued her and lived a very long and happy life estimated to be between 9-13 years old, many parents need to be aware of the costs rabbits can occur in their lifetime which can be 7years or more! and also they need to be aware that they need vaccinating against deadly diseases such as vhd and myximotosis.
lisa yates, manchester

BBC News.

 

 

    

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