• Forum/Server Upgrade If you are reading this you have made it to the upgraded forum. Posts made on the old forum after 26th October 2023 have not been transfered. Everything else should be here. If you find any issues please let us know.

Starting with the Basics

Towsbuns

Mama Doe
Not really sure whether this is the right area for this but I have been pondering on a few issues re. rabbits/petshops/rescues etc. and one idea that came to me was trying to get the information in the basic Bunny care books updated to include correct and relevant information. When considering taking on a new pet many people will first buy or get from a library a basic book on their care (this is what I did) and, I feel, this is one area where this forum could help to make a real difference in the education of prospective owners. Some of these books still have that rabbits and guineas can be homed together, they tell you what to look for in a baby bunny when buying (don't seem to mention rescue centres) and never seem to mention the benefits of spaying beyond the prevention of babies.
There are, obviously, detailed books around but the basic 'Your First....' range and even the RSPCA ones could be alot better.

What are your thoughts on this and, if you agree, how can we move this forward?
 
The Rabbit Welfare Association have really good leaflets, supplied free to rescue centres, £5 per bundle of 100 for vet surgeries, pet shops etc. Would that help?
 
I totally agree with you Julie. When I first decided to get a rabbit the first thing I did was buy a book containing contradicting and out of date information. I then decided to ask people who have experience of keeping rabbits. Which is how I came across forums.
 
But not everyone would go down that line, unfortunately, and if you don't buy more than one book you have no idea that the information is "xxxx" :wink: (am I allowed that or will I be Tamsined.....NO!! but you have been Adele ized instead :lol: !!) until you look into things further and the problem is not with those who bother to learn more, the problem is with those who don't bother and who may only have the cheapest basic book as a reference.
Bunnyhugger, I am sure the RWA leaflets would include the information that should be included in these books but if these people don't go to a rescue centre they are unlikely to get this relevant information.
 
Maybe we could make the petshop owners aware that these information leaflets are available from the RWA, and persuade them to issue them to customers.
 
Howdie Towsbuns - howya doin!!

May have to try and keep this reply short as I'm supposed to be working but having much to much fun on the this Forum!!

Like your idea and sounds well worth exploring further as to how we could achieve some improvements. Think your right re the RWF leaftlets - they are great if you could get access to them but folks buying their first bunny are unlikely to come across these at RSPCA Centres - and bunny petstores/Garden Centres etc and I cannot somehow see these areas being prepared to pay for leaflets to give out - but it is good to know that they are available from the Rescue Centres - I suspect they would be really informative.

So how can we make these publications better then eh!! - O.K - if you have an address on the "Your First" publications re Autor etc perhaps there is something we could draft to send to them to highlight some of the updated information which they could include. I guess there is no way of making them comply but you can but try (Hey - there's the poet in me!!)
Also the RSPCA - Perhaps we could try and find the right area we could right to and try and get them to either take the RWF leaftlets or suggest one that they could give out - if they were aware that we were a Specialist Bunny Forum and at the Sharp end of Rabbit Rescue and all working to achieve better welfare for bunnies - it might be worth a go! :)

What do you think?
 
This is a good one, catch them at the start.... Well, would each person in their area be willing to have a chat with their RSPCA/Blue Cross, rescues, pet shops etc in their area, see what reaction they get, then we can see what we are looking at in the way of publications. Maybe each person could do a mini survey of the above, that way we could see what they would be happy to have. Even if its just little to start with, once they get a positive reaction from the public etc, perhaps then they will be interested in having more leaflets, books etc. Great things usually start quite small.
 
Thanks Lany - that was exactly my point. I think I will have a look over the weekend in petshops and garden centres and make a note of the author and publisher of the basic books they are selling i.e. under £5 starter type ones. However, I feel that a letter of this type would be better coming from the forum rather than one person IYKWIM. Someone was saying on a forum recently (can't remember which now as I am easily confused) that most of the rabbits that end up in rescue are originally purchased in a petshop or garden centre so, surely, it is the prospective buyers of these bunnies that need the education.
 
I have to admit becuase of Bunnymail I pour over bunny books to find ones that I personally agree with the info they give. There is a FAB starter book that I just found and started stocking. its only 2.75 and gives a general overview of GOOD rabbit care. its called 'how to have a relaxed rabbit'. it talks about how rabbits are not good kids pets, says that you should get them from shelters unless you are dead set on a baby - but that babys arent neccesary - and then go to a good breeder and contact some different organizations (and gives you the list of some good ones), gives a breif but GOOD overview of bonding, proper picking up, that bunnies shold be with bunnies not piggies, neutering, bunny proofing, litter training etc etc. all in only 18 pages! This is a must have for people thinking of bunnies. It has to be one of the best booklets out there for people thinking of bunnies as a pet. Gives a real and superb overview of bunnies as pets!
 
I wold be good to provide petshops with a recommended booklist, that way they can tell which books are good and which not.

Tam
 
It's actually quite easy to publish a book yourself if your willing to take the risk of paying for the printing (you only make the money back if it sells). I don't know how you go about it through a publisher though.

Tam
 
Starting With THE Basics

I keep a stock of the RWA leaflets, they are very good and I supply my vet surgery with them. It is a very big, busy surgery and I find if I leave it up to them the leaflets don't get stocked up, although they are very good rabbit vets!
I also carry leaflets in my handbag and at any oportunity hand them out to people. I started to wear a big silver bunny brooch which usualy causes people to pass comment, then that leeds to the bunny conversation and handing out of leaflets :lol: . very sad :oops: :lol: .
 
starting with the basics

I give out a information pack with the animals that I re-home. The information has some RWF leaflets, some information about the rescue and the diets that we feed and a few independent people.

I would like to hear your thoughts Julie on whether the information that you had with Hobo was of any use or if you think that it could have been improved in any way.

I look forward to your thoughts on this.

Tracy
 
The stuff I had with Hobo was excellent Tracy but the books I bought when I first had Alfie (rehomed privately from someone locally) have proven to be full of what I have now found to be incorrect information. I had a quick look around at various places this weekend whilst looking for a shed and found lots that just make me mad - one said that the rabbits staple diet is a dry bunny mix, there was no mention of fresh veg, grass or even hay - no wonder so many buns develop tooth problems.
 
I wonder if we could write to the publishers and ask for any books that offer really bad information to be withdrawn or altered? For example the one Julie mentions it wouldn't be hard to provide evidence to back up about the diet from vets and the RWA.

Tam
 
Thanks for the feed back on that Julie.
We only see it from our side and not from a new owners sometimes.

As for pointing out to the book people that things have changed I don't think that it would be a bad thing. After all rabbit care is moving and changing very fast.

Who would have thought even 4years ago that we would now be using penicillion(sp) in rabbits abscesses with very good results. But we are.

So yes a very carefully worded letter that doesn't get their 'backs up'. But points out that if they care about their subject and want to continue selling books on that said subject. Then they need to do a reprint and change a few things.

Any of you that have a copy of "The problem with rabbits" a sanctuarys modern approch. Will see in the acknowledgements a mention of us (when based in Oxhill) as my predecessor was asked to proof read this book and as such the section on companionship was altered reguarding Guineas as friends for rabbits.
 
Back
Top