The RSPCA came this morning

[Lord Trellis]

I was expecting a visit from them I just didn't know when it was going to be, or whether they would come at all.

They came around 10AM this morning and I was dreading letting them in.

They were quite friendly, they had a look around and saw my animals. They said they were mostly happy with things but were a bit concerned about my litter of rabbits that I rescued. I told the lady I was going to keep three of the babies but she wasn't too happy with that because I have three other rabbits and six rabbits is too many to be keeping in my home as its not big enough but they said two would be fine. They gave me some advice and offered to help with re-homing some of the rabbits if I couldn't manage.

They said a follow up inspection will be made soon so no animals were taken as long as I re-home the babies when they are ready.

I've had a bit of a reality check. I'm going to be making some hard decisions over the next few weeks.

 

[Graciee]

I was expecting a visit from them I just didn't know when it was going to be, or whether they would come at all.

They came around 10AM this morning and I was dreading letting them in.

They were quite friendly, they had a look around and saw my animals. They said they were mostly happy with things but were a bit concerned about my litter of rabbits that I rescued. I told the lady I was going to keep three of the babies but she wasn't too happy with that because I have three other rabbits and six rabbits is too many to be keeping in my home as its not big enough but they said two would be fine. They gave me some advice and offered to help with re-homing some of the rabbits if I couldn't manage.

They said a follow up inspection will be made soon so no animals were taken as long as I re-home the babies when they are ready.

I've had a bit of a reality check. I'm going to be making some hard decisions over the next few weeks.

Wait why do you have to rehome so many? They can't make you rehome animals if they're being cared for properly?

I've got 4 buns and 2 pigs, rspca came round for a different reason, very sad actually, a fox had dragged itself into my garden after being in an accident and it needed to be pts, and after that was done he saw all my buns etc whilst we were chatting and was really nice about them and said they were lucky to have such a good home... No concern on numbers..


Although it does sound like you've taken on a lot very fast, maybe a good idea just to have your existing ones
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[TheBee]

Wait why do you have to rehome so many? They can't make you rehome animals if they're being cared for properly?

I've got 4 buns and 2 pigs, rspca came round for a different reason, very sad actually, a fox had dragged itself into my garden after being in an accident and it needed to be pts, and after that was done he saw all my buns etc whilst we were chatting and was really nice about them and said they were lucky to have such a good home... No concern on numbers..


Although it does sound like you've taken on a lot very fast, maybe a good idea just to have your existing ones
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It won’t have been the numbers that were the concern. It will have been the number of unvaccinated, un neutered rabbits. And of course the housing arrangements, if they weren’t adequate.

 

[Graciee]

It won’t have been the numbers that were the concern. It will have been the number of unvaccinated, un neutered rabbits. And of course the housing arrangements, if they weren’t adequate.

Oh right! Yea did seem a bit odd, I was thinking they can't do that!

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[Preitler]

To a foreigner that sounds so wiered. This is a private organization, right? What kind of athority do they have, how can they tell you anything? I would not let them on my property. Not without police in tow, and than only a official state authority and not a private organisation. My animals are none of their business. And even police would need a very good, serious reason for entering my home. I'm quite happy with the local police, they have common sense. .

 

[InspectorMorse]

To a foreigner that sounds so wiered. This is a private organization, right? What kind of athority do they have, how can they tell you anything? I would not let them on my property. Not without police in tow, and than only a official state authority and not a private organisation. My animals are none of their business. And even police would need a very good, serious reason for entering my home. I'm quite happy with the local police, they have common sense. .

https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo

 

[Shimmer]

The RSPCA are an animal charity. Cruelty cases are reported to them (anonymously - and sometimes maliciously). Uniformed RSPCA inspectors may investigate such cases.They provide care advice, gather evidence, prosecute if appropriate, rescue, rehabilitate & rehome a wide range of animals. They do not have the legal right to enter a property or take an animal without the proper consent - so Police are needed for entry, and usually the consent of the current owner for the anmal to be taken into their care. They tend to take on high profile cases these days - like puppy farms and mass cruelty cases, although local branches often rehome pets.

