The plight of abandoned pet rabbits
Unfortunately, every year, many rabbit owners decide to ‘free’ their pets outdoors.
Recent reports on neighbourhood social media groups in Bedfordview and Edenvale are of rabbits, rabbits, everywhere. Rabbits are spotted on streets and in gardens, including around Glendower Golf Course.
Sadly, their lives are not happy and carefree. Unfortunately, every year, many rabbit owners decide to ‘free’ their pets outdoors. Their children may have lost interest in the baby bunny that they received as a gift when it grew into a large rabbit. They may believe their pet rabbit can survive and thrive in the wild. This is not true at all.
Setting a domestic rabbit free is an almost certain death sentence for that rabbit, said Andy Berzen, founder of The Bunny Hop Haven, a non-profit sanctuary and education centre for small animals.
“Domestic rabbits are nothing like wild rabbits. They do not have the same instincts and experience. They depend on humans for their food, shelter and care. They are not able to survive in the wild and will almost certainly die if you dump them outdoors. “They are easy prey for predators. They get killed on busy roads. If they live long enough, they get infested with horrible parasites like ticks, mites, fleas, and botflies. They get sick and diseased. They can starve.”
The Bunny Hop Haven is appealing to rabbit owners to never abandon their pets.
“It is a real issue that these bunnies are being dropped off and then they have to fend for themselves, and it’s heartbreaking,” Berzen said.
The other issue with rabbits is that they reproduce so quickly that two or three abandoned pets will soon become a colony of hundreds or even thousands of rabbits. One female rabbit can have 100 babies a year. They are only pregnant for 30 days and can breed again the day after having a litter (of between four and 12 babies).
“Hundreds of little animals that should not be outside fending for themselves will then suffer and die in numerous horrible ways.”
Before getting a pet rabbit, people should educate themselves on rabbits’ needs. They are not short-term pets as they can live up to 12 years or more. Most rabbits do not like to be picked up and held, so they are not good pets for young children. They can kick and scratch. If they live outdoors, they dig and will escape if they do not have proper housing. Rabbits need space.
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Living in a tiny, cramped hutch is a cruel fate for a rabbit. They need special food to be healthy and happy. Rabbits should be spayed or neutered, just like cats or dogs, so these costs must be considered.
“There are so many abandoned rabbits being cared for at sanctuaries like the Bunny Hop Haven. Rather bring your children to visit our rabbits and support the important work that animal rescue organisations do,” Berzen said.
The Bunny Hop Haven is located at 59 Frederick Street, Observatory. It is open from Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and on weekends and most public holidays also from 10am to 4pm.
For more information, visit The Bunny Hop Haven’s Facebook page.
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