Becknutt
Well-Known Member
[font="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size=+2]Community Newsroom: Rabbits are often the forgotten pet [/size][/font]
[font="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"]Contributed by cheryl rosenthal [/font]
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[font="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"]Rabbits often become the forgotten pet. Right now OAHS has 7 domesticated rabbits looking for homes. Just like dogs and cats, rabbits are brought to the shelter by their owners or are found outside as strays. Rabbits abandoned outside are really heart-wrenching to OAHS staff, especially during the winter months. Domesticated rabbits "set free" by their owners cannot fend for themselves. They cannot turn into free-range rabbits and learn how to survive "in the wild." Wild rabbits or free-range rabbits do not adapt well to captivity. [/font][/font]
[font="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][font="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"]Rabbits belong to a group of animals called the lagomorphs, which includes both domesticated and wild rabbits. Rabbits are not rodents. Free-ranging or wild rabbits live in underground burrows, something a domesticated rabbit has never heard of. [/font][/font]
[font="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][font="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"]Domesticated rabbits are gentle, quiet animals and make excellent pets. They appreciate human interactions and have varied personalities. Just like other companion animals, rabbits need proper housing, a balanced diet, and toys to keep them occupied and veterinary care. Rabbits can live an average of 8 to 12 years and require as much attention as a cat or dog. Like most companion animals, the more time spent socializing with a bunny, the friendlier and more bonded it will become towards its guardian.[/font][/font]
[font="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][font="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"]Unfortunately for some bunnies, their guardians don't make a life-time commitment and these docile creatures end up outside with no defenses. Unless they are rescued by a Good Samaritan and brought to the animal shelter many of these submissive animals suffer miserably and die. [/font][/font]
[font="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][font="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"]Yes, rabbits make great pets. They are a wonderful way to introduce children to the world of responsible pet ownership. However, just as you would give a lot of thought and consideration to bringing home a cat or dog as a new family member, the same level of commitment needs to be made when it comes to adopting a domestic rabbit.[/font][/font]
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To learn more about rabbits as pets visit our web site at www.oahs.org or The House Rabbit Society at www.rabbit.org.
Don't forget to attend our Fur-Ever Memories Gallery showing this coming Saturday at OAHS, 1925 Shelter Ct. Oshkosh, from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information call 303-3166.
Those Two Bunnies Above in Pic
Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:40 pm
Those are two lovely Japanese Harlequin rabbits above in the pic - an old French breed. Very lively, funny, smart and quite a challenge since they have so much energy. Anyone would be lucky to adopt this pair. They need lots of room to run. My 10 year old Harlequin rabbit is still a kick.
Info on Rabbits
Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:35 pm
Just to clarify - wild rabbits in Wisconsin are normally cottontails or they are possibly a "snowshoe hare" which is a cousin. They don't live in "underground burrows." The cottontails live in shallow burrows in thickets of vegetation and even sometimes give birth right on the surface of a lawn.
Domesticated Rabbits are all descendants of European Rabbits - all 45 breeds (Oryctolagus cuniculus) they were domesticated possibly even farther back than the ancient Romans. These are the rabbits that build elaborate warrens several feet deep and live in large communities- think Watership Down. They are prey for everything when abandoned outside to fend for themselves. Although they are not passive when confronted by a predator like the article says - they are just ill-equipped to deal with a predator having been pets up until being dumped outside.
When these domesticated rabbits are abandoned outside and enough of them are in one area they will breed and are considered "feral rabbits," not "wild" rabbits. Female domesticated rabbits have a gestation period of 31 days and can conceive the same day they give birth. They hit puberty around 3 to 4 months old - so you do the math - a feral colony can grow fast even with predation.
Domesticated rabbits cannot produce offspring with cottontails or hares - they have a different number of chromosomes. In fact, wild rabbits will fight with and give disease to the already stressed "ex-pets" causing them even more misery.
Never ever buy an "Easter Bunny" on impulse - they are a lot more work than dogs or cats. They are considered exotics and their vets bills are double that of a dog or cat. (neutering and spaying is highly recommended) They need a very large cage, exercise time out of the cage, supervision with other pets, a special diet of hay and safe vegetables for their digestive system to work properly. They can be trained to use a litter box, can learn their names and many different words like "treat," "no," "scoot," etc. Plus, they have a "purr" when they are happy which is lightly grinding their teeth. They are hardly docile if they are healthy when out for exercise in the house. Domesticated rabbits will jump, spin and hop, race around, and chew on household furniture that is not "bunny-proofed." They are a handful and wonderful pets, but understand what you are getting into since they have very different needs than a cat or dog. Also, their backbones are fragile so if a child drops one that is struggling (they are ground dwellers by nature) a broken back can result easily enough.
A rabbit stuck in a small outdoor hutch averages a lifespan of 2 years without social interaction with another rabbit (they bond for life) or humans, without plenty of exercise, a proper diet, and vet care from a vet who has training and understands their medical needs. Bring one in the house and they can live 10 to 12 years.
I live with 4 domesticated rabbits with the youngest being 7 years old. They are "hare"larious and very affectionate pets with a lot of "rabbitude."
