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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:
VacantExpression · 19/05/2017 13:48

I only discovered this thread today and I think ive read all of it.. you are doing such a brilliant job Lottieandmia, well done you. I hope the situation for the rabbits improves significantly, I too thought the age of school pets was long gone.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 19/05/2017 14:58

I've just heard from Blue Cross

I'm glad they got back to you, and I'm really glad their representative was giving the school the correct advice. Hopefully now that the head has no back up s/he will have to reconsider.

Fragglez · 19/05/2017 15:56

Is the rep going to go back to the school now they know what's going on?

Original poster
lottieandmia · 19/05/2017 16:06

No, she says that since what they are doing is not illegal she can't speak to them about it Hmm

If people from animal charities let people get away with this shit then what hope is there? I can't seem to find a way to contact the governors easily.

OP posts:
milliemolliemou · 19/05/2017 16:19

Surely the governors should be on the school website?

Fragglez · 19/05/2017 16:19

That is utterly ridiculous and very sad.

Can they not see that that is endorsing what the school is doing!?

Original poster
lottieandmia · 19/05/2017 17:13

They are Millie but no contact details.

OP posts:
Kokusai · 19/05/2017 17:17

Oh no OP I'm so sorry to see this is still ongoing!

God the head sounds so bloody thick and pig headed. Bet he is a shit head in other ways .

isletsoffrangipane · 19/05/2017 17:18

So the school has lied to you. This is worrying.

Original poster
lottieandmia · 19/05/2017 18:00

He's quite a new head so I am rather concerned. I suppose it's possible that Blue Cross are back peddling but I can't know

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 19/05/2017 19:06

As the HT , his job is to question what goes on in his school.

Did someone really come into school and give conflicting advice to what's on their own website (which is available to check)
Seriously, HT? Hmm . And why did he not say "Erm, that's different to your website"

Makes you a bit suspicious , eh?

Or did they just have a temporary hutch, think "that'll do" and it was on "The List" to sort out at some time.

BTW , Blue Cross advice at least 150x60x60 for small rabbit pairs (which is 4'9" x 1'9" x1'9" .............short of the recommended 5' x2'x 2')

Kittencatkins123 · 19/05/2017 19:12

Can you speak to him again - this is an animal cruelty issue - explain what blue cross said, say assume there has been a mix up etc.
If not - RSPCA?
We are all with you!!!!! 🐰🐰

Original poster
lottieandmia · 19/05/2017 19:22

Kitten - the RSPCA refuse to do anythingSad I will wait to hear from RWAF but the head ignored my last email and hasn't even acknowledged receipt of the hutch.

OP posts:
Justmadeperfectflapjacks · 19/05/2017 20:20

Can your dc find out who has them next and stage a rabbitnap? Speak to the weekend host and start spreading the word. Boycotting the idea may be the way to go. . Or fake their death if things don't improve?

SwimmingInTheDeepBlueSea · 19/05/2017 21:05

Was the blue cross' response verbal or email? If email I would definitely forward to the head. If not I would email to inform him of the blue cross' answer and put a link to this blue cross Web page
www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/housing-and-companionship-your-rabbits
Which gives the minimum hutch size as 6ftx2.5ftx2.5ft (184x90x90cm), preferably with a permanently attached 8ftx8ft run.

squiz81 · 19/05/2017 22:04

Have you spoken to any other parents? Are there another people concerned for the rabbits that could support you in This?

Original poster
lottieandmia · 19/05/2017 23:04

I am not sure. The school is very big and because we are newish I don't know many people yet. The Blue Cross conversation was via phone. Some posters on here have pmed me and asked for the name of the school so they can write letters. I am not sure if that's a good idea though.

In my experience it's very unusual for a head to just ignore an email. I don't know what I'm dealing with here.

OP posts:
Original poster
lottieandmia · 19/05/2017 23:05

Oh I have an old friend at the school whose youngest child is in year 5. She mentioned to me that she thought it was a bad idea, not to mention a health and safety issue. She's not the kind of person to get involved though.

OP posts:
kali110 · 20/05/2017 00:01

Let them op.
The rspca are not going to do anything.
Id threaten the head with the governers and the papers.

kali110 · 20/05/2017 00:02

ID also state that you've youve spoken to the blue cross who have told you the above...

Original poster
lottieandmia · 20/05/2017 07:31

Ok. Maybe a number of people voicing their concern would help.

OP posts:
Kokusai · 20/05/2017 08:28

I don't think you should post the name on the open forum, but I think some other people writing and emailing the head would be a goood idea.

Original poster
lottieandmia · 20/05/2017 08:40

Gosh no not on the thread but I'll pm people.

OP posts:
Lostinaseaofbubbles · 20/05/2017 09:09

For what it's worth, with the exception of places like RWAF contacting them. I honestly think that getting people with no connection to the school to email/write to them is a really bad idea. It will be totally evident who the connection is.

I agree the HM should have responded to you, and I don't think trying to arrange a meeting with him given that you're still awaiting a reply is unreasonable. But unleashing lots of people unconnected to the school on him doesn't seem right.

The school office will have the email address for the chair of governors. Ask them for it and arrange to talk to them to discuss your concerns, but letting loads of "strangers" write to the HM is only going to get his back up!

Original poster
lottieandmia · 20/05/2017 09:19

Well, not loads! But maybe one wouldn't hurt. His main argument has been that I'm the only person who sees anything wrong with the current arrangement.

OP posts: