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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to feel unsure about what I've done - RSPCA and rabbit

69 replies

RabbitIssue · 11/08/2013 19:58

Long story but I went with my family to a sanctuary on Saturday to take part in a feeding experience.

A couple of things concerned me though, 1 of the rabbits didn't seem to have a water bottle in its cage (most of the rabbits were free ranging). I asked and the guy said 'oh its in the other barn' - not quite sure how that was going to help the rabbit but still. Then my children were holding some of the young animals and I was making sure they were being really careful, one animal moved and my dd nearly dropped it, i had my hands under to ensure she didn't and the guy said 'oh don't worry they've fallen from higher than that before' Hmm

I saw a free roaming rabbit that was really tame, didn't even move when I stroked it. I noticed fur missing under its chin, I picked the rabbit up and took it to the man working there. He said the rabbit had had a litter and had pulled the fur from its chest to line the nest. He did say the rabbit had had antibiotics but wasn't on them now and didn't need anymore.

I held the rabbit for ages, fell in love with it and half jokingly said 'do you rehome?' He said yes and I said we'd love to take the rabbit home (have cage, run, all suitable stuff, my dd's two rabbits died two months ago). I was a bit shocked that he didn't ask me for address, phone, do a home visit etc. End result - paid donation, took rabbit home.

Get home and realise rabbit is ridiculously thin. Take straight to vets - the fur missing under chin isn't from nest lining but a nearly golf ball sized abscess from a tooth infection. Rabbit is weighed and is less than half the weight it should be.

Hand feeding rabbit now, booked in for teeth/mouth check under sedation early in week. Vet says rabbit may not survive. Very sad. We will pay all the vet fees and I will give the rabbit a loving home if she pulls through (crossed fingers)

So, I ummhed and ahhed and phoned the RSPCA to report the sanctuary. I feel really bad, on the one hand, because it is a sanctuary but on the other hand surely this is terrible neglect? The rabbit must be in considerable pain and would have died if I hadn't seen it and taken it home. There were several other rabbits there that looked 'manky' not good phrase but they didn't look in top form, the other animals all seemed fine.

What would you have done? Should I have told the RSPCA or not?

OP posts:
WilsonFrickett · 11/08/2013 20:02

I think you are 100% right to have phoned. It's not a sanctuary if the animals aren't treated well and looked after properly, it's a bad situation. If everything was fine and maybe the guy you were speaking to had poor communication skills, for eg, then the RSPCA won't find anything wrong. But clearly that bun hadn't been feeding properly for a while, so I doubt it Sad

jeanmiguelfangio · 11/08/2013 20:05

I think you did the right thing. Even if your rabbit was the only one in that state, a sanctuary should have helped it from the beginning. I don't think an RSPCA inspection would be out of the way. YANBU as far as I'm concerned

Original poster
RabbitIssue · 11/08/2013 20:10

I wasn't sure whether council or RSPCA (never had particularly good dealings/heard good things with RSPCA) but the RSPCA said the symptoms of the rabbit were so severe that they needed to send an Inspector out and that the council would just have referred to them anyway.

The rabbit (Myrtle!) is sitting here eating and has been for about 2 hours, I've grated all the carrots, pellets and leaves and have liquid food too.

The thing is the rabbits were free roaming and there were probably about 20 of them, alongside all the other animals (say another 30 odd) so unless they checked each animal everyday they wouldn't have noticed but surely they should check each animal?

Argh, just feel upset they might close them down and maybe they were doing some good for the other animals. Am hoping RSPCA just give them some firm advice and make they sure they take it.

OP posts:
lasagneandchipsandsalad · 11/08/2013 20:12

Please, please, PLEASE get a second rabbit. They are social animals and are very distressed when forced to live alone. Sorry if I sound sanctimonious but they do need company!

ddubsgirl · 11/08/2013 20:13

You have done the right thing and if sadly bunny doesn't make it at least you have given it the love & care it deserves xxxxx

FurryDogMother · 11/08/2013 20:15

You absolutely did the right thing - and yes, they should check every animal every day. The RSPCA will (hopefully) help them to improve their care, rather than close them down. Good luck to you and Myrtle (lovely name!).

treacleturkey · 11/08/2013 20:18

i was always told that rabbits fight, and whenever I've put two together - they've tried to kill each other!!

Whothefuckfarted · 11/08/2013 20:19

Well done for informing the RSPCA, they will no doubt ensure the sanctuary up's their standards rather than close it down.

Also i second the advice about getting a 2nd rabbit/guinea pig to keep Myrtle company.

VacantExpression · 11/08/2013 20:21

I think you sound lovely and definitely did the right thing. I hope she pulls through.

I always though rabbits live alone too? Guinea pigs in groups, rabbits alone :-/

Original poster
RabbitIssue · 11/08/2013 20:23

Thank you all, I've been stressing about this since I rang them but I don't know why! If it had been an individual doing this I'd have slapped them let alone ring the RSPCA Grin

We're waiting to see what happens with Myrtle and if she's ok we will get her a companion once she has recovered, we were told not a guinea pig because the rabbit can hurt them and anyway they're not same species (obviously!).

Not sure what sexes are best with each other, will google it and ask vet. Last time we had a girl and a boy (girl done).

