TinysMom
Well-Known Member
First of all - I want to thank everyone who visits this area. We appreciate the input we receive from both breeders & non-breeders. We have great discussions and many times y'all have made me think through what I believe.
But I need to share something...partly because I'm sick and feeling lousy and really don't want to see heated discussions going on in the rabbitry area that I have to moderate.
While we haven't yet formed an "official" forum policy - because our forum supports rescues and breeders - we do support breeding - but we support breeding that is done to enhance the breed. We support breeding that is done when the rabbits are given a good quality of life (vet visits, etc if necessary).
We are not fans of "backyard breeding" (that of putting two bunnies together just to create babies) - largely because there are so many bunnies out there in shelters that need homes. Why create more mixed breed rabbits when there are so many needing homes?
In addition - I have found through personal experience that you can breed a pet doe - and wind up losing it - or leading to a problem that shows up later on down the road. There are so many complications that can arise if you don't know what you're doing (and even if you do) - that we just don't support it or encourage it.
That doesn't mean however that we are not going to give help and advice to someone who is going to do this. We still have to put the rabbits first....even if we feel that the poster is not doing so.
What I need to remind everybody of - is the fact that while we feel passionate about our experiences, beliefs and knowledge - WE ARE NOT THE RABBIT POLICE. We are not here to MAKE people do something.
If you see a post that bothers you - I'm not saying you can't respond. I am saying that you should not attack the person ("you're stupid" or "how stupid", etc) - and I find that it really doesn't help to attack their choice.
Instead - please try to educate them. For instance, "Did you now that your doe should be over X months and under X years before you breed for the first time?"
or
"Have you thought about how often dwarfs have stuck kits that can create problems?"
You aren't pointing a finger at the person - but are instead - giving them something to think about.
It has taken me years to come to the point of reminding myself that even though I'm a moderator - I am not the rabbit police. At times I walk away from the computer in tears - or want to punch my fist through a wall - because I know someone is making a wrong choice for their rabbits.
Trust me - moderators understand how you feel!
But the point of our forum is to help the rabbits - and that is what we have to focus on - helping the rabbit the best we can - even if someone is not making the best decision.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I really am feeling lousy and won't be around much for the next 24 hours or so I think - perhaps longer. (At least I can still type - I have lost my voice).
I appreciate all of you who read and post and I hope you know that this post isn't directed at any one person...but it is a reminder I think we all need.
But I need to share something...partly because I'm sick and feeling lousy and really don't want to see heated discussions going on in the rabbitry area that I have to moderate.
While we haven't yet formed an "official" forum policy - because our forum supports rescues and breeders - we do support breeding - but we support breeding that is done to enhance the breed. We support breeding that is done when the rabbits are given a good quality of life (vet visits, etc if necessary).
We are not fans of "backyard breeding" (that of putting two bunnies together just to create babies) - largely because there are so many bunnies out there in shelters that need homes. Why create more mixed breed rabbits when there are so many needing homes?
In addition - I have found through personal experience that you can breed a pet doe - and wind up losing it - or leading to a problem that shows up later on down the road. There are so many complications that can arise if you don't know what you're doing (and even if you do) - that we just don't support it or encourage it.
That doesn't mean however that we are not going to give help and advice to someone who is going to do this. We still have to put the rabbits first....even if we feel that the poster is not doing so.
What I need to remind everybody of - is the fact that while we feel passionate about our experiences, beliefs and knowledge - WE ARE NOT THE RABBIT POLICE. We are not here to MAKE people do something.
If you see a post that bothers you - I'm not saying you can't respond. I am saying that you should not attack the person ("you're stupid" or "how stupid", etc) - and I find that it really doesn't help to attack their choice.
Instead - please try to educate them. For instance, "Did you now that your doe should be over X months and under X years before you breed for the first time?"
or
"Have you thought about how often dwarfs have stuck kits that can create problems?"
You aren't pointing a finger at the person - but are instead - giving them something to think about.
It has taken me years to come to the point of reminding myself that even though I'm a moderator - I am not the rabbit police. At times I walk away from the computer in tears - or want to punch my fist through a wall - because I know someone is making a wrong choice for their rabbits.
Trust me - moderators understand how you feel!
But the point of our forum is to help the rabbits - and that is what we have to focus on - helping the rabbit the best we can - even if someone is not making the best decision.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I really am feeling lousy and won't be around much for the next 24 hours or so I think - perhaps longer. (At least I can still type - I have lost my voice).
I appreciate all of you who read and post and I hope you know that this post isn't directed at any one person...but it is a reminder I think we all need.
.
