tupperwarequeen
Mama Doe
Another article suggesting rabbits are an 'easy' pet.
From Healthy magazine (sold in Holland and Barrats)
Pets Win Prizes
There is a way to boost your childs development and keep them occupied without switching on the TV-get a pet.
"Pets are great for teaching children responsibility, generosity and how to care for others" says clinical psychologist Linda Blair."Choose one your child can learn to care for easily, and be prepared to do some of the work yourself."
Rabbits are Britains third most popular pet, a good choice for little ones as they live outside, are tame and fairly cheap to look after.
I have emailed the editor with this reply
Dear Editor,
I bought 'Healthy' magazine for the first time this month, and have found it an interesting and informative read. However, one article caused me grave concern. On page 135 you printed an article 'Pets win prizes', suggesting that rabbits are cheap and easy pets, and good for children. This, I am afraid, is totally incorrect. Whilst a rabbit can be bought from a pet shop for about £10, it will require annual vaccinations for both myximatosis and VHD, average £20 each. Rabbits should be spayed or neutered, cost £40-60. They require a large hutch and run, minimum 6ft long by 2ft high and 2ft wide for the hutch, with at least as much space allowed for the run, preferably more. Rabbits are social creatures, and as such should be kept in pairs or groups, not singly. Also you state that rabbits are tame, this is also a fallacy. Rabbits are prey animals, and as such associate being picked up with being attacked by predators.
There are around 30,000 rabbits in rescues across the country who have been taken in from small, dingy hutches kept at the bottom of a garden, neglected and abandoned when the kids get bored with them.
If someone wishes to take on a rabbit or rabbits as pets, they should be prepared and understand the responsibilty they will be undertaking. The following websites provide valuable information.
http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/RSPCARedirect&pg=RabbitsPetCare
http://www.animalrescueandcare.org.uk/
http://www.greenfieldsrescue.co.uk/
http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/
Your article was correct though, rabbits are wonderful pets. I have 7, and am currently fostering 2 for a rescue. They are intelligent and inquisitive creatures, they love to dig, and run, and provide myself and my family with hours of entertainment, not to mention love. My two children regularly help me out with the care and cleaning of the rabbits, and they are indeed learning how to take responsibilty for another life. They see that in wind, rain, snow, whatever the weather, the rabbits need to be cleaned and fed, they need care through the night when they are ill, and they reward you with love and affection..provided you have food or toys.
I would be grateful if you would publish this letter, if not in its entirity, then at least the salient points, as the attitude that rabbits are easy pets is one which must be overcome if the number of rabbits in rescue is ever to decline.
yours sincerely
Sally
From Healthy magazine (sold in Holland and Barrats)
Pets Win Prizes
There is a way to boost your childs development and keep them occupied without switching on the TV-get a pet.
"Pets are great for teaching children responsibility, generosity and how to care for others" says clinical psychologist Linda Blair."Choose one your child can learn to care for easily, and be prepared to do some of the work yourself."
Rabbits are Britains third most popular pet, a good choice for little ones as they live outside, are tame and fairly cheap to look after.
I have emailed the editor with this reply
Dear Editor,
I bought 'Healthy' magazine for the first time this month, and have found it an interesting and informative read. However, one article caused me grave concern. On page 135 you printed an article 'Pets win prizes', suggesting that rabbits are cheap and easy pets, and good for children. This, I am afraid, is totally incorrect. Whilst a rabbit can be bought from a pet shop for about £10, it will require annual vaccinations for both myximatosis and VHD, average £20 each. Rabbits should be spayed or neutered, cost £40-60. They require a large hutch and run, minimum 6ft long by 2ft high and 2ft wide for the hutch, with at least as much space allowed for the run, preferably more. Rabbits are social creatures, and as such should be kept in pairs or groups, not singly. Also you state that rabbits are tame, this is also a fallacy. Rabbits are prey animals, and as such associate being picked up with being attacked by predators.
There are around 30,000 rabbits in rescues across the country who have been taken in from small, dingy hutches kept at the bottom of a garden, neglected and abandoned when the kids get bored with them.
If someone wishes to take on a rabbit or rabbits as pets, they should be prepared and understand the responsibilty they will be undertaking. The following websites provide valuable information.
http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/RSPCARedirect&pg=RabbitsPetCare
http://www.animalrescueandcare.org.uk/
http://www.greenfieldsrescue.co.uk/
http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/
Your article was correct though, rabbits are wonderful pets. I have 7, and am currently fostering 2 for a rescue. They are intelligent and inquisitive creatures, they love to dig, and run, and provide myself and my family with hours of entertainment, not to mention love. My two children regularly help me out with the care and cleaning of the rabbits, and they are indeed learning how to take responsibilty for another life. They see that in wind, rain, snow, whatever the weather, the rabbits need to be cleaned and fed, they need care through the night when they are ill, and they reward you with love and affection..provided you have food or toys.
I would be grateful if you would publish this letter, if not in its entirity, then at least the salient points, as the attitude that rabbits are easy pets is one which must be overcome if the number of rabbits in rescue is ever to decline.
yours sincerely
Sally