OP posts:
lasagneandchipsandsalad · 11/08/2013 20:23

Treacle that's two males. They need to be neutered but honestly, they absolutely shouldn't be kept alone.

Oh dear, I am conscious of being a rabbit nutcase but I've always loved these beautiful animals, ever since Watership Down Grin but they are prey animals and like most prey animals they are happier in groups. Ideal surroundings for bunnies are with other rabbits with somewhere to hide, not necessarily a burrow but a hutch with a section they can hide from the real world.

Females (does) do grow large ruffs which they pull out to line their nests, that much is true!

Tiptops · 11/08/2013 20:24

You 100% did the right thing OP. Neglect is neglect. If the sanctuary couldn't care for the animals in its care then it should take less in.

WRT taking on a second rabbit yes neutered rabbits will enjoy each other's company but your little one needs time to recover first. Rabbits and guinea pigs should NEVER be housed together.

Original poster
RabbitIssue · 11/08/2013 20:32

RSPCA have tried to phone me twice, I didn't catch phone in time. I've phoned them back and they're going to phone me back (!), so will update when I know what they want.

I originally phoned them at about 12.30 today, can't believe they'd have gone out to see the sanctuary already so maybe they want more info.

Taking Myrtle to bed now (don't ask!! :D ) but will update when i hear.

OP posts:
Mogz · 11/08/2013 21:01

You did the right thing for sure, given that place is a sanctuary it should be the very top of animal welfare!
Also it sound sterile that they're letting people in with these bunnies to pick them up and cuddle them when most rabbits will not appreciate that. And rabbits can break legs and backs from a drop of just a foot, so the man's attitude is awful!
Thank goodness your Myrtle is getting a wonderful home and care now, I hope she gets well very soon and you can then work on bonding her with a male so they can live happily ever after.

IForgotMyPencil · 11/08/2013 21:10

So so glad you brought her home - what a lovely heart you have! Smile

midori1999 · 11/08/2013 21:12

You have done the right thing.

Not sure how likely it is given her poor physical state, but if she's been with other rabbits, I'd worry about the possibility of pregnancy, as presumably she isn't neutered?

I agree about finding her a companion, although they'd both need to be neutered. It would be easiest to bond her with a neutered male and if you go via a reputable rabbit rescue they will help you bond her with a friend. Once she is well enough and has been neutered for at least 6 weeks, you can take her 'speed dating' to find a bunny friend.

The Rabbit Welfare Association has lots of great info on their website re housing, diet, finding a friend etc.

www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/

bouncingbelle · 11/08/2013 21:17

Aw you totally did the right thing. Just marking place so I can keep updated on the (hopeful) recovery of myrtle!

numbum · 11/08/2013 21:24

Poor thing. I'm not an animal lover but do have a soft spot for rabbits

We had 2 males together and they humped each other constantly were fine together

SlowlorisIncognito · 11/08/2013 22:21

You did the right thing. Sadly there are lots of sanctuaries set up by well meaning people without the knowledge or funds to run them correctly.

I would be checking in with the RSPCA to make sure they take some action.

HopLittleFroggyHopHopHop · 12/08/2013 00:13

I hope everything is going well-just place marking for an update Smile

Saffyz · 12/08/2013 00:14

YANBU. You've done the right thing.

kali110 · 12/08/2013 01:32

Ahh least she stands a fighting chance with you op. surprised the rspca are actually doing anything! Few years ago my dad found two dogs tied up by motorway, 2 mins from home. Theres rspca bloke just by us.rang them and they wouldn't go out, asked us to go fetch them instead. In end we did and took them to a sanctuary. Never been any use to us.
Iv had male rabbit before on own and he was perfectly happy. He had run of house and garden.Got another one now that was dumped by side of road ( how people can be so heartless i dont know) and hes content on his own. Gets spoilt and chases the cats.he'll have to be happy on his own as nomore room in this house for animals. We seem to attract the stray cats...

Travelledtheworld · 12/08/2013 04:19

Well done for giving this bunny a safe and happy home. I have a neutered male rabbit who lives with two guinea pigs. They spend a lot of time grooming each other and snuggle up in the winter and seem perfectly happy together.

SelectAUserName · 12/08/2013 04:33

Well done OP. I hope Myrtle recovers.

You probably already know this but if you do get a companion for her, you'll need to introduce them gradually over time on neutral territory, so in the meantime they'll need enough space to be able to be kept apart from each other until they've got to know each other.

Original poster
RabbitIssue · 12/08/2013 12:52

Kali - we already have 5 cats and 3 dogs Grin Seem to attract strays!

Thank you for all the advice re another rabbit, once Wednesday is out the way and she's hopefully recovering we'll start thinking about options for a friend for her.

RSPCA got back in touch last night, the officer just wanted more info, did I know if the rest of the rabbits were in the same condition etc. I got the feeling that if I said they looked fine they might not have gone out Hmm

I explained a couple looked 'manky' and that you couldn't see a lot of them because they were under the bottom of a shed. I also told him re no water bottle. He said they're definitely going to do a visit and will ring me afterwards to let me know what happens. He said hopefully they can give them some advice and guidelines rather than having to shut them down.

Myrtle is currently watching Bargain Hunt with me. My MIL saw her this morning and couldn't believe how thin she is Sad

OP posts:
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