Venting about "its just one litter!"

[Luv-bunniz]

Anybody else come across this line "Its Just One Litter!" ?

Today I was talking to a guy about breeding rabbits and he said he is gonna let his doe with a buck to get her pregnant so the conversation started:

Me: "Why will you be breeding, I thought she was a cross breed?"
Him: "She is"
Me: "so why breed her?"
Him "Because I want to"
Me: "You said you were against back yard breeding? This will technically be backyard breeding"
Him: "No it wont"
Me: "but you will be killing inocent rescue rabbit lives"
HIm "Its just one litter!"


*Argument starts, I swear my face had gone red with anger*

Me: "Look at it like this: 100 people have a rabbit each, 50 bucks, 50 does, if all those people said "its just one litter" and bred those rabbits, then it will be 50 litters, there is probably 100's, maybe 1000's of people who have said that, bred the rabbits and then produced 1000's probably more, rabbits and killed loads in the shelter"
Him: "its not like that, I'm going, bye!!!!"


:grumpy:
Ignorant? No.
Selfish? Yup!


Sorry had to vent, but I am curious as to how many people have heard the "its just one litter" excuse before?

 

[gentle giants]

I know how you feel. People being selfish and doing what they want instead of what is good for the animal is why I have so many rabbits right now.

 

[bunbunbinkie]

Sadly, I hear that way too often, not with rabbits as much, but with dogs.

I work at an animal hospital as an assistant, and it's sad just how many people "backyard breed" When I or the doctor bring up spaying/neutering at puppy visists alot of owners say, "well, I think I'll let her/him breed just once, then I'll get them fixed."

At that point the doctors usually try and talk them out of it, .."have you ever raised a litter before? Are you aware of the financial aspect of raising a litter of puppies? Have you found good homes for the puppies already? Are you planning on having your breeding dog certified for hips ect?" Most of them look at us like we have 8 heads.

I get so fired up when people act like it's no big deal to "just have one litter" when their dog, however sweet, cute, and perfect it is to them, is NOT good breeding stock what so ever.ullhair:I don't"buy" from breeders, because I don't support it. I don't condem those who breed correctlyand take theneseccary precautions, but Ifeel that there are way too many animals that need homes to go out and spend lots of $$$$ for a "purebred". ILOVE my mutt kids!:heartbeat:

 

[Luv-bunniz]

I 100% agree - my mums friend was here the other day and said "I think we are going to get another pup next year"

"and I think we will have a litter off her just to say we've had a litter off her" I just wanted to scream "YOU B**CH!!"

 

[myheart]

I agree with you bunbunbinkie. Heard it too many times with "dog people." I just want to say, "If you loved your animal that much you wouldn't put it through the 'experience'." I also get angry with the people who buy from breeders out of sympathyfor the puppies because there are so many. HELLO!!! You only perpetuate the situation by giving these "breeders" what they want -- your money. There is just too much to scream about on this topic, I had best stop now. :grumpy:

myheart

 

[Bo B Bunny]

First I want to tell you how much I understand and completely agree. I know it sometimes offends people when we really stand strong here about this.... but too bad! I think our site is very liberal in that werespect responsible breeders and have them here on the forum. If we had no breeders I'd worry about that!

I am this way with ALL animals! I recently had a little "TALK" with my mom and sister. It seems these gorgeous black fluffy kitties found a home in my mom's back yard. (sister lives with my parents) They weren't spayed and one had kittens yesterday actually! and I told them that if they don't take those girls to be spayed - I will and I won't bring them back! They are somewhatferal but I don't care! As soon as I can I am taking the one... the other is pregnant now too. :X

I'll probably end up with a kitten :foreheadsmack:

I think all pet owners need to go to the pound, and rescues to see what happens. I think it should be law.

 

[Luv-bunniz]

Bo B Bunny wrote:

First I want to tell you how much I understand and completely agree. I know it sometimes offends people when we really stand strong here about this.... but too bad! I think our site is very liberal in that werespect responsible breeders and have them here on the forum. If we had no breeders I'd worry about that!

I completely agree - "Resposible breeders" are ok if they breed for a reason like to better the breed, carry on good blood lines, breeding for show standards rather then the BYB's that the reasons are "I want baby rabbits", "I want to carry on the good tempermant genes of my rabbit", "I want rabbits with the genes of mine (colouring etc) " .

 

[seniorcats]

Luv-bunniz wrote:

:grumpy:
Ignorant? No.
Selfish? Yup!


Sorry had to vent, but I am curious as to how many people have heard the "its just one litter" excuse before?

Typical backyard 'breeder' mentality. He probably thinks he can make money off them.

It really makes me angry and sad when Ihear people trying to justify backyard 'production' by saying they have good homes lined up. Really? If someone is so desperate for a rabbit, all they have to do is look on Petfinder. Why would someone want to make more mixed breed rabbits when there are in excess of ten thousand on petfinder in the US alone?

