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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

rabbits not being looked after properly

39 replies

kittik · 07/02/2012 15:34

Have never posted before, but thats not really relevant. My problem is, where I live (a kind of complex of houses where we all live fairly closely) there is a family who have two cats and two rabbits. They are a lovely family , cultured, educated, nice but seem to have a blind spot where animal care is concerned. The cats I'm not too concerned about because they seem okay but the rabbits seem to hardly ever get their bedding changed, are often without adequate food and often the water bottle bottle is empty.

The mother leaves the care up to the 14 year old daughter, who needs checking up on obviously. I have spoken to the mom quite often, about this in nice ways and more bluntly as its gone on and on (I heard she referred to me as the rabbit police) and have often stepped in to supplement their food/water because it upsets me to see them needing stuff. They are in a large run (very muddy currently ) and were left in a draughty leaky hutch over xmas with no straw, they were wet and cold. (I stepped in and waterproofed it).

So- what would you do? ignoring it is not an option for me. I would really like to give the rabbits away while they're out but perhaps it's a bit drastic.The point being, I have spoken about it to them till I'm blue in the face and I'm fed up!! I realise this is in the am I being unreasonable thread, I dont need reassurance that I'm not being unreasonable, I dont want to only post among animal lovers though.

OP posts:
OldLadyKnowsNothing · 07/02/2012 15:36

Have you tried contacting RSPCA/SSPCA/local equivalent?

Callisto · 07/02/2012 15:37

If you're brave enough, tell the stupid woman that she is not caring for the rabbits properly and therefore you will either take them to the local bluecross/rspca/rescue centre for her or will call these people out to talk to her themselves.

She is a selfish fuckwit imo, and while I feel the only place for a rabbit is in a pie, I can't abide cruelty and this is what this is.

squeakytoy · 07/02/2012 15:39

RSPCA.

I can never understand why people keep rabbits, in a tiny wooden box, with nowhere to run about, and just leave them there until they die. Bloody cruel. :(

WorraLiberty · 07/02/2012 15:39

No, don't steal her rabbits or you'll be prosecuted for theft.

Why haven't you rang an animal welfare group?

Nagoo · 07/02/2012 15:39

YANBU and I'd call the RSPCA because you can't very well steal their rabbits and retain the moral highground.

kittik · 07/02/2012 15:44

Well I havent actually. I have reported animals in need from time to time, these people are actually friends of mine, (friends that I feel cross with quite often) and their care would be erratic. The animals are not actually starving, the shelter is adequate cause I made it so, I dont know, I'll need to think about that one. I suppose that is maybe what needs to be done.

OP posts:
kittik · 07/02/2012 15:47

Actually Nagoo I would'nt have too much of a problem removing the rabbits and still sleeping at night.But I probably wont.

OP posts:
dickiedavisthunderthighs · 07/02/2012 15:50

If your neighbours won't do anything then you have two choices - don't report them and know there are some cold, hungry and lonely rabbits in their back garden, or report them and secure the animals a happier future. Not really a choice is it?

Dickensia · 07/02/2012 15:50

The mother leaves the care of the rabbits to the daughter but you have spoken to the mother. Why not speak to the daughter with some rabbit-care ideas. Show her how to do things. Perhaps the daughter didn't want the rabbits in the first place.

kittik · 07/02/2012 15:53

Yes okay nice to hear some definite opinions. I live in Ireland where rabbits are quite neglected pets generally. Thanks for input.

OP posts:
Callisto · 07/02/2012 15:54

The RSPCA won't give a shite btw so I wouldn't bother reporting to them. Is there a Blue Cross in your area? Or how about getting a rabbit caresheet from the local petshop to give to the daughter?

WorraLiberty · 07/02/2012 15:54

You've waterproofed their run for them

Supplemented the rabbit's food and water

They hardly ever change the bedding and left them in draughty leaky hutch over xmas with no straw.

She refers to you as 'The Rabbit Police'

Seriously you either need to report these fuckwits for the sake of the rabbits or forget about them and let the rabbits suffer.

It's your call.

kittik · 07/02/2012 15:55

Thanks Dickensia, I actually have spoken to her too.She's away every weekend virtually at sleepovers and pays them no attention. I think she lost interest in them about 2 weeks after getting them.Shouldnt have got them really

OP posts:
steben · 07/02/2012 15:57

Ring the RSPCA, I was in a similar situation a few months ago. Rabbit left out in cold, on its own, no hutch or shleter just a wire mesh run and no food. The RSPCA came out 1 week after i called and now the rabit is in a hutch and has straw/bedding and is inside. It was our neighbour, and whilst they dont know it was me I think they actually do iyswim so it has not done much for neighbourly relations but at least a harmless defenseless animal now has adequate shelter and protection.

kittik · 07/02/2012 15:58

Okay!!!! I get the picture, will get onto the case . Thats what I like about Mumsnet, people never mince their words. Animal Welfare it is then.

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 07/02/2012 15:59

I don't know anything about rabbits , but I've got 2 guinea-pig boars and I was cringing reading your description of how these animals are kept.

14 year old is plenty old enough to care for 2 rabbits.
Report this to the RSCPCA. Even if it's for them to see the conditions and advice the daughter how to care for them.Then if it's ignored, they can act to remove them.
The run and cage are probably fine for summer, but not this time of year.
Maybe they didn't appreciate how much time (and money) it costs to keep them?

kittik · 07/02/2012 16:00

Oh, yes Steben my one concern is they will know it's me. But guess I have to accept that . Okay have to go out now.

OP posts:
MandyT68 · 07/02/2012 16:00

I have a sister who works for RSPCA if you want to pm me and get her email for advice.

SuePurblybilt · 07/02/2012 16:02

the petsireland board used to be very good for advice. A fair few on there who would pinch them for you, iirc Grin

c0rnsilllkrunninglikealaydee · 07/02/2012 16:04

Poor rabbits - they must be so cold and bored Sad

Nagoo · 07/02/2012 16:25

You could just sneak about and take the rabbits, I wonder how long it would take them to notice?

I wouldn't blame you if you took them, and TBH it would probably be the easiest thing to to, just take them and deny it, rather than call the RSPCA equivalent and take the shit for calling them.

hiddenhome · 07/02/2012 16:33

My next door neighbours used to be like this with their chickens Sad I used to sneak round, clean them out and give food/water. I eventually found new homes for them then got into a bit of an argument with the neighbours about the care and said I'd help them find a new home. They did rehome them themselves and have only just started speaking to us again.

I appreciate the stress you're under. Please try and pluck up the courage to do something about it. It's awful watching animals be neglected. Good Luck

YonSeaCow · 07/02/2012 16:44

Where would you keep a rabbit in winter if not in it's hutch?

c0rnsilllkrunninglikealaydee · 07/02/2012 16:49

YonSeaCow - the hutch needs to be somewhere warm. A shed, or a kitchen for example.

c0rnsilllkrunninglikealaydee · 07/02/2012 16:50

.....also they need to be somewhere where their water won't be frozen.