Animal Planet supports rabbit abandonment???

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clevername

clevername

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I recently viewed and episode of Animal Cops Houston in which a group of rabbits were rescued and “rehabilitated”. The rehabilitator seemed on the right track, she cared for the rabbits, raised them back to health and fixed them. But at the end of the episode these domesticated rabbits were released into her backyard--seemingly for good with no barriers or shelter to protect them from the elements. I'm appalled by this!
Domesticated rabbits have been bred for hundreds of years and consciously developed into the rabbits we have today. They are in no way properly equipped to survive in a wild environment and a chill ran up my spine as I witnessed a bright white dwarf rabbit frolick off into an open field on this show. That-rabbit-is-hawk-food.
Have any of you seen this episode? What are your opinions on the subject?

PS- I'm voicing my concern to Animal Planet through their feedback page. If you'd like to do so as well you can follow this link. http://extweb.discovery.com/viewerrelations


 
WHOA! Seriously? That's awful!

I didn't happen to catch that episode, but I'm DEFINATLY going to be giving them a word or two about this.
 
I've seen this episode before. The rabbit hoarder with dozens of rabbits roaming the house and breeding, mostly small breeds right? The rehabilitator runs a rabbit sanctuary where spayed/neutered rabbits live together in a large, enclosed outdoor area. There's no ceiling to the area which was my biggest problem but I swear I saw a fence around the perimeter. My other issue was that none of the rabbits were shown being put up for adoption or in rescues that would adopt them out. They totally missed a chance to educate the public there.

However, I am in favor of rabbit sanctuaries like this. I find them preferable to euthanasia and they're also great homes for spayed/neutered feral rabbits that can't be tamed.

Here's an example of a well-known rabbit sanctuary that houses 600+ rescued feral rabbits. This sanctuary also takes in and rehomes pet rabbits, keeping them in a separate indoor area.
http://www.rabbitsanctuary.org/residents/reno_500_002.php
 
Hm, well the definitely sounds a little better. However I saw no fence in this 'sanctuary' if it really was one. They had a rather nice set up in the first holding pen but later in the show the rabbits were 'set free' in a yard which looked very empty and open--not safe.

I still can't bring myself to agree with this method. Domesticated rabbits are domesticated rabbits for a reason. I have to wonder how sanctuaries deal with issues like fighting, predators and illness if the rabbits aren't under constant human care and observation... Also if these animals are to be adopted, they will have to be socialized with humans all over again. I see a lot of holes in this idea.
 
I agree that it's not an ideal situation but with the number of rabbits a lot of them would probably have been euthanized if they hadn't been taken into the sanctuary. Usually sanctuaries like this don't adopt out at all, or if they do then adoptable rabbits are caged and kept separate, like at the Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary.

I don't know how the sanctuary in Texas runs but others are generally able to separate and/or live trap and confine rabbits that appear ill so they can be treated. I've seen some discussion on that at Best Friends, which headed up the gigantic rescue that Great Lakes' feral rabbits came from. So the rabbits do get vet treatment, can't breed due to spay/neuter, and are usually fed healthy diets and have large areas to roam and play. Considering the alternative I can't really argue against it.
 
Clevername, do you happen to know the name/number of that episode? I would like to see if I can find it on YouTube, unfortuantly I don't have Animal Planet.
 
That is awful that they wouldn't give them any shelter! I really hope there was a fence! I agree that they should put the rabbits up for adoption!
 
I've seen that episode a few times. The episode was called "Rampant Rabbits" from 2005 or 2006. The santuary was located in Northern Texas. I don't think the Houston SPCA would have place these rabbits in a situation worse then where they came from. I think they are very careful, at least from what I've seen in various episodes, where they place "feral" animals.
 
I remembered that the sanctuary is located in San Antonio. It is called the Retired Rabbit Sanctuary. I went on the Animal Planet website to look that up.

The rabbits were slowly introduced into the sanctuary grounds.Therabbits that were sick or had parasites were given a chance to recover beforebeing released. I believe they said they were given a worming medication. I think they said it was a herbal type. Ididn't hear mention of a vet.
 
In all reality instances where euthanasia is the only other option I guess the sanctuary is an okay idea. But this show had a group of rabbits who were clearly socialized with humans. They even had them on their couch with children for a photo shoot. Why couldn't they just keep them as regular pet rabbits with people who are actively caring for them?

The open pasture seems very niave and unsafe. Rabbits are domesticated prey animals they need human attention and care.
 
Half of me hates the idea, and half of me likes it.

I have a relative with a caged rabbit, and a free roaming outdoor rabbit. Sam, who has been running around her yard for a few years now, is as happy as could be. He doesn't seem to mind the lack of human attention at all. He socialising with neighbouring cats, and he gets to eat a lot of natural foods. But he's a fatty and he never gets vet care so I really have an issue with that, as he has had a poopy bottom a lot and fur loss from it (as he is still fed too many pellets).

Partly I think it's great to see rabbits running about in a more wild situation, but you are also right in that they are domesticated and do need human care. However I also feel sorry for rabbits that never get to go outside and play 'wild' sometimes, so I'm not sure how I really feel on the topic.

I do think that it's better to be running around in a yard and being alive and neutered, than not having a chance at life at all, and in some circumstances rabbits can live happily like this, as long as nothing snatches them up and eats them :?.
 