How many time have we heard people on this forum attempt to justify deliberate mixed breeding by claiming they have good homes lined up only to have a litter and not one taker. Then the big time whining starts about 'what amI going to do with all these babies?' Then they get mad when they can't find a shelter to dump on. I think it's despicable and beyond ignorant. Ultimately the rabbits suffer while the backyard producer continues on their mindless way.

Luv-bunniz, you tried your best to educate thisperson but he sounds like a brain-dead piece of cr*p

 

[polly]

Ok ladies I understand where you are coming from but if people bought from responsible registered breeders rather than pet shops then pet shopswould not get trade therfore would not sell rabbits without giving any info or being able to even manage to sex a rabbit!!! Therefore there would not be as many unwanted babies because the shop sold a buck and a doe rather than 2 does and people would have an on hand support from any good breeder about their rabbits.

Morale of the story if some of these issues were addressed then there probably would not be as many unwanted rabbits out there!!

ANd for your interest on another forum I went on the majority of the breeders would rather if they had the money or spays/neuters were cheaper would prefer to have it done before a rabbit went to a pet home so only peole who were registered breeders would get rabbits from them for breeding and yes i would love to be able to do this in fact I have kept peoples rabbits till they have been neutered. SO please do not loop us with silly people who don't have a clue its not very fair.

No I don't agree with the just one litter it undermines everything a good breeder tries to do for their breed.

Yes it is very irresponsible but please do not go condemming us all in that bracket because we breed.

 

[seniorcats]

polly wrote:

No I don't agree with the just one litter it undermines everything a good breeder tries to do for their breed.

Yes it is very irresponsible but please do not go condemming us all in that bracket because we breed.

Polly, I would never consider a backyard 'producer' to be in the same category as a responsible breeder who breeds for the standard of perfection. I am speaking negatively of people who have no knowledge of any specific breed, no intent to improve a specific breeds lines and whousually seem to choose to breed mixed breed rabbits. I was thinking along the lines of volume producers like Marshall's and Peter's Rabbits.

Most of the ARBA members I have talked to either refuse to adopt to pet homes or are very reluctant to do so unless spaying and neutering is quaranteed.

 

[polly]

Its Ok seniorcats it was actually this comment

I don't"buy" from breeders, because I don't support it. I don't condem those who breed correctlyand take theneseccary precautions, but Ifeel that there are way too many animals that need homes to go out and spend lots of $$$$ for a "purebred". ILOVE my mutt kids!

So I wanted to highlight that if you go look in rescues or certainly in rescues over here (and your comment in your last post obviously supports that in america too) then it is mainly half breeds which if people didnt suport the people selling these in pet shops or BYB and did use registred breeders then perhaps the problem would not be so much of a problem.

I am sure you will understand its a bitter pill to swallow when there is so many people who think they will make so much money out of breedig for fun or just want to have babies. I understand it can happen accidentally but it can be so easily avoided in the main instance and takes away form what a serious breeder is trying to do!!

 

[gentle giants]

Luv-bunniz wrote:

Bo B Bunny wrote:

First I want to tell you how much I understand and completely agree. I know it sometimes offends people when we really stand strong here about this.... but too bad! I think our site is very liberal in that werespect responsible breeders and have them here on the forum. If we had no breeders I'd worry about that!

I completely agree - "Resposible breeders" are ok if they breed for a reason like to better the breed, carry on good blood lines, breeding for show standards rather then the BYB's that the reasons are "I want baby rabbits", "I want to carry on the good tempermant genes of my rabbit", "I want rabbits with the genes of mine (colouring etc) " .

I am the same way. I have a friend who breeds dogs, she has been breeding fro something like 30 years. All her dogs are treated like they are her kids, and she will spend months researching a stud before she breeds oneof her girls.

Breeders like my friend are actually good for dogs. By carefully choosing to only breed dogs that have no genetic/temperment issues, they are producing stronger, healthier dogs. Don't get me wrong, I love my mutt as well, and I will go to a shelter three times out of four, but a truly responsible breeder is something I appreciate.

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

I agree with you, but how is it "killing innocent rescue rabbits' lives"??? I don't see how it's killing them....on some terms I do...but he's not literally killing them or anything. I'm just confused.....:?

Emily

 

[Luvmyzoocrew]

polly wrote:

Morale of the story if some of these issues were addressed then there probably would not be as many unwanted rabbits out there!!

I , for one, think this would be a great ending to a story????????? This would also be great for cats and dogs, the amount of animals put to sleep on a daily basis is disturbing and every year it gets worse instead of better.

 

[Starlight Rabbitry]

BlueSkyAcresRabbitry wrote:

I agree with you, but how is it "killing innocent rescue rabbits' lives"??? I don't see how it's killing them....on some terms I do...but he's not literally killing them or anything. I'm just confused.....:?

Emily

People who breed "just for the fun of it" are just creating more rabbits.Because of this Backyard Breeder(s), rabbits in sheltersarenot adopted and therefore are euthanized becauseshelters are running out of room.

