InspectorMorse
Wise Old Thumper
Just heard that as well as not accepting photos of single Rabbits they will no longer be including photos of Lop Rabbits. Both due to not promoting poor welfare.
Thoughts ?
Thoughts ?
This is extreme imo, especially banning lops.
Why lops and not dwarfs,giant rabbits, angoras, and many other breeds with characteristics that result in health/genetic issues.
These lops will still need to be rescued by loving people who will attend to their special needs.
It would make more sense to educate people by writing articles about challenges of specific breeds so people are prepared for time and financial impact when they adopt certain breeds.
It's pretty similar to the CRUFFA campaign for bracycephalic dogs - the acronym stands for campaign for the responsible use of flat faced dogs in advertising.
The idea being that, the more these breeds (particularly the more extreme examples) are normalised and portrayed as cute in the media, the worse the issue becomes and they're trying to reverse that trend by urging companies to use dogs with a more normal phenotype.
I do see the point - lops have only come about because we've selectively bred them to have lopped ears and a much shorter face, without much thought to the issues caused by squeezing all those teeth into a much smaller space etc.
People see a cute photo of a single rabbit in the mag and think it's OK for them to live alone.... or people see a cute photo of a lop with big floppy ears and a squishy round face and think that's what rabbits should look like. Neither should be normalised, I guess.
I would like to see a multi-pronged approach though and hopefully they're also planning to raise awareness with some articles explaining the health issues with particular breeds.
I realise I probably sound like a total hypocrite, as I've owned lop rabbits and still have a brachy dog but it's about encouraging more moderate examples of those breeds for me, rather than wanting them to disappear altogether.
Not sick in general, but having teeth issues (also root issues etc) because their mouth is too small to actually accommodate all their teeth [emoji51]Are rabbit breeds such as dwarf and lop more prone to getting sick?
There was a study recently that found lops are more prone to certain health issues.Are rabbit breeds such as dwarf and lop more prone to getting sick?
Yea I think the ear one is very common too. It's a tough one. I'm worried it would put people off adopting lops tho [emoji51] I mean the rabbiting on target market isn't exactly novice bun owners, surely?There was a study recently that found lops are more prone to certain health issues.
https://www.rvc.ac.uk/research/rese...dental-problems-study-confirms-for-first-time
It's a tough one. They probably don't want to put people off adopting them and it's not really the people who are adopting rabbits who need to change. Once the rabbits have been born, bought and then handed in to rescue, there's not much to be done.Yea I think the ear one is very common too. It's a tough one. I'm worried it would put people off adopting lops tho [emoji51] I mean the rabbiting on target market isn't exactly novice bun owners, surely?
Idk, can only speak for myself, but I was concerned taking on Willoughby being a nethie x who looks fairly nethie like. I think keletkezes says he has hooks on his teeth already, and I'm very aware this may mean dentals in the future which I have zero experience with.. So it's a concern!
Yea that's why I think, it's targeting the wrong people. If you're getting rabbiting on, you're paying the rwaf thing, which means you must be somewhat aware of welfare issues..? I mean not everyone I'm sure, but the majority. Could be a play though like Karen suggested. Getting people talking about it... But perhaps the wrong people?My two penn'orth: it's the wrong market, surely Rabbiting On! targets people ALREADY interested in general welfare. They should put their efforts into 'casual owners' for want of a better phrase, and the rabbit sales community (breeders, shops, social media etc.). I agree with Graciee that it might put people off wanting to adopt single rabbits (the few that there are) or lops. I also agree that I think lops are unfairly targeted: Nethies are surely worse off? And what about those with genetic megacolon?
I don't disagree with what they're doing but it seems like it's all a bit wrong/misguided/could be better TBH. Like the Woodland Trust 'save every tree' lack of holistic approach.
I also wrote a thing about lop rabbits (shameless self-promotion! Also cute pics of my bunnies ): https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/groups/hearingsciences/ear-facts/hearing-in-rabbits.aspx It focuses on hearing but does include a list of other lop issues. Lopsy is profoundly deaf so it seemed daft not to write something about him
I get not the single buns, no lops seems a bit OTT.. I don't like the rwaf anyway though, seems like something they'd do [emoji38]
(which I know is probably an unpopular opinion)
Haha that's interesting! Felt like I was the only one [emoji38][emoji38] I've been meaning to cancel for ages tbh, regardless of this.They have certainly lost some Supporters over this one. I want to read the statement for myself before making my decision. If it is how others have reported then I will be reconsidering my Membership.
BTW, more people than you think may hold your opinion, they just dare not post about it [emoji38]
Haha that's interesting! Felt like I was the only one [emoji38][emoji38] I've been meaning to cancel for ages tbh, regardless of this.
They do have a lot of decent info on rabbit care though for a novice, so that's a positive [emoji38]