BabyBunnies wrote:
To Everyone
I understand what you hgave all been saying but I cannot get Fluffball spayed now becuase we don't have enough money.
I do not get why people keep moaning at me - how was i supposed to know that Dippy was a buck? I beleived the breeder, but at least I decided to check and see if he was a buck instead of just ignoring the humping thing becuase sometimes they do that to show dominance.
Fluffball might not even be pregnant and if she is I have Tracy (Flashy) and a vet on emergency dial.
Also I am not biast, I beleive strongly in my avatar and want to make a difference to overflowing shelters.
If Fluffball is pregnant and the kits and her are ok I have prepared some questions for the people who want them to answer:
1. Have you had a rabbit(s) before?
2. What sort of housing will you keep them in?
3. Do you have enough time to be able to: cuddle, stroke, feed water the rabbits and clean the cages often?
I really don't know what else I can do I have tried my best but remember most of the people on here are 10,20,30 years older than me (I'm only 12) and you have had a lot of experience this is why people come on RO for help, so please help me
You're 12... so I'm 20 years older than you. :faint:
I think it's awesome that you understand the overpopulation problem and I love the avatar because it's such a stark reminder as to those in need.
As for people "moaning at you... we understand your age and how that can set limitations on money, but this:
- even if she isn't this time when she is old enough we are going to let her get pregnant.
YAY
is what people generally have a hard time with.
I guess if she isn't pregnant now you could consider yourself lucky (and her as well).
Since you have a cage on loan, you could easily keep them seperated thus ending a possible pregnancy. The way it sounds though, even if she isn't now - you'd like for her to be later on.
To me it would just be easier to seperate them and save up to have her spayed instead of somewhat planning to let them have a litter.
Not everyone on here has rabbits that are spayed and neutered, and opposite sexes can and do live in the same households. Perhaps some of your questions could also be about housing/care of unfixed animals (for the time being) so you could get input about how to successfully keep Dippy and Fluffball happy and without a litter if it's not already too late.
There are great reasons to breed, and there are great reasons not to. At 12 years old and without finances for a spay I'd be concerned about general and overall costs a single litter could incur.
Just starting out with pet bunnies, I'd consider not allowing the two in question to breed because vet trips can be necessary, trips that could cost more than a simple spay.
If you do definately decide to breed rabbits there are wonderful people here who could be your mentors. I'm sure many would be willing to help you along the way in a positive manner.
With these guys though, I say let them be pets - get used to having rabbits. You've got Nibbles, the senior, so you're learning about elder bunny care. With Dippy and Fluffball you are at a perfect age to learn about general rabbit care before jumping in to the more complicated issues of raising litters, responsibly rehoming litters, taking back rejected pets you've placed - and any emergency or non-emergency vetting that may crop up.
Like I said at the beginning, I'm 20 years older than you and I never really had a desire to have a rabbit. We had one when I was a kid, sure, and as an adult I honestly considered them to be "kids pets" - little animals that were great because they were caged and easy to care for - not with a very short lifespan, but not a long lifetime commitment either. It never even crossed my mind in the beginning that a person would take one to a *gasp* vet! because they are "caged animals". And my goodnesss, a well cared for rabbit can live upwards of 10 years!!
I joined after I was given 3 rabbits by a well meaning neighbor, and things have really blossomed since then. My whole lifestyle has been altered due to my growing admiration of the animals and I'm in awe of the knowledge of people about these (not so) simple creatures.
It's taken me almost a year to find my niche in the rabbit world, and by a chance adoption of two splay legged bunnies I've found it - I enjoy the care and compassion I give and receive to the more special needs ones.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, get to know your rabbits for who they are and what they can offer at different stages of their lives. There is so much to consider, so much to learn - and above all, so much to enjoy. Breeding can come later, and believe me - when you want to take that step you'll know if the time is right and if you're truely prepared.
I would LOVE to have a houseful of bunnies. Absolutely. But, with less than a year of rabbit ownership under my belt - I couldn't begin to imagine what I'd want to accomplish in breeding. I don't have time to show rabbits, I wouldn't be able to purposefully sell for meat - Rabbits in my area are KNOWN as meat animals so selling or rehoming would always be a gamble, or "worse" I'd get in over my head with litters I wouldn't/couldn't sell.
All of that I take into consideration and I am an adult. I own my own home, have a self supporting job and vehicle, am free to make my own decisions with noone to tell me what to do... but more importantly... with only myself to depend on when it comes to making decisions that will need financial backing.
Talk with your parents, let them help you decide and guide you. The more you learn here the better. But remember, what we say is meant in the most positive manner. We care for you and your bunnies even though we don't know each other face-to-face. And of course, as an online rabbit community, we'll give you guidance and support - and maybe gentle nudges when we see things from age and experience that that haven't occured in your situation yet.
