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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:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 25/05/2017 22:45

As we're heading for hot weather now they really really need to step up their game .
Even if the rabbits are fit and agile they're at risk from flystrike (the sleeping area will get dirty quickly, rabbits choose a 'litter corner' ) and they are at risk of heatstroke.
Animals in fur (I won't say rodents because rabbits aren't ) need to have a cool shady area to take themselves off to, (though our daft guinea-pig boar hides under his hay even days like today his choice though).

Ceramic floor tiles are good for chilling on.

Original poster
LottieandMia · 25/05/2017 22:59

RWA person spoke to the head today and suggested that he give the rabbits to me for over half term but he didn't ask me.

I'm doing my best but ultimately if he won't accept that substandard care of these animals isn't acceptable then there isn't anything I can do about it.

And if anything bad happens to them it's on him if he doesn't improve the situation for them.

OP posts:
daisygirlmac · 25/05/2017 23:13

I have been watching this with interest and I could just shove that stupid HT into the too small hutch and see how he likes it Angry

I am absolutely appalled about suggesting this, so I'm sorry, but do you have a male partner? I wonder if it would make any difference at all to the stupid arse HT if your OH went in and sort of approached it from the "Lottieandmia has really got a bee in her bonnet and DD is keen, could we just take them for half term and see how we got on...saves you hassle...blah blah". It makes me very angry to even think it but if there's a chance it would get through to the idiot in charge it might be worth it. Those poor rabbits in this heat Sad

Nearlyoldenoughtowearpurple · 25/05/2017 23:43

You don't by any chance have any school-parents who are vets , they would I'm sure happily explain to hm exactly how wrong he is.
I really don't give those rabbits much chance
Not vaccinated
Constant Stress
Inadequate housing and feeding
With caregivers who don't know them and what's normal for them, every five minutes.
Do you have a relationship with a vet through your own pets ? They might be persuaded to write a letter providing literature on correct rabbit care and expressing their concerns.

Original poster
LottieandMia · 26/05/2017 06:30

I did think of that Nearly. I have a very good vet that I use for my cats. Perhaps I could ask them if they would do that.

Daisy - unfortunately my daughter's school is closed today until 6th June now. Which means the rabbits will already be with some unspecified person.

When I emailed him the last time I told him that myxi is a most cruel disease and the only solution to it is euthanasia. If he chooses to ignore all these things (and the email to him from Rabbit Welfare was excellent) then it's going to be his fault if anything goes wrong.

OP posts:
DorkMaiden · 26/05/2017 10:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
LottieandMia · 26/05/2017 11:01

I'm going to try to write to the governors I think. This situation is completely cruel.

I will post updates but I doubt I will hear anything else now until the children go back to school after half term. Poor bunnies...

OP posts:
Original poster
LottieandMia · 27/05/2017 18:04

Update :

The head has written to RWA to say that the carer for the rabbits over half term has a 6ft x 2ft hutch and a large run area. It seems that he is also looking into vaccination and neutering. I do hope this is genuine.

OP posts:
Eeeeek2 · 27/05/2017 20:32

I really hope so too

Polter · 27/05/2017 20:47

I do hope so Lottie, well done for all you've done Flowers

kali110 · 27/05/2017 20:53

Id be stating unless i saw proof then he could explain all this too the go erners.

kali110 · 27/05/2017 20:53

*governers

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 04/06/2017 21:38

and quietly hopeful that the rabbits' holiday carer decides to withold them

Original poster
LottieandMia · 04/06/2017 22:17

I'm interested to see how things are after the half term. I would have been happy to take the rabbits but we have a nest of bees in our garden so I don't think it's ideal at the moment. My RW lady is not going to give up though.

OP posts:
FlySlayer99 · 12/06/2017 00:55

Any news OP?

Original poster
LottieandMia · 12/06/2017 02:47

No, it's gone quiet. I'm going to speak to Rabbit Welfare tomorrow. This week I've been preoccupied because my dd is starting a new school tomorrow.

