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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be worried about the school rabbits? WWYD?

451 replies

lottieandmia · 13/05/2017 00:17

Dd's school acquired two very cute little rabbits recently. She has been very keen to sign up to take them home to look after for the weekend so today we collected them for the weekend.

I'm really shocked to see that they spend pretty much their entire lives in a tiny living space which does not allow them to move around or stretch out. My guinea pigs have a much bigger cage than they do. The rabbits cage allows them to only do one hop from length to length (if that)

We're animal lovers and I'm very worried about them. So much so that I'm willing to buy them a bigger hutch to donate to the school.

In my situation what would you do about this? We have never had rabbits but I do know they are intelligent, complex and are often rehomed due to a lack of understanding about their care needs. What would you do?

OP posts:
WellThisIsShit · 16/05/2017 13:45

Just thought, could the hutch have been approved for traveling? Assuming this charity (foolishly) approved the concept of living in an array of different children's houses and they need to be transported back & forwards in something.

That's the only way I can see that any 'approval' was given?

Original poster
lottieandmia · 16/05/2017 13:46

This hutch is supposed to be delivered tomorrow. If they refuse it then I guess it will just go back to the seller?

OP posts:
WellThisIsShit · 16/05/2017 13:59

WHerr did you buy it from? Do they have a returns policy you can check?

I think practically if the school refuse receipt of the package it will go back to the sender, (then you'd be liable for return postage I think?)

But I'm not sure if the school would refuse delivery easily, couriers/postie's will pressure the person to just take it and point out its got the right address on etc, and unless the head deals with it himself I can't imagine the office getting that involved? Unless of course the head has blown it up into a public display and has told staff on the office, which he might not do given the timing?

Justmadeperfectflapjacks · 16/05/2017 14:03

Can you enlist any other dps to make complaints?

Original poster
lottieandmia · 16/05/2017 14:16

It has a 30 day returns policy. There is definitely space for it at the school -I checked this.

I've just looked through the info from the school and there is a section on when the rabbits were first bought. This was about 6 weeks ago. It says 'the children loved the new rabbits and one commented that they were 'better than a PlayStation' Sad says it all really doesn't it?

I wonder if I should contact the governors?

OP posts:
Goingtobeawesome · 16/05/2017 14:16

OP, you are being incredible. Not giving up and fighting for these rabbits. Animals aren't just animals. They are friends, etc and we should all care. Bloody headmaster AngrySad.

CaptainCanary · 16/05/2017 14:29

Just wanted to say that you sound absolutely lovely OP, going to the lengths you have to help these rabbits. If they could thank you I'm sure they would! Hopefully the school start to see sense or someone with more authority is able to step in and get the bunnies into a better situation.

LightYears · 16/05/2017 14:44

OP, I've got a feeling all will be good in the end, just hang in there, you've been great! Those bunnies will have their day in the sun.

LightYears · 16/05/2017 14:46

Ps, the headmaster might be trying to save face because he's Blush

Stormtreader · 16/05/2017 14:47

They were only bought 6 weeks ago? I thought that maybe the advising woman had said a year ago that the hutch would be ok "for now" and the school just hadnt got a new one, but surely she cant have said that was ok as it is now?

yellowfrog · 16/05/2017 15:09

I can't add anything useful, but just wanted to chime in and agree with everyone about how awesome you are. Keep at it - you will win in the end and the rabbits will be much the better for it.

Fragglez · 16/05/2017 15:29

Oh OP I'm sorry they are being difficult when you are trying to do a good thing. Poor little bunnies Sad

Rooster44 · 16/05/2017 16:12

Another one here watching and hoping you get things sorted for these poor bunnies. I must admit I am not surprised by the head's response, schools rarely like it being pointed out to them they have been anything other than super imho Confused
I agree re:the governors, they may be in his pocket as some sadly are but you might be lucky and cause just enough fuss for them to at least accept the damn cage. Won't help with the weekend trauma but ...
Well done OP - you are doing a lovely thing!

Giraffe31 · 16/05/2017 16:21

You've really gone above and beyond and I hope that your hard work pays off for the rabbits! You may not be changing the world but you'll be changing the rabbits' world

WellThisIsShit · 16/05/2017 16:25

How did pick up go? Hopefully no upset or awkwardness...

Barbie222 · 16/05/2017 16:29

I really can't understand why schools house any sort of indoor pet. I'm severely allergic to anything fluffy and would have had a right old time in the same building, never mind the same room, and there are bound to be children with allergies in the school. My class have been booked to have the hatching chicks after half term Confused Hopefully none of the children are as allergic as me!