Don't get me wrong I -love- the idea of an outdoor rabbit run (we're even building one for our little guys), but somebody needs to be out there watching them like a responsible caregiver.
 
I have witness, first hand, the Houston SPCA's attitude toward rabbits and I have not been pleased. They are getting "better" but only because the local rabbit rescue keeps an eye on them, somewhat, and that's only in the last 18 months or so. From my experience, it's a miracle that the HSPCA didn't just euthanize ALL of the rabbits as soon as they hit the door. They probably didn't ONLY because the camera was rolling. I'm not exaggerating, either.

Instead of contacting Animal Planet, I suggest you contact the Houston SPCA! They need to know that rabbits are valued companions!

Their contact page is: http://www.houstonspca.org/site/PageNavigator/about_us_contact_us

I suggest that you send your email to Patricia E. Mercer, the President of HSPCA. A reminder that rabbits are the third most popular pet in the U.S. coming in at over 6 million would be a good thing.
 
:biggrin2:Just a bit of Clearity. WHen that origanally aired in 2002 we were release the buns onto the front of our 3acers. At this time we care for over 60 rabbits. From No NOO BAD BUNNY {35lbs Flemish Giant} to
Linda Sue & Bucky {5.5lbs Angora couple with Bad Malocclusion }. All share an enclosure of
50'x75' {6’ high fence with non-climb wire and 1”x1” wire wrapping the bottom to prevent Predators} and are well contained in various covered pens, with guard dogs that roam the 35acres that surround them & attack anything or anybody that come to close to "The Masters" or our residents and aerial deterrents. They are fed a special mixture of High Protein and a verity of Treats, this blend has been mixed & developed here at The Retired Rabbit
Sanctuary and is not available to the public. We have been inspected and approved by the Humane Society, The Animal Defense League, Wild Life Rescue, State Wildlife &
Management and San Antonio Animal Car Services. We have had other positive News Stories done on us by San Antonio Express News {Which was picked up on the AP Wire & shown around the country & 6 other Countries}, also Fox News & a National Talk Show will feature us in mid October. We protect our buns at all cost. Those that need special care, VET care or indoor living get it.

Please LIKE us at http://www.facebook.com/TheRetiredRabbitSanctuary and visit our website www.retiredrabbits.org
 
pla725 wrote:
I remembered that the sanctuary is located in San Antonio. It is called the Retired Rabbit Sanctuary. I went on the Animal Planet website to look that up.

The rabbits were slowly introduced into the sanctuary grounds.Therabbits that were sick or had parasites were given a chance to recover beforebeing released. I believe they said they were given a worming medication. I think they said it was a herbal type. Ididn't hear mention of a vet.
Click to expand...
gotta say, I'm not a fan of that place, as I couldn't find shelters in SA with bunnies and the rabbit sanctuary won't adopt out rabbits - I would've loved to adopt a pair, but ended up having to go through a breeder. their excuse was "too many rabbits got returned"... but it seems like screening potential adopters would prevent a lot of that. if you don't adopt out, then people have to go through breeders and pet stores and if they were going to end up returning adopted rabbits then they're just as likely to surrender new rabbits purchased through stores/breeders. I don't see why surrendered rabbits can't be given a second chance to find a loving home.
 
We are working with the Humane Society and Animal Care Services to develop a program.

Our "excuse" was not that to many got returned... The fact is that we were called out to rescue Rabbits that we had previously adopted out and the new parents turned them lose when they could not handle the buns attitudes.

If they had called us to bring them back, we would have been glad to.

We should not judge all potential adoptees, by the dozen or so that failed to love & care for the precious creatures. By the same nature I ask for you not to judge us since we are protecting these buns from other harmful places.

This week we rescued several that were sold, traded or adopted off of Craigslist as snake food. Our only goal is to protect the ones that we have been give the privilege to care for and rescue as many as we can.

We are so glad that you found a pair of bunnies & love them so very much.
 
It would have been nice if the show was a bit more clear on how the sanctuary protects and provides for the rabbits. I don't like people getting the idea it is ok to just let a domestic rabbit free.

Retired Rabbits- I would love to hear more about your program, it sounds wonderful. Yes it would be ideal if every rabbit had a specific human to spoil them, but there simply are not enough responsible homes. It sounds like you are providing a great alternative to euthanasia, they at least get to have a life.

Perhaps if everyone contacted their local SPCA with a reminder how beloved rabbits are and to spay/neuter before adopting out, then it can help the community at large. I talk about my rabbits to anyone who will listen, but I make sure to get in about having them fixed being key to a good house pet. So many people are shocked by that.

I would love to see Animal Planet do a show about rabbit rescue and what great house pets they are. Where's "Rabbits 101"?
 
I also wanted to add. Have you ever been to the houston SPCA? I have been a billion times mostly just to look because its 15 minutes from my house. They are in no way rabbit friendly not to mention that they are already packed full but what shelter isnt. Everytime i go i look at buns (im curious about what they call certain breeds) in the small dog kennels. Yes i said kennels. They rescue what they can and try to adopt what they can but in no way could have taken so many rabbits and adopted them all out. Even though im not a huge fan of the spca (becausethey denied my volunteer application when i was 16 or 17 i have a grudge lol) i dont like to see their name slandered
 
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