Here's the email I wrote to school,
Dear Mr X,
As you know, dd and I took care of the rabbits at the weekend. We have never kept rabbits and so I didn't previously know very much about them or their care requirements. When we arrived home, the first thing I noticed was that the hutch appears to be too small for the rabbits to live in. I could see that they were trying to stretch out but were unable to do so and when I lifted the lid of the hutch, they both tried to jump out. I have a very large indoor rabbit cage (which is one of our spare guinea pig cages) which I decided to put them in for the weekend. It's still not big enough for them but at least they could stretch out fully, hop around and be able to turn around unhindered. I covered the cage partially so that they felt safe. It was very interesting to watch their behaviour and I realised they are complex and intelligent creatures. I also realised they don't like being lifted up, so I did not allow my children to do this, we stroked them instead which they seemed to prefer.
I decided to do some research to find out about rabbit care. I found some information which suggests that moving rabbits around all the time is not good for their physical or mental wellbeing and that they can become very sick as a result. I understand that all the children, including my daughter love the rabbits and want to take them home and pet them. However, I'm wondering if it would be safer for them if they were to remain on site at the weekends to be fed and looked after by volunteers. I, for one would be quite happy to do this although I don't know what arrangements could be made with the caretaker. I also think that when they do need to go home with someone, it should be someone who can meet their care needs properly and perhaps limited to those people who have already kept rabbits as pets, have suitable housing space and runs etc or perhaps a member of staff. Since rabbits are prey animals, they often hide signs of illness until it is too late to help them so I think it would benefit them to have some consistency in their care routine so that if they become ill it is picked up sooner rather than later.
Returning to the issue of the hutch size, I understand that the rabbits have a nice enclosed area for them to run around in at school. But when they are inside their hutch it is very important for them to be able to lie down, fully outstretched while they are resting, do 3-4 consecutive hops and to stretch upwards without their ears touching the roof of the hutch. If they are not able to do these things, they may develop problems with their spines and skeletal structure. They may also become angry and aggressive when petted. I found information on housing here: www.therabbithouse.com/guide_size.asp
I have decided to order a bigger hutch for the rabbits to be delivered to school asap. It will be from a company called 'Home and Roost' and will be a hutch that is endorsed by the Rabbit Welfare Association. This will be a donation from DD and me to the school. Since we don't currently donate to an animal charity, it seems to me that this is an appropriate thing to do. They will then have a suitable hutch size and an outdoor area. Please understand that I am trying to help and offer whatever support I can and I would like to help the rabbits have long and happy lives for their sake and for the sake of the children and staff at school. I therefore hope that this will be ok.
Kind regards,
LottieandMia