Can a hare be kept as a pet?

[crouchingtigeress]

My sister bought what she thought (and was told) was a rabbit. But has since been told by friends that it is a hare, I myself cannot tell the difference.

Here's the evidence:
It resembles the pictures of hares we've seen on the internet,in that it is brown/ grey, it's ears stand up and it hasn't got a lil' fluffy tail.

It is growing very big in the 2 weeks she has had it.

It seems very restless and aggressive.

If it is a hare, can she still keep it?

[brockleberry]

William Cowper the 18th century poet kept 3 hares in his house, he left an account of his experience - www.cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/mw_tame_hares.pdf
Sounds like they really wouldn't make good pets for children !

[oakleaffy]

Phew! Jolly glad this wasn't a Hare..this popped up while I was googling Hares.
Hares are magnificent animals, large orb like amber eyes, and black tipped ears.
Once you have ''your eye in'' it is easy to spot Hares in a large field.
Once, walking with a rescued Lurcher, a Whippet and a collie, we saw a magnificent Hare crouched in a field, hidden by a slight bank from the hounds.
We caught the dogs, and Amber Eyes the Hare kept one huge eye on us...but she did not break her cover.
Had she lost confidence and bolted, the dogs would have chased.
I have never been so close to a hare, it was a beauty.
We left the hare in peace, the dogs didn't notice her, they look for movement.
They are quite magical creatures, much wilder than bunnies.

[hunkermunker]

Oh, wow! They get HUGE!

[WigWamBam]

Oh gosh, I'll bet that's not what they were expecting!

Glad you got it sorted out in the end.

[expatinscotland]

The rabbit, that is. She was called 'Ginger'.

[expatinscotland]

I knew someone who had one of those. She was HUGE! I mean, really big. She was 14 kg in fact.

[crouchingtigeress]

Hello all
We eventually found a suitable vet who confirmed Gismo is a giant flemish RABBIT,who will get much bigger. So i think a bigger hutch is in order. Thank you all for your advice.

[crouchingtigeress]

Thank you again for all the advice. I think we'll try ringing the vet to check if they'll be able to help, if not I'll mail a picture to the Rabbit association. That seems the best course of action, I think.

[sarjon]

Agree with you tiredvet, it really needs to be ascertained just what breed of rabbit it is or if indeed it is a hare before the rspca would get involved.

Fingers crossed that it isn't a hare wwb, as indeed very cruel to the hare - brings up all sorts of questions such as where the hare was bred (or caught?? can you catch a hare that easily???)

[tiredvet]

i suppose i was thinking that we needed to Id correctly that it IS a hare first, then if it is from a pet shop then if it was a "wild hare" that shouldn't be sold, then the RSPCA amy be interested in the pet shop.
I was just trying to help crouchingtigress check if the animal WAS hare, then take it from there if necessary.

[WigWamBam]

lapsedvet, do you not think that a pet shop selling hares as rabbits classes as cruelty to the hares?

[tiredvet]

rabbitpeople

[lapsedvet]

changed my name for this as don't want to divulge my profession. I am a vet and i'm afraid i would be terribly up on rabbit breeds to tell you the truth.
There's a house rabbit association who may well be a ble to help you decide if this is a hare or not.
I'm not sure that every vet will know tgo tell you the truth. You should give your local guys a call and ask over the phone if anyone has an interest in rabbits etc. And ask them how much a consultation will be.
I am also not sure that the rspca will be able help you, they are busy trying to sort out cruelty cases etc.
I will try to post a link to the rabbit people, maybe you can e mail them a photo.
(maybe you can poist a photo and let me knwo if it is a hare or not - i am a bit embarrassed!!)

I will try to find a link for you.
BTW I can't believe how long this thread has been going on for!!

[WigWamBam]

Can you ring the RSPCA and ask them for advice?

[lunachic]

i would imagine vet would charge a consultation fee of about 20 pounds

[sarjon]

I hope you manage to sort it out. I really don't think you can sell actual hares in a petshop but as belgian hares are a breed of bunny then they are ok to sell.

I think it will depend on your vet as to whether they will charge or not - probably a good idea to get the bunny(/hare??!) checked out anyway!!

Good luck!!

[crouchingtigeress]

Thanks for comments everyone.
Sarjon, I did a search on grey haired rabbits last night and I must say the Belgian hare breed of rabbit does resemble Gismo. However we will have to bring it to vet for a double check. I wonder if they charge.

Will keep you posted.

[Blu]

Horseshoe - how did it take your neighbours finger off?

[georginars]

report them to the RSPCA! Or whoever - trading standards, police? - if it is a hare. As I'm sure it hasn't been either bred or obtained in a kind way

[morningpaper]

Royal Hare Stew by Keith Floyd

That'll save a trip to the vets...

[tarantula]

lol EIS A nice stew or even jugged yummy.

Sorry MMH But it is ......scuttled off back to her web

[madmarchhare]

expat!

[expatinscotland]

You could always eat it for dinner

[Toothache]

I 2nd what starlover said about being able to tell the difference between a rabbit and hare. I think they are very different in shape and size.

[starlover]

you can keep hares as pets. my friend had a lovely one when we were little!
you can definitely tell the difference between a hare and a rabbit... others have already said the difference.
if she isn't sure i echo what others have said... take it to the vets

rabbits CAN be restless and aggressive... that isn't an indication of it not being one. rabbits also come in grey/brown and have ears that stand up!