Hi,
So, I live in a small rural village, and several months ago I saw two bunnies hopping loose in one of the side roads. Was worried they had escaped and knocked on a couple of doors nearby. Found the owners who said, 'oh yeah, they're free range bunnies, we just let them go wherever they want'. I found this quite upsetting, but decided not to interfere - e.g. by calling RSPCA - because it is a very quiet cul-de-sac and, if I'm honest, because the people looked slightly scary!
I have seen the bunnies on the grass verge once or twice since then, and each time it upsets me, but I haven't done anything.
However, tonight I was driving home and I actually nearly ran one of the bunnies over on the single lane 60mph road leading into the village. Didn't feel able to leave it there after that, and so, armed with some bunny pellets, I went back and found it in the field at the edge of the village. I caught it (think its a female) and brought her back to my house. Haven't looked closely at her, as haven't wanted to upset her, but she looks in fine health, although she has got very muddy matts above her tail, which I will sort out in the morning.
She's hilariously chilled out, and seems very happy to be in my kitchen - she dried herself off and then flopped very contentedly under my kitchen table - so different to my two scaredy-buns!
Anyway, tomorrow morning I will go round to the house and ask if they are missing their bunny, and, of course, if it is theirs I will bring it back to them. But I don't feel I can then report them to the RSPCA, because the people would know it was me, and I'm a bit scared of them - it's a very small village! So then the bunny will just be left to free range again, which makes me so sad. Maybe it's better than her being shut in a tiny hutch, but it's so dangerous!
If it is not theirs, I have no idea what I will do! I am supposed to be driving down to Devon for Christmas tomorrow lunchtime. I can put up posters but I don't want to kidnap someone's rabbit for Christmas! Perhaps a local rescue might have a place for it or something. She's safely shut away from my bunnies for tonight with some hay and water and a few pellets.
Anyway, sorry this is so long, but if anyone has any advice I'd really appreciate it.
So, I live in a small rural village, and several months ago I saw two bunnies hopping loose in one of the side roads. Was worried they had escaped and knocked on a couple of doors nearby. Found the owners who said, 'oh yeah, they're free range bunnies, we just let them go wherever they want'. I found this quite upsetting, but decided not to interfere - e.g. by calling RSPCA - because it is a very quiet cul-de-sac and, if I'm honest, because the people looked slightly scary!
I have seen the bunnies on the grass verge once or twice since then, and each time it upsets me, but I haven't done anything.
However, tonight I was driving home and I actually nearly ran one of the bunnies over on the single lane 60mph road leading into the village. Didn't feel able to leave it there after that, and so, armed with some bunny pellets, I went back and found it in the field at the edge of the village. I caught it (think its a female) and brought her back to my house. Haven't looked closely at her, as haven't wanted to upset her, but she looks in fine health, although she has got very muddy matts above her tail, which I will sort out in the morning.
She's hilariously chilled out, and seems very happy to be in my kitchen - she dried herself off and then flopped very contentedly under my kitchen table - so different to my two scaredy-buns!
Anyway, tomorrow morning I will go round to the house and ask if they are missing their bunny, and, of course, if it is theirs I will bring it back to them. But I don't feel I can then report them to the RSPCA, because the people would know it was me, and I'm a bit scared of them - it's a very small village! So then the bunny will just be left to free range again, which makes me so sad. Maybe it's better than her being shut in a tiny hutch, but it's so dangerous!
If it is not theirs, I have no idea what I will do! I am supposed to be driving down to Devon for Christmas tomorrow lunchtime. I can put up posters but I don't want to kidnap someone's rabbit for Christmas! Perhaps a local rescue might have a place for it or something. She's safely shut away from my bunnies for tonight with some hay and water and a few pellets.
Anyway, sorry this is so long, but if anyone has any advice I'd really appreciate it.
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