BringMeTea · 16/05/2017 16:34

OP you are doing a very kind and important thing. If I were you I would recruit any parent friends to email their concerns too. Garner support 'on the ground' as it were. So sorry it is proving tricky. The Head does sound like a lot of people: don't like being challenged. Hopefully he will see the error of his ways. Parent power may be your best way forward.

Theresnonamesleft · 16/05/2017 17:13

So the children had assemblies from blue cross about the rabbits including how to handle animals that generally don't like being held. She saw the cage and didn't have any concerns at all is amazing. I am also wondering if the school weren't fully honest with her or if she didn't ask various questions.

As for telling parents they need to provide a safe and spacious environment, are the school doing checks or just taking people's word? I could like in a bedsit with 10 kids which wouldn't be appropriate. They are not seeing if there is space and if these rabbits are being kept cooped up all weekend, after all that cage says they don't need a lot of space. Maybe they have had no concerns because like many they know little about rabbit care.

It's also telling he doesn't want the new hatch because of a lack of space and shows a lack of research on their part. Animals grow and so do the required space.

It's also very telling that He mentions how good it is for the school and the children at weekends to manage their care, with no mention at all about the health impacts and welfare for the animals. It's coming across as he thinks they are nothing more than a teddy.

And what the hell happens to these rabbits in the holidays? How many people are
Going want to sign up for 6 weeks care

squiz81 · 16/05/2017 18:15

Good thinking contacting the Blue Cross. I have a feeling that could be the key to getting the head to listen. I hope they do follow it up properly.

Well done for all your hard work in this.

Original poster
lottieandmia · 16/05/2017 19:02

My friend who works at the school days don't worry he will accept the hutch. I hope she's right! Thanks for your kind words. I'm not an amazing person but I think having the rabbits over the weekend brought it home to me how they need lots of space. They can't speak for themselves.

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 16/05/2017 19:09

I think you've gone above and beyond and it would have been very silly to just not send them back , I'm sure with some persistence things will work out.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 16/05/2017 19:14

They probably didn't have any issues because rabbits that are scared and in an unfamiliar place (as these bunnies are every weekend) might huddle in the sleeping area for safety.
"ohh look they're hugging together" nope they're huddling for safety .

What the school could do as a Plan B is give the bunnies the big hutch Mon-Fri and if they do allow them to be travelling ensure that they'e given space outside the hutch - only have the hutch for sleeping. Garden with secure run or a play area indoors (mindful of gnawing teeth on your furniture )

Bunny Business do really nice runs that can fold flat. My guineas bigger run is 84" x 48" but folds down. We peg it with heavy duty tent pegs .... but guineas don't dig so we don't need to worry about them getting out, just things trying to get them.

Any advice should be from several sources, they can vary. As you note from Blue Cross compared to Rabbit Awareness.

TBH , I would trust the advice from a site/organsisation that deals with rabbits than all pets .

I would print off everything I could find about cage sizes and bombard them

Original poster
lottieandmia · 16/05/2017 19:47

The lady at Rabbit Welfare said that everyone who takes them home should at least have the list of signs a rabbit urgently needs to go to the vet.

OP posts:
Theresnonamesleft · 16/05/2017 20:06

And who pays.
If it's down to the parents this could straight away deter a lot of people. Given the choice between emergency expensive bills or food families will look out for themselves.
Others may take the risk and not seek attention because of the cost.

Then the school pay - this could end up very costly and parents taking rabbit to vets because normal behavior is seemed to be odd to the unknowing.

He alternative a dedicated rabbit email that is monitored by staff who can endorse payments. Any worries and hope that email address is being monitored at 3 in the morning.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 16/05/2017 20:37

The rabbits should have insurance bought by the School and the number of the Vet+Emergency Vet given to the parents.

Rabbits cost something like £11,000 over their lifetime.
I'm guessing this includes : buying the animal, spaying/castration, yearly vaccines, claw trimmming, any dental checks, hutch/run, boarding, insurance , feed,hay, bowls, bottles.

Something the school should've looked into,

Actually when they're taken to be neutered (which I'm sure they'll do) or their annual vaccines , they can ask.

Or look at specific small animal insurance. Might be more for school pets though.

Remind them too that is it illegal to deny an animal Vet Treatment so unless they can get the parents to sign that they will monitor and seek Vet advice then they really need to insure.

Spaying reduces the risk of uterine cancer, phantom pregnancy (and real) and hormanol aggression.
Castration for males to reduce marking (pee) and aggression.

And the risk of wild rabbits getting them pg if they manage to escape !

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