Sharon

 

[naturestee]

BlueSkyAcresRabbitry wrote:

I agree with you, but how is it "killing innocent rescue rabbits' lives"??? I don't see how it's killing them....on some terms I do...but he's not literally killing them or anything. I'm just confused.....:?

Emily

Same way that irresponsible breeding of dogs and cats causes more shelter animals to be euthanized. These animals are bought by people who just want a pet, they generally don't want a show animal or quality breeding animal. They'd go to a responsible breeder for that. Those people who wanted pets could have saved the lives of rabbits (or cats or dogs) in shelters by adopting them instead. And many of them probably would have if intentionally bred babies weren't easily available.

The rabbits that come in to my local Humane Society are most often from pet stores or irresponsible breeders. Some are from 4H kids because the programs here suck and don't teach responsibility. I don't think I've seen a rabbit yet that was bred by an adultshow breeder, except possibly the Harlequins who were only there because their owner died unexpectedly.

All pet store rabbits in my area come from backyard breeders or larger mill breeders. I've asked. I've even seen show breeders doing education demo's in pet stores but they said they'd never sell their babies to a pet store.

In general, responsible show breeders are more careful about who they sell to and most of their rabbits go to other show people. For example when my mom's friend (a show breeder) was diagnosed with a very bad health condition and she couldn't take care of her animals any more, all of her rabbits went to other show breeders. She could have found pet homes easily as they were all Nethies and Dwarf Hotots and it was not long before Easter but she wanted her animals to go to people she trusted.

 

[LadyOnslaught]

It's very frustrating to me too. Yesterday I was telling an animal lover co-worker about the new bunny I got and said I wasn't sure if it was a boy or girl (I now know it's a boy) and she made the comment about breeding them and making money. I said no but didn't push it much as I know she didn't understand. They just see it as making money but I'm standing their thinking Riley's just a baby and I wouldn't want her to have babies.

The world is too overpopulated as it is, we don't need more bunnies, dogs, cats, etc. So many people breed 'just to breed'.

 

[Starlight Rabbitry]

LadyOnslaught wrote:

Yesterday I was telling an animal lover co-worker about the new bunny I got and said I wasn't sure if it was a boy or girl (I now know it's a boy) and she made the comment about breeding them and making money. I said no but didn't push it much as I know she didn't understand. They just see it as making money but I'm standing their thinking Riley's just a baby and I wouldn't want her to have babies.

LOL.....Ask her how she thinks breeding them makes money because I am doing something wrong then...lol. It actually costs me money to breed them as I know have to pay for more feed as when I breed a doe, I have to breed another one at the same time in case I need to foster the babies. Also, if there are complications, vet trips are expensive. Yes, I can do a lot of it on my own but I haven't studied c-sections yet

Also, have to keep the babies for 8 weeks to ensure that they ween without stress and are healthy to go to a new home. Have to buy new cages when the older ones can no longer just be repaired. Cleaning supplies get expensive after your babies start to poop on their own. And trust me, they poop a lot!

I am not trying to start an argument in any way, just thought your co-worker has the wrong idea Or I am doing something wrong here

Sharon

 

[Luv-bunniz]

Nope, you are doing it right, I thought that adults could kick up some vet/food/cleaning bills - the babys are even worse! lol

 

[LadyOnslaught]

Starlight Rabbitry wrote:

LadyOnslaught wrote:

Yesterday I was telling an animal lover co-worker about the new bunny I got and said I wasn't sure if it was a boy or girl (I now know it's a boy) and she made the comment about breeding them and making money. I said no but didn't push it much as I know she didn't understand. They just see it as making money but I'm standing their thinking Riley's just a baby and I wouldn't want her to have babies.

LOL.....Ask her how she thinks breeding them makes money because I am doing something wrong then...lol. It actually costs me money to breed them as I know have to pay for more feed as when I breed a doe, I have to breed another one at the same time in case I need to foster the babies. Also, if there are complications, vet trips are expensive. Yes, I can do a lot of it on my own but I haven't studied c-sections yet

Also, have to keep the babies for 8 weeks to ensure that they ween without stress and are healthy to go to a new home. Have to buy new cages when the older ones can no longer just be repaired. Cleaning supplies get expensive after your babies start to poop on their own. And trust me, they poop a lot!

I am not trying to start an argument in any way, just thought your co-worker has the wrong idea Or I am doing something wrong here

Sharon

She also (I think) had thought about breeding her puppy but she's too young. Why not though? She's a purebred. I hate that mentality. Another thing I hate (changing the subject for a minute here) are rescues that charge more for purbred animals. Last year my husband and I adopted a purebred Cocker Spaniel and paid $75. Now a year later they charge $100 for mutts and $150 for purebreds. I can understand the adoption costs going up but they don't pay more for the purebreds to get them ready to adopt.

Back to subject...I don't see how you would make money breeding. I can see doing it for a hobby but I know lately after taking two cats, two dogs, and then a bunny for a checkup it's a lot of money. Granted, if you're breeding you're probably not breeding all of them but it's expensive. Vet visits aren't cheap and it all adds up.