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AIBU?

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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:
Original poster
lottieandmia · 13/05/2017 01:50

Well, it's interesting you should say that Midnite because I did wonder myself about all those things. We are given a care sheet which says that we mustn't allow the rabbits to mix with other pets but not much else.

Pretty much anyone can take the rabbits home - they just have to sign up. They are 'school rabbits' stationed outdoors in a fenced area right by the reception class.

I didn't know moving them can make them ill :( how worrying.

OP posts:
Butterymuffin · 13/05/2017 01:51

That does not sound like good animal care. Most animals would be stressed by being in a different place every weekend - plus lots of the families may not be in a position to take them. I would go and see the head or class teacher as soon as you're able next week, offer the hutch (very kind) and say you really feel they should rethink the weekend arrangements.

Original poster
lottieandmia · 13/05/2017 01:51

My daughter thinks they are both girls.

OP posts:
Original poster
lottieandmia · 13/05/2017 01:54

The problem is clearly that people just think rabbits are like live cuddly toys. Whenever I go to pets at home there are always loads of rabbits who need rehoming. It's so sad.

OP posts:
MidniteScribbler · 13/05/2017 02:03

It really doesn't sound ideal Lottieandmia. I agree that they aren't cuddly stuffed animals and should never be overwhelmed with students. My students know that our classroom rabbits are not to be picked up and cuddled, they can pat, but no more than one person at a time so they aren't being crowded around. It takes a lot of kid training at the start of the year to get them to understand my expectations around how they are expected to behave (I also take one of my dogs in some days) as many of these children have never had a pet before and have no idea how to act around them safely.

Bunbunbunny · 13/05/2017 02:13

This should help on diet for them: www.therabbithouse.com/diet/components-rabbit-diet.asp

We buy our bun herb pots so he can help himself, don't get the corn treats they're not good for them as well

kali110 · 13/05/2017 02:24

That is absolutely disgusting Angry
How dare they keep them in that tiny thing.
How dare they pass them around like toys!
I'd sat report tjem to the rapca but they're not going to do anything!
They should be getting fresh food everyday too!
(Don't give them iceberg lettuce op
Or too much fruit, or carrots as it's sugary.)
Mine love herbs too bun what corn treats are you on about?

Aliveinwanderland · 13/05/2017 02:59

Poor bunnies. Moving them is very likely to stress them out which can make them very poorly. Have they been vaccinated? They are more likely to catch myxomatosis if being sent to different places.

Have they been neutered? Bunnies need company but do need neutering to keep their hormones under control and allow them to live peacefully in a pair as they get older. It also prevents females from getting uterine cancer.

It's such a sad life for them being carted around. I have two bunnies who are both 9 years old and they have a Wendy house and 12ft run, plus free range of the garden when I'm home. They need so much space!

Aliveinwanderland · 13/05/2017 03:00

I would be very worried about what message this is also teaching the children. Animals are not toys.

saladsmoothie · 13/05/2017 03:11

We used to have rabbits. They are dreadful pets for children. Sensitive, high maintenance, not particularly cuddly, and can scratch and nip!

Blimey01 · 13/05/2017 03:47

I'm actually quite shocked the school has decided rabbits are an appropriate school pet. They need lots of space and exercise which they don't seem to be providing and sending them home with different people that also may not have the right facilities or knowledge look after them properly is just irresponsible. Poor rabbits!! I would definitely flag it up.

BellaGoth · 13/05/2017 03:56

I am absolutely appalled by this. Those rabbits are going to be seriously stressed by those living conditions.

OP I hope the school listen to you and either sort out a decent enclosure or find them a good home. Then they can get a more suitable class pet. Maybe suggest a rock.

Lweji · 13/05/2017 04:04

Tbh, even going to different houses every weekend sounds stressful for the animals.
It's people they don't know. Unfamiliar places. I can't see that it's healthy for them.

KoalaDownUnder · 13/05/2017 04:08

This is appalling! It is downright cruel! Angry

I would be very worried about what message this is also teaching the children. Animals are not toys

Exactly. Whoever is responsible for this at the school is a bloody idiot. Please take it further.

Kittencatkins123 · 13/05/2017 04:08

YANBU - save the rabbits!!!! Please go am have a chat with the school

  • the kids can still enjoy them without taking them home.
🐰🐰
e1y1 · 13/05/2017 04:28

I didn't know moving them can make them ill sad how worrying

Yes massively so, when I got my 2 bunnies, one of them got horrendously ill, almost lost her and cost a lot of money to sort.

Luckily she pulled through, even the vet was surprised.

They're so delicate and are very easily frightened - to the point shock can kill them.

They're not a suitable pet for children, they're a prey animal so are always on anxious alert unless they feel 100% safe.

Trifleorbust · 13/05/2017 05:11

It's a horrible set up all round for those poor rabbits, isn't it? They must be confused and stressed out virtually all the time.

Original poster
lottieandmia · 13/05/2017 06:15

Thank you for your advice - I think that obviously the school haven't thought this through at all.

What could be done to remedy the situation of them being sent home with different people every weekend? I think it would surely be possible for them to be fed and cared for on site? The vaccination issue concerns me too as myxomatosis is a dreadful most cruel illness.

These rabbits don't like being held at all so I've just stroked them a little which they seem to like.

When dd2 was 9, she wanted a rabbit and after researching it, I do remember coming to the conclusion that rabbits are not a children's pet so i talked her into having guinea pigs instead.

OP posts:
Catinthecorner · 13/05/2017 06:31

It may not be the legally correct thing to do but I wouldn't return the rabbits to the school on Monday.

It would feel like the morally correct thing to do.

CiliatedEpithelium · 13/05/2017 06:49

The sending them home with different Dc all the time treats them like an object. They suffer immense stress and this effects their bones and teeth ultimately. They need stability and routine not this shit! It sounds like everything is being done wrong here. Pretty shocking really.

WomblingThree · 13/05/2017 06:58

Catinthecorner I agree. I know someone who did the same. He had the class pet home for the holiday and told them it wasn't coming back, as it wasn't being housed or fed adequately.

What the hell were the school thinking in getting rabbits and putting them in such a tiny cage. What a terrible example to set to children, that you can just get a pet, with no research whatsoever, and then bung it in whatever housing is available.

As others have said, rabbits are not beginner pets. They need specific care, and get terribly stressed out by being moved around. This is one of the most awful things I have seen a school do.

lottieandmia if I were you, I would contact a rabbit rescue in your area and ask their advice. I certainly wouldn't be sending them back to school. If the school kick up a fuss, tough. I'm sure they wouldn't want to be associated with neglect and ill treatment of animals.

KERALA1 · 13/05/2017 07:01

God I want I would be tempted to keep them.

We set ours free in our enclosed back garden. Lovely to see them hopping and running about

PeppermintPatty10 · 13/05/2017 07:06

That's terrible!! And so thoughtful of you to donate a much larger hutch. I'm sure the school would be thrilled and gladly accept!

Hulder · 13/05/2017 07:21

Please don't give them back on Monday. The school are clearly clueless owners who are abusing these rabbits

Trifleorbust · 13/05/2017 07:23

Keep the rabbits! I'm not sure how it will go down with school and other parents but heck, it will be interesting to watch Grin