Yes it is correct, I don't think there is any differentiation in terms of pets and farmed rabbits in the eyes of the RSPCA, logically how can they apply one set of rules to a bunny that is deemed a 'pet' and another to 50 rabbits in a back garden when some are pets, some are for eating, others for showing?? In the end I don't think they bother. What is to stop anyone saying that they have a rabbit but, they are going to eat it? Does that mean then suddenly they only have to meet the minimum guidelines laid out by Defra which are significantly different for example in terms of size of enclosure to the guidelines they are issuing for 'pets'.
I am completely disturbed by what is deemed acceptable by them at the moment, obviously because I have my own rabbits and I know how intelligent, responsive and the fact they do have emotions it makes it more shocking for me that this is allowed to happen, apparently - I have been told by a breeder it is common practice among the 'older' breeders/showers to eat their stock and none are vaccinated and when they fall ill in anyway they are culled. This is even more bizarre in the case of RSPCA inspections being made by appointment, if any of those animals were ill or in need of treatment then they would just kill them before the inspection.:? It's bizarre in my view and I am frankly appauled and disgusted and depressed with what I have experienced in 2010 in a supposedly civilised town in the UK - I have always said if this sort of thing was necessary in Africa or wherever to help sustain a village of human lives then I could kind of justify it in my mind but, not purely for the pleasure of people who don't really need to be doing it, it is not right in my opinion and shouldn't be allowed. I am all for human rights but, not at the expense of animal rights unless it is absolutely necessary to save human lives, not for human 'pleasure'.
There needs to be one set of regulations not guidelines for the welfare of rabbits, covering diet, exercise and housing. Breeding should be clearly licensed and the license only granted if people can demonstrate they have adequate facilities for housing and meeting all the welfare regulations for the animal including enough room to exercise. The license should cost enough money so that the RSPCA are re-imbursed all the expense of inspections prior to licensing. The RSPCA should be able to advise a maximum number of rabbits on inspection and it should be documented on the license. This information should also be passed onto the Inland Revenue so they are paying tax like every other business. They should also be subject to 2 random inspections in a year and be prepared to pay for it to cover the costs for the RSPCA. I also think that there should be legislation in place to say that if people are going to slaughter animals they should have to attend a training course to ensure they have adequate skills to enable it to be completely humane and quick. This should also be chargeable and the money to the RSPCA.
Ultimately if people don't want to pay out then they won't keep rabbits in large numbers in small dirty enclosures and breed purely for personal enjoyment or to 'improve' the lines in weird experiments for the pursuit of perfection! This is never going to be achievable in my view as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, one persons perfect rabbit isn't someone elses. Health should be the most important factor. Sadly people can't be relied upon to put animal welfare first and something has to change for rabbits as it is just going to get worse otherwise.
