JadeIcing
Well-Known Member
I finally read the whole article and plan on posting my POV when I get home. I think people should read it again.
Is it humane to keep rabbits as pets?
- Thread starter l.lai
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DeniseJP
Well-Known Member
Happi Bun wrote:
I agree with HappiBun - while it is not normal for a horse to be ridden, mine seem to enjoy it. If they see the saddle and start coming up to me for attention rather than running away from me, I like to think that I am treating them favorably.
And Jen brought up a great rabbit example, Dotty! In her pictures I have never seen a more contented rabbit who feels at home.
My show bunny, Roxanne, will sit in my lap and relax contentedly... this being a breed I was told was "nasty." Maybe other examples of the breed were not happy with their lifestyle? Animals are not dumb and have a right to protest if they don't like something... I try to see things from their point of view and make our relationship work together, as pets and in my case, as show bunnies - even show bunnies have the right to play and binky and explore.
Denise
I honestly am speechless... though I can tell you right now that I disagree with the article. Like it or not, Rabbit's are domesticated, thus need the care of human's to survive. I know my rabbit's are happy. They are such emotional creatures, believe me you will know when they are not. Just because something isn't 'natural' that doesn't make it 'inhumane'.
Example; Some people argue riding horses is inhumane. I disagree. Certain individuals can be inhumane, some equipment when used improperly can be inhumane, but riding in general is very beneficial to horse both physically and mentally. It's not natural, but that doesn't making it wrong.
I have no doubt Rabbit's can and do live long happy lives with humans in the home. I also have no doubt that they are subjected to horrible abuse and neglect everyday at the hands of inhumane people. I've witnessed it first hand in my rescue work. While depressing and just overall tragic, I've also seen how wonderful people can be to rabbit's. The care provided to them has come a long way and made huge improvements.
The best we can do is research and familiarize ourselves with every aspect of their care to make sure we provide what they need to live happy lives. Since they are domesticated it would be inhumane to release them. So really I don't see the point of the article.
onder:
Edit to add- I do agree that Wild Rabbit's shouldn't be kept as pets and people shouldn't be caregivers to domestic bun's if they cannot provide a good quality of life.
I agree with HappiBun - while it is not normal for a horse to be ridden, mine seem to enjoy it. If they see the saddle and start coming up to me for attention rather than running away from me, I like to think that I am treating them favorably.
And Jen brought up a great rabbit example, Dotty! In her pictures I have never seen a more contented rabbit who feels at home.
My show bunny, Roxanne, will sit in my lap and relax contentedly... this being a breed I was told was "nasty." Maybe other examples of the breed were not happy with their lifestyle? Animals are not dumb and have a right to protest if they don't like something... I try to see things from their point of view and make our relationship work together, as pets and in my case, as show bunnies - even show bunnies have the right to play and binky and explore.
Denise
Wabbitdad12
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I have read the article now for the 5th time and the only point the author has is wild rabbits should not be kept as pets. The rest of the article is something that should be printed out and placed in the bottom of your rabbits litter box.
BethM
Well-Known Member
Wabbitdad12 wrote:
It certainly is frustrating to see bunnies coming into rescue in bad shape, but it is equally delightful to see bunnies living in good homes, where they are treated well. Getting a rabbit out of a bad situation and into a good situation is the reason I volunteer.
I certainly think there are some people who shouldn't keep rabbits as pets, but that is not the same as no one keeping rabbits as pets.
Agreed. It seems like the logic used in this article could also be used to say NO animals should be kept as pets, because a) some people mistreat animals; and b) the wild counterparts of the animals in question don't do well in captivity.
It certainly is frustrating to see bunnies coming into rescue in bad shape, but it is equally delightful to see bunnies living in good homes, where they are treated well. Getting a rabbit out of a bad situation and into a good situation is the reason I volunteer.
I certainly think there are some people who shouldn't keep rabbits as pets, but that is not the same as no one keeping rabbits as pets.
SablePoint
Well-Known Member
It's like the author is saying all rabbit owners harm their rabbits. BS.
This article is biased and based on experience.
Yes, there are rabbit owners who take poor care of their rabbits - but not everyone is like that.
First off, just like cats and dogs, rabbits have been domesticated for human companionship. You can't argue with that!
Instead of trying to stop the domestication of bunnies, why don't we try to focus on finding homes for abandoned ones?
You know domestic bunnies barely live a week in the wild? Science being covered with ignorance - such a pity.
This article is biased and based on experience.
Yes, there are rabbit owners who take poor care of their rabbits - but not everyone is like that.
First off, just like cats and dogs, rabbits have been domesticated for human companionship. You can't argue with that!
Instead of trying to stop the domestication of bunnies, why don't we try to focus on finding homes for abandoned ones?
You know domestic bunnies barely live a week in the wild? Science being covered with ignorance - such a pity.