For cases like this, you do not have to let them in to your property unless they turn up with Police, who could have the right of entry. If they are allowed entry, they usually ask to look at all animals on site, not just the ones reported. There's not much they can really do if the animals have their basic care needs met and they don't need veterinary attention. They can provide advice on care, and help with rehoming. They may express concerns if they think the situation may escalate beyond the means of the client. eg uncontrolled breeding of un-neutered rabbits.

You certainly don't forget a visit in a hurry, and it's unlikely that you will know who reported it. I had a visit a few years ago for having 'skinny' dogs. They weren't - Salukis are much slimmer than most (all other?) dogs anyway, and most pet dogs are overweight these days. So people are not used to seeing the ribs of a perfectly fit & healthy running dog. Luckily, the RSPCA Inspector knew what she was looking at (and I didn't let her in - we were literally just leaving for a walk). I've still no idea who reported it, but they knew where I lived - it wasn't someone I randomly met on a walk. I'm still spooked by it. I know some others on here have had similar experiences.

 

[Orenoko]

To a foreigner that sounds so wiered. This is a private organization, right? What kind of athority do they have, how can they tell you anything? I would not let them on my property. Not without police in tow, and than only a official state authority and not a private organisation. My animals are none of their business. And even police would need a very good, serious reason for entering my home. I'm quite happy with the local police, they have common sense. .

As others have said, they are a charity but they also bring private criminal prosecutions against people sometimes if police can't/won't, which is quite rare full stop in our country.

6 rabbits is quite full on for a lot of people once you take into account space requirements, neutering, food bills, insurance, vaccinations and potential vet bills. Maybe take them up on the offer of support with rehoming, at least you know they will go to good homes.

 

[Lord Trellis]

It won’t have been the numbers that were the concern. It will have been the number of unvaccinated, un neutered rabbits. And of course the housing arrangements, if they weren’t adequate.

It was mostly this, plus we had an informative chat. So numbers wasn't the major concern it was more about vet costs and so on, housing arrangements was another thing because while I'm waiting to get some bunnies fixed it gets chaotic having to separate bunnies which has an impact on the housing arrangements due to lack of space, although this wouldn't be a permanent thing, I have also got to think about the costs with vaccines and neutering. The RSPCA was mostly happy with my current arrangements but as the babies grow and mature I will need more space to separate them.

 

[Lord Trellis]

The RSPCA are an animal charity. Cruelty cases are reported to them (anonymously - and sometimes maliciously). Uniformed RSPCA inspectors may investigate such cases.They provide care advice, gather evidence, prosecute if appropriate, rescue, rehabilitate & rehome a wide range of animals. They do not have the legal right to enter a property or take an animal without the proper consent - so Police are needed for entry, and usually the consent of the current owner for the anmal to be taken into their care. They tend to take on high profile cases these days - like puppy farms and mass cruelty cases, although local branches often rehome pets.

For cases like this, you do not have to let them in to your property unless they turn up with Police, who could have the right of entry. If they are allowed entry, they usually ask to look at all animals on site, not just the ones reported. There's not much they can really do if the animals have their basic care needs met and they don't need veterinary attention. They can provide advice on care, and help with rehoming. They may express concerns if they think the situation may escalate beyond the means of the client. eg uncontrolled breeding of un-neutered rabbits.

You certainly don't forget a visit in a hurry, and it's unlikely that you will know who reported it. I had a visit a few years ago for having 'skinny' dogs. They weren't - Salukis are much slimmer than most (all other?) dogs anyway, and most pet dogs are overweight these days. So people are not used to seeing the ribs of a perfectly fit & healthy running dog. Luckily, the RSPCA Inspector knew what she was looking at (and I didn't let her in - we were literally just leaving for a walk). I've still no idea who reported it, but they knew where I lived - it wasn't someone I randomly met on a walk. I'm still spooked by it. I know some others on here have had similar experiences.

I had a malicious report a couple weeks ago. I had voluntary let them in because I wanted it over and done with and so they can see that they are in no danger. I don't know what was said in the report and I didn't want it hanging over me. I wanted to show them I've nothing to hide and its better to have things cleared up and they were very friendly and understanding. I might even need there help if I struggle to find homes for the youngsters. Re-homing rabbits is not an easy task. I'm still on the fence about keeping two of the babies but if I do keep two of the babies, I need to get them sorted with neutering and vaccinating straight away so that they wont have to live separately for too long.

I still have Lamb Chop to neuter so I am going to see if I can get some sort of a deal with getting them all done together.

