A campaign to educate the public on the devastating effects taking rabbits to events has on both the rabbits and rabbit welfare in Scotland.
Taking rabbits in person to events is not a pro-welfare practise.
|
* Rabbits are fragile prey animals who do not cope well out of their own habitat. They are nervous animals who are sensitive to strange smells and sounds. * Rabbits do not like being handled, picked up and are not toys to be used for entertainment. It does not benefit this species socially to interact with strangers or children. * Petting zoos are a business, meaning they are willing to exploit animals for financial gain and do not have the animals interests at heart. |
|
The Public's Perception
The biggest issue taking rabbits to shopping centres, children's parties and other events is the inevitable: "Mum, I want a rabbit!" which ensues after seeing the rabbits.
Why is this such a problem?
Scotland has now reached crisis point with rabbits being dumped and given up to rescue centres.
The number 1 reason: being purchased on a whim for children. Rabbits are not good pets for children and are often subjected to being kept alone in a hutch/cage which is too small, resulting in frustrated and aggressive behaviour. 8 out of 10 rabbits bought are given up in the first year, leading to a huge amount of abandoned and neglected rabbits.
By having rabbits at events, this directly contributes to the rising crisis as more rabbits are purchased on a whim.
Why is this such a problem?
Scotland has now reached crisis point with rabbits being dumped and given up to rescue centres.
The number 1 reason: being purchased on a whim for children. Rabbits are not good pets for children and are often subjected to being kept alone in a hutch/cage which is too small, resulting in frustrated and aggressive behaviour. 8 out of 10 rabbits bought are given up in the first year, leading to a huge amount of abandoned and neglected rabbits.
By having rabbits at events, this directly contributes to the rising crisis as more rabbits are purchased on a whim.
Health & Safety Concerns
Rabbits carry a number of pathogens and parasites including E. cuniculi. This can be transmitted to humans and children, a serious risk of potentially serious disease in immunocompromised individuals.
Rabbits are also susceptible to picking up the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica (commonly known as Kennel Cough) from areas where dogs have been, which can cause them fatal breathing complications.
Rabbits are also susceptible to picking up the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica (commonly known as Kennel Cough) from areas where dogs have been, which can cause them fatal breathing complications.
How does the event directly impact the welfare of the rabbits in attendance?
Rabbits will nip as a way to communicate and will also bite when feeling threatened. What happens when a child or senior is bitten? Panic may cause them to drop or lash out at the rabbit, leading to a fatal injury. With extremely fragile bones and the inability to flex their spine, one drop is enough to snap a leg or back. The risk of fatal fractures when children are around rabbits is extremely high.
You may be told, "these rabbits are very social and friendly". Social, friendly rabbits will freely express their feelings including nipping, grunting, thumping and avoidance behaviour. When irritated and frustrated, unable to leave or avoid conflict, rabbits will become defensive and protective of their territory.
When rabbits are unable to get away and repeatedly forced to interact, this causes "learned helplessness" in which the rabbit displays a state of pure fear. This may appear to be a happy calm rabbit, but is a rabbit who has given up fighting a predator and is shut down. Seeing a dog or puppy in this shut down state causes distress to the public, yet many are unable to identify the same behaviour in rabbits. A rabbit lying still and unresponsive when being handled is a shut down rabbit, with extremely compromised welfare.
From a welfare perspective, there are no benefits to the rabbits in any way to be presented as toys to children or the elderly. The negative impact it directly has on their health and welfare stays with them.
Welfare led alternatives - for parents
Teach children to be responsible animal guardians instead of using animals as entertainment.
* Look for events being run by animal rescues and sanctuaries - what about going to a meet & greet at a sanctuary where you will get to learn about the animals and see them in their happy home habitats where they feel comfortable. Here in Scotland there are some amazing sanctuaries you can visit!
* Foster some bunnies over Easter - there's no better way to get involved with bunnies than by having some stay with you. There are currently thousands of rabbits in Scotland looking for homes and you can make a real difference by fostering one. Short term fostering can be really rewarding but is less commitment and won't result in rabbits being purchased then given up later on. You'll have the support of the charity, so you won't have any bills to pay either.
* Why not take them somewhere that there are an abundance of wild rabbits and do a drawing/painting task, see if they can draw a wild rabbit. There is no better rabbits to quietly observe than wild ones, they are incredible!
* Why not ask your local girl guides or scouts groups to put on an education based event and get one of the Scottish rabbit rescues to attend and do a welfare talk? We have an excellent education programme called "think like a rabbit" which teaches young children all about bunny behaviour and how to safely interact with rabbits. We can even offer arts & crafts activities where children can learn how to make free enrichment toys for small animals.
* What about some colouring in sheets and puzzles with rabbit welfare messages. Where can you get those? We have designed lots and they are available to download and use for free, or you can pick one up at any of our stalls.
* Foster some bunnies over Easter - there's no better way to get involved with bunnies than by having some stay with you. There are currently thousands of rabbits in Scotland looking for homes and you can make a real difference by fostering one. Short term fostering can be really rewarding but is less commitment and won't result in rabbits being purchased then given up later on. You'll have the support of the charity, so you won't have any bills to pay either.
* Why not take them somewhere that there are an abundance of wild rabbits and do a drawing/painting task, see if they can draw a wild rabbit. There is no better rabbits to quietly observe than wild ones, they are incredible!
* Why not ask your local girl guides or scouts groups to put on an education based event and get one of the Scottish rabbit rescues to attend and do a welfare talk? We have an excellent education programme called "think like a rabbit" which teaches young children all about bunny behaviour and how to safely interact with rabbits. We can even offer arts & crafts activities where children can learn how to make free enrichment toys for small animals.
* What about some colouring in sheets and puzzles with rabbit welfare messages. Where can you get those? We have designed lots and they are available to download and use for free, or you can pick one up at any of our stalls.
Welfare led alternatives - for businesses/events organisers
* Consider inviting a welfare led organisation to attend your event - if this is a rabbit / Easter themed event - what about a local rabbit rescue who can feature rabbits for adoption or an arts & crafts activity. Many welfare organisations will also have programmes they can offer including welfare talks about rabbit care.
* If you are specifically looking for animals to attend your event - choose one of the wonderful charities who have animals that are capable and suited to meeting members of the public and who enjoy this experience. Please find a list below of Scottish organisations who can attend with animals for therapy/educational purposes and are welfare led.
* If you are specifically looking for animals to attend your event - choose one of the wonderful charities who have animals that are capable and suited to meeting members of the public and who enjoy this experience. Please find a list below of Scottish organisations who can attend with animals for therapy/educational purposes and are welfare led.
- PAT - Information for Establishments | Pets As Therapy
- Guide dogs - Guide Dogs Scotland | Guide Dogs
- Fostering compassion - Talks and Presentations | Fostering Compassion
- Therapy ponies - Therapy Ponies Scotland