OP posts:
SexLubeAndAFishSlice · 21/06/2017 18:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
LottieandMia · 21/06/2017 19:43

Nope, still not heard from the RWA. If I've not heard anything by Friday I will write to
The governors and set out my concerns.

OP posts:
Original poster
lottieandmia · 26/07/2017 11:09

Ok, so just to give you all a quick update. The situation seems to have degenerated between the RW person and the head.

Basically, the head has says that the rabbits have been vaccinated, have a vet and also provision for vet care. The governors have backed him up and our MP says he can't do anything unless there is evidence that the rabbits are not being cared for.

I think that obviously it's a shame that there is still the outstanding issue of the rabbits being carted around. The RW person has now started generally slating the school and saying the results are not good.

Nobody knows more than me (have a child with severe SEN and have come up against belligerent LA staff time and again) that you only win the battle with facts and not by getting personal.

RW person now wants to Tweet about the situation but I fear the fact the school's account is not very active, they probably will just delete the tweets and block.

OP posts:
WellThisIsShit · 26/07/2017 11:29

What a shame, but sadly not unexpected.

People don't like to be told they are wrong (especially if that means they are doing actual harm), and once the walls have gone up there's little that can be done, especially by voices that have been labeled the opposition.

How are you and DD coping with this? Are you managing to keep any good relations with the school? I feel so sorry for you being put in this position.

You were very brave to try and tackle this in the first place. And very kind, to feel you had to act for the rabbits welfare even when it would be very awkward for you.

I totally 'get' the similiarity to trying to get the right things in place for your DD with SEN. Its sad but true that people behave like this when faced with special needs requirements or disability. I'm disabled and those situations spring to mind for me too.

I think you've done as much as you can now. The rabbits have had their lives improved quite a bit, and I'd concentrate on that.

I'd also be trying to separate yourselves from the RW person. She is not handling this well now, and her attempts will generate nothing but ill will and discredit herself and her opinions. Time to step away now!

Easter Smile ❤️

Original poster
lottieandmia · 26/07/2017 11:37

Yes I agree. I've seen the head numerous times and he's been fine with me. So the situation hadn't adversely affected me or my dd. The head is an interesting character- has boundless energy and enthusiasm for the children and clearly thinks a lot of them - ive seen some examples of this in the last two months.

OP posts:
HipsterHunter · 26/07/2017 11:40

Sorry this is still going on.

NoSquirrels · 26/07/2017 11:42

Yup - RW person about to lose the moral high ground. Not good.

It's a shame the school can't admit that rabbit were a poor choice for this scenario, but if the governors back the head, then you have done your very best, and sorted the most urgent issues, and if I were you I'd just make sure to volunteer to have them as often as you can so you can keep an eye on behaviour or evidence of stress.

Original poster
lottieandmia · 26/07/2017 12:13

She's made it very difficult for me to be able to approve her point of view now. I think the focus has to always be on how to exact change and not to lose sight of that because you're determined to be right.

I am glad that through intervening the school have taken some of it on board at least. I really don't think they can be forced to give the rabbits up though.

OP posts:
Mcakes · 27/07/2017 15:44

Is there any possibility of harnessing parent power? Talking with other parents about it and getting enough people to voice their disapproval? Surely the head and governors would have to change their minds then?
I completely understand that it may hard to do without coming across as belligerent or tub thumping but is there any scope to start a conversation with a few likely parents about how uncomfortable you are with the situation and see what arises? It wouldn't be just you then and it may take on a life of it's own (and possibly help educate other parents about proper rabbit care at the same time). There must be other parents who would feel the same as you??
Much appreciation from over here for taking the time and effort to try to help the poor bunnies and doing it in a really positive and non-confrontational way. Fingers crossed for you (and the rabbits) that this does get resolved eventually....