 

[InspectorMorse]

If I were you I would accept the RSPCA’s offer to rehome all but your three original Rabbits. Then you can concentrate on insuring they are all neutered and vaccinated, that you can afford to cover the cost of their ongoing care for the next 10+ years, you can provide them with much better accommodation that offers them all constant access to lots of space and environmental enrichment.

I know how easy it can be to start taking on more and more Rabbits. Unless a person has the finances, space and time to care for multiple Rabbits to the standard that all Rabbits deserve, the ‘Rescuing’ can start to look more like hoarding. I am NOT saying this is your situation now, but I suspect that the RSPCA Inspectors deal with hundreds of cases where people with very good intentions end up with far too many Pets than they can cope with. Instead of being a Rescuer, the person becomes over-whelmed and falling into Hoarder territory.

Taking in waifs and strays can give a person a lift in their spirits, feeling that they are doing something useful. But if this leads to repeatedly taking in more and more Pets in order to keep getting the mood lift doing so can give the person becomes part of the Pet Welfare Problem rather than part of the Solution.

Once you have your three original Rabbits sorted out re neutering/ vaccinating and providing large accommodation for and you feel that you do still have time to do more you could look into volunteering to help at a local Rescue. I know many Rescues welcome help with cleaning out hutches, grooming Rabbits, spending time with Rabbits and working with them to socialise them. There is a lot you can do to help Rabbits without committing to the huge responsibility and cost of taking in more and more Rabbits yourself.

As I said, this post isn’t a judgement on you or your specific situation. It is just a general comment based on what I have observed over the last 26 years of keeping Pet Rabbits.

 

[Babsie]

Excellent advice offered by Jane, Inspector Morse.

 

[Zoobec]

If I were you I would accept the RSPCA’s offer to rehome all but your three original Rabbits. Then you can concentrate on insuring they are all neutered and vaccinated, that you can afford to cover the cost of their ongoing care for the next 10+ years, you can provide them with much better accommodation that offers them all constant access to lots of space and environmental enrichment.

I know how easy it can be to start taking on more and more Rabbits. Unless a person has the finances, space and time to care for multiple Rabbits to the standard that all Rabbits deserve, the ‘Rescuing’ can start to look more like hoarding. I am NOT saying this is your situation now, but I suspect that the RSPCA Inspectors deal with hundreds of cases where people with very good intentions end up with far too many Pets than they can cope with. Instead of being a Rescuer, the person becomes over-whelmed and falling into Hoarder territory.

Taking in waifs and strays can give a person a lift in their spirits, feeling that they are doing something useful. But if this leads to repeatedly taking in more and more Pets in order to keep getting the mood lift doing so can give the person becomes part of the Pet Welfare Problem rather than part of the Solution.

Once you have your three original Rabbits sorted out re neutering/ vaccinating and providing large accommodation for and you feel that you do still have time to do more you could look into volunteering to help at a local Rescue. I know many Rescues welcome help with cleaning out hutches, grooming Rabbits, spending time with Rabbits and working with them to socialise them. There is a lot you can do to help Rabbits without committing to the huge responsibility and cost of taking in more and more Rabbits yourself.

As I said, this post isn’t a judgement on you or your specific situation. It is just a general comment based on what I have observed over the last 26 years of keeping Pet Rabbits.

I agree with everything Jane has said:thumb:

 

[Lord Trellis]

If I were you I would accept the RSPCA’s offer to rehome all but your three original Rabbits. Then you can concentrate on insuring they are all neutered and vaccinated, that you can afford to cover the cost of their ongoing care for the next 10+ years, you can provide them with much better accommodation that offers them all constant access to lots of space and environmental enrichment.

I know how easy it can be to start taking on more and more Rabbits. Unless a person has the finances, space and time to care for multiple Rabbits to the standard that all Rabbits deserve, the ‘Rescuing’ can start to look more like hoarding. I am NOT saying this is your situation now, but I suspect that the RSPCA Inspectors deal with hundreds of cases where people with very good intentions end up with far too many Pets than they can cope with. Instead of being a Rescuer, the person becomes over-whelmed and falling into Hoarder territory.

