Hi everyone,
I'm new here, and hope that this is the right place to make this post. I'm a general animal lover who is particularly fond of cats, and have never really considered getting a rabbit before, as lovely as they are.
However some months ago I became painfully aware of a rabbit being neglected...(have edited this information down to this simple explanation because the details are quite personal)
His current situation is that he's living in a medium sized hutch (not painfully tiny but no where near big enough) with no access to an outdoor run. That's all he has. I was first made aware of his neglect when the owners went on holiday for three days to another part of the country and didn't get anyone to check on him! When I went outside to see him he was living in his own poo which I had to take out with a garden shovel, there was so much of it. Which I was completely appalled at, believe me, I just cried and cried for him.
Anyway, we've been doing everything we can to get that bunny out of there, and exercise him in the garden when we visit, feed him well and give him lots of attention. He was extremely skittish at first but over the past few months has become much friendlier, and whilst his situation is far from perfect, we've made it as comfortable as possible for him in the meantime. Next week we're FINALLY getting him out of there for good, which makes me so relieved because I just want him to know that he can live a happy life.
So I'd like to tell you lovely bunny owners on here about our plans for his setup, and would love to hear any advice/suggestions if you have them. My bf and I have just bought our first house, with a huge garden, and we have a 8x10ft greenhouse frame that we're going to turn into a walk in run with grass to nibble on, toys to play with and tunnels to hide in. A 6ft hutch is going to be attached to this which they can access 24/7. It is a work in progress but will be extremely secure so no cats can get in and the buns can't dig out/foxes can't dig in.
I say they because we're rescuing a girl around his age (5 years old) and we plan to bond them once they're neutered, which will be asap. I know that our boy is desperate for companionship and I'm sure it will turn his life around. Please can I ask, is there a period of time you should leave them to recover from the operation before bonding?
Any hints/tips greatly appreciated. The welfare of these rabbits is 100% my priority and I'm going to do everything I can to make their lives wonderful.
I'm new here, and hope that this is the right place to make this post. I'm a general animal lover who is particularly fond of cats, and have never really considered getting a rabbit before, as lovely as they are.
However some months ago I became painfully aware of a rabbit being neglected...(have edited this information down to this simple explanation because the details are quite personal)
His current situation is that he's living in a medium sized hutch (not painfully tiny but no where near big enough) with no access to an outdoor run. That's all he has. I was first made aware of his neglect when the owners went on holiday for three days to another part of the country and didn't get anyone to check on him! When I went outside to see him he was living in his own poo which I had to take out with a garden shovel, there was so much of it. Which I was completely appalled at, believe me, I just cried and cried for him.
Anyway, we've been doing everything we can to get that bunny out of there, and exercise him in the garden when we visit, feed him well and give him lots of attention. He was extremely skittish at first but over the past few months has become much friendlier, and whilst his situation is far from perfect, we've made it as comfortable as possible for him in the meantime. Next week we're FINALLY getting him out of there for good, which makes me so relieved because I just want him to know that he can live a happy life.
So I'd like to tell you lovely bunny owners on here about our plans for his setup, and would love to hear any advice/suggestions if you have them. My bf and I have just bought our first house, with a huge garden, and we have a 8x10ft greenhouse frame that we're going to turn into a walk in run with grass to nibble on, toys to play with and tunnels to hide in. A 6ft hutch is going to be attached to this which they can access 24/7. It is a work in progress but will be extremely secure so no cats can get in and the buns can't dig out/foxes can't dig in.
I say they because we're rescuing a girl around his age (5 years old) and we plan to bond them once they're neutered, which will be asap. I know that our boy is desperate for companionship and I'm sure it will turn his life around. Please can I ask, is there a period of time you should leave them to recover from the operation before bonding?
Any hints/tips greatly appreciated. The welfare of these rabbits is 100% my priority and I'm going to do everything I can to make their lives wonderful.
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