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Feel really sorry for these bunnies

9 replies

sweetkitty · 05/07/2013 22:38

We're bunny sitting just now or well looking after a pair of buns in their own house. They live in an indoor cage in a playhouse, the cage is 2 storey but tiny they certainly cannot run around it.

I let then put today first good day for a while and they didn't want to go out for a run kept trying to get back in the cage.

I see this a lot another friend has a line rabbit in a tiny cramped hutch never allowed out stick at the bottom of the garden.

I've had bunnies before and they had an outdoor run and were out most days even in winter and they had a hutch in a shed and the run of the shed floor.

I was thinking of getting bunnies or piggies for the DC but have decided to get a dog instead so can't get bunnies now (dog will be a large sight hound).

I guess I just get so sad about bunnies stuck in a cage that can't run about

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 05/07/2013 22:52

It is very but unfortunately very common.

DD and I keep guinea-pigs (though she has helped with the school rabbits).

I'm not a rabbit fan but it boils my blood to see the tiny, flimsy hutches that are sold in PetShops.

Tiny sleeping areas. Steep ramps.
Rabbits need 3 hops space and to stand up on their back legs.

Unfortunately some of them get used to it because they have no other choice. And once the DC get bored with them........

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 05/07/2013 22:54

Can you find and print out "A Hutch is Not Enough" for the owners?

RSPCA leaflets maybe?

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sweetkitty · 05/07/2013 23:07

I'm going to have a word with the owners about all the new runs there is out there. I had bunnies from age 6 to 16 I never got bored I looked after them spent hours playing with them, it's no excuse.

I have an indoor cat (used to have 3) some people think its cruel but at least he has a big house to run around in and he has access to outside just chooses not to go out

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midori1999 · 05/07/2013 23:18

I would feel sad too. Why have they got them in a cage in the playhouse? Can they consider converting the playhouse and adding a run they can get permanent access to or access to via a runaround tunnel, do you think?

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Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 05/07/2013 23:20

Maybe they just don't know alot about bunnies. and they assumed that whats sold in a petshop is suitable pr she was giveb duff advice. i have to say though that despite the many sites available to order rabbit hutches, I found it incredibly difficult to find one that ticks all the boxes. I'm not totally happy with what we have but to find one that's reasonably priced, comes with a cover, looks ok, is a decent size, and has any other criteria you desire eg solid sides as
opposed to wire or that u u can move easily etc can be very hard. I'm
Sure no cruelty is intended and what's sold should be suitable for rabbits but truth is it isn't and people don't realise the commitment a rabbit is. I'd feel sorry for them too but maybe they don't honestly realise.

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sweetkitty · 06/07/2013 10:14

I think it's the old the kids got bored of them very quickly, parents left to clean them out and feed them, stuck at the bottom of the garden and ignored.

I thought about bunnies and guinea pigs for our DC but have decided to just go for it and get a dog, mainly for me but it's a much more interactive pet living inside etc.

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guineapiglet · 06/07/2013 10:25

We have lots of lovely wild bunnies here and when you watch them run, dig,burrow and live life according to their natural instincts, you can see how some caged buns get a very rough deal...bordering on the cruel. Of all small furries, I think they need the most space and chance to live in natural conditions.

I had a friend who kept hers in way too small cages and wouldn't let them out on the big lawn because 'they pooed everywhere' . Er, yes, that's what they do.

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Facebaffle · 06/07/2013 23:38

That's so sad

Our rabbit has the run of the garden every day (completely rabbit proofed so no chance of escaping). He only goes in his cage at night.

I love seeing him dart around the garden doing those funny jump things