Taking in waifs and strays can give a person a lift in their spirits, feeling that they are doing something useful. But if this leads to repeatedly taking in more and more Pets in order to keep getting the mood lift doing so can give the person becomes part of the Pet Welfare Problem rather than part of the Solution.

Once you have your three original Rabbits sorted out re neutering/ vaccinating and providing large accommodation for and you feel that you do still have time to do more you could look into volunteering to help at a local Rescue. I know many Rescues welcome help with cleaning out hutches, grooming Rabbits, spending time with Rabbits and working with them to socialise them. There is a lot you can do to help Rabbits without committing to the huge responsibility and cost of taking in more and more Rabbits yourself.

As I said, this post isn’t a judgement on you or your specific situation. It is just a general comment based on what I have observed over the last 26 years of keeping Pet Rabbits.

I agree. The hard part is getting into the mindset that I'm going to have to let go of them, I keep having mixed thoughts about keeping two of the babies but at the same time its just going to be more for me to deal with. I would really like to volunteer at an animal center. Some of the city farms normally look for volunteers around this time of year so I'm going to see if I could start at one of those.

 

[InspectorMorse]

I agree. The hard part is getting into the mindset that I'm going to have to let go of them, I keep having mixed thoughts about keeping two of the babies but at the same time its just going to be more for me to deal with. I would really like to volunteer at an animal center. Some of the city farms normally look for volunteers around this time of year so I'm going to see if I could start at one of those.

Try to look at it like this. By letting the latest Rabbits go to new forever homes with the help of the RSPCA you can be certain the new homes will be checked to make sure they are suitable. The RSPCA always Home Check. They also only rehome once the Rabbits are neutered and vaccinated. So you can be certain that the Rabbits future welfare has the best chance of being good.

You will then not have to worry about how to fund so many Rabbits, risk not vaccinating and having to experience a RHD outbreak, which would be catastrophic if you were to have numerous unvaccinated Rabbits. It would even put vaccinated Rabbits at some risk.

You will be able to give your three Rabbits so much more space and you will get to know them better too. The more aRabbits you have, the less time there is to get to know each one.

Yes, letting the other Rabbits go to new homes will be hard for you. But as you want the best for them then I feel sure you know that letting them go to new homes is the right thing to do. For what it’s worth I think it’d be right for you too as the stress of trying to fund Vet Care when you are living on a very tight budget can be very hard to deal with. Not only is there the predictable Vet fees, neutering/ vaccinating, but there’s also the unexpected things that can happen. A case of Gut Stasis that occurs out of routine surgery hours can easily set you back over £200, often more.

 

[Orenoko]

Try to look at it like this. By letting the latest Rabbits go to new forever homes with the help of the RSPCA you can be certain the new homes will be checked to make sure they are suitable. The RSPCA always Home Check. They also only rehome once the Rabbits are neutered and vaccinated. So you can be certain that the Rabbits future welfare has the best chance of being good.

You will then not have to worry about how to fund so many Rabbits, risk not vaccinating and having to experience a RHD outbreak, which would be catastrophic if you were to have numerous unvaccinated Rabbits. It would even put vaccinated Rabbits at some risk.

You will be able to give your three Rabbits so much more space and you will get to know them better too. The more aRabbits you have, the less time there is to get to know each one.

Yes, letting the other Rabbits go to new homes will be hard for you. But as you want the best for them then I feel sure you know that letting them go to new homes is the right thing to do. For what it’s worth I think it’d be right for you too as the stress of trying to fund Vet Care when you are living on a very tight budget can be very hard to deal with. Not only is there the predictable Vet fees, neutering/ vaccinating, but there’s also the unexpected things that can happen. A case of Gut Stasis that occurs out of routine surgery hours can easily set you back over £200, often more.

Completely agree with this. Yes it's hard but using the RSPCA's help means you know your rabbits will be in the best possible hands until they find their forever homes.

Many years ago I had an unexpected litter of Guinea pigs, and then immediately afterwards my personal circumstances changed and I had to move, I simply couldn't take 7 Guinea pigs with me so I had to contact the RSPCA and ask them to take the babies. It was heartbreaking but I also knew that I did the right thing, I couldn't have afforded vet care if they'd all got ill, for example, at that stage in my life, and I definitely didnt have space for them all. It was sad but I knew it was best for them, and I think that's the key when you make a decision, you have to do what's in their best interests even if it's hard for you personally.