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Adopt A Bunny | |||||
I want a pet bunny rabbit ...I thinkIs A Bunny Right For Me?So you're pretty sure you need a bunny of your own ah? I don't blame you... but I feel I must offer a word of caution out of concern. Every year, countless rabbits are given to children, usually on Easter, because they are undeniably cute and a child really wants one. Unfortunately many of these same rabbits are later neglected and abandoned or placed in an outdoor hutch and forgotten. I don't see rabbits as "disposable pets" and I hope you don't either.
I Should Only Get A Baby Bunny Right?Wrong. Most people are under the impression that the younger the rabbit is when you get it, the better pet it will make. But the flip side to this argument is the fact that it is nearly impossible to judge the personality of a very young bunny. When you meet an older rabbit it is generally far easier to determine their personality. Don't avoid adopting an older bunny simply because you think that training them from day one guarantees they'll be the perfect pet. Purchasing A Pet Rabbit From A BreederIt won't take long before you hear horror stories about breeders. Due to the numerous unwanted rabbits placed in shelters, pet lovers often see the breeder as the enemy. In reality, not all breeders are the same. Commonly referred to as "backyard breeders" some people breed for no other reason than to see cute little babies born. Now I understand the thrill here but anyone who considers breeding for fun should ask themselves "who will care for all the babies?". Do you want 10 pet rabbits in your home? I doubt it. Irresponsible, pointless breeding is the reason people condemn breeders as a whole, they are contributing to a rabbit population that is already bursting at the seams. If there are far more bunnies available than there are people to adopt them what do you think becomes of them? A reputable show breeder not only cares for the rabbits they breed, they also avoid breeding rabbits who have known health issues or show aggressive behavior. The fact is, the reputable breeder has improved the breed in most cases.
I am in no way trying to convince anyone to go to a breeder for their pet rabbit, my first recommendation would be to check your local shelter first, particularly if this is your first rabbit. However, the reason I went to a breeder was simple...from 1989 to 1999 I had never had a rabbit who lived to the age of 3. Thankfully knowledge has improved as has available medical treatment for common illnesses. While purchasing from a breeder is no guarantee of course, a reputable breeder places great value on their rabbits and could not afford to be breeding sick rabbits. It was a real blessing indeed when I brought home Scoobie from Saynora Rabbitry and he lived to the ripe old age of 9. He died from kidney failure and until the time of his death had never exhibited nor been treated for any illness, truly a rare and remarkable bunny! Pet Store or Rabbit Rescue?Personally I hate to see bunnies in pet stores. It encourages impulse purchases and it also gives backyard breeders a place to sell their rabbits. Most of the time the average pet store employee knows very little, if anything, about pet rabbits. Another "device" of Pet Stores is to sell bunnies that are far too young to be taken from their mother. Cuteness sells allot of rabbits! And taking a bunny from it's mother too young is a formula for health issues. A Rabbit Rescue can assist you with choosing just the right rabbit(s) for you.
Who do you think cares more about
rabbits ...a Pet Store who wants your money (and is willing to sell
rabbits that are too young to be safely separated from their mother or
as snake food) or
a Rabbit Rescue volunteer giving of their own time and own resources
to try
and find a bunny a new home?
Whatever choice you make obtaining your pet rabbit, I hope that you take the time to get to know and accept your pet bunny for who he/she is and enjoy many wonderful years together.
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