Friday, June 17, 2011

Why Rabbits?


Why rabbits?

You know, it seems like I’ve been asked this question a lot lately.  Why did I choose pet rabbits?  Why do I choose to help rescue rabbits?  They’re a lot of work.  They take up a lot of my time.  People see them as “children’s pets”.  You can get one for $15.  Why not just get a dog or a cat?  Yes, I’ve heard it all.  If you’ve never had a pet rabbit (really had a pet rabbit – not one confined to an outdoor hutch), the answer is difficult to put into words.  

I don’t know what it was at the moment I laid eyes on the bunny that was to become Zoie, my first rabbit.  I was in a pet store, and there were all these cute baby bunnies running around.  My eyes just locked in on him.  I knew that he was mine.  I don’t know why.  There was just something about him.  Some little girl asked the pet store worker if she could hold him, and I watched in agony.  I was terrified that the little girl would take him home.  He was MY rabbit!!  Well, obviously the little girl didn’t take him.  Yes, my first bunny was an impulse pet store purchase, which makes me cringe now, but Zoie is the one that started it all.

I muddled through learning proper rabbit care via the internet and a rabbit-savvy vet.  I learned that Zoie’s cage was too small.  I learned he needed to be neutered.  I got a crash course in nursing a sick bunny.  My poor Zoie was very acquainted with the vet.  Despite everything he went through, his sweet, trusting spirit remained.  He fought so hard through so many illnesses, and when he finally couldn’t fight any more, I was devastated.

All of my bunnies since Zoie have been rescues.  Chloe languished in an outdoor hutch for two years in the hot Florida sun.  Milhouse was dumped in a park, where he was attacked by predators, and miraculously survived.  Kahlua was my lucky bun.  He was born at the rescue.  It is mind-boggling to me that someone, at some point, didn’t want them.  If you’ve never had a house rabbit, you don’t know the joy of seeing a former hutch bunny do a binky for the first time.  You’ve never experienced the happy leap of your heart when a timid bunny nose bonks you for pets for the first time.  You’ve never seen a neglected bunny toss a toy for the first time, or a malnourished bunny eat hay for the first time.  I can’t describe what it’s like.  It’s one of the most satisfying feelings on the face of the earth.  If you’ve never had house rabbits, you don’t know how funny they are – believe me, rabbits have a sense of humor!  They continually make me laugh.  You’ve never seen the intelligence in their eyes.  Rabbits are smart – some more than others, but they’ve all got it.  You’ve never had a bunny comfort you when you’re down.  I’ve had days when I just sit tearfully in the middle of the floor, and my bunnies always come running over, as if to ask, “What’s wrong?”  They proceed to nose bonk me until I crack a smile.  This is why I have rabbits as pets.

Why do I concern myself with rescuing rabbits?  There are so few people in this world who even care what becomes of rabbits.  To most, they are disposable children’s pets.  Dogs and cats have a huge following, which is wonderful, but bunnies need a voice too.  Have you ever seen a bunny with nails so long they have completely curled around?  Teeth so neglected they have turned into tusks?  Bunnies so emaciated that it’s amazing they’re still breathing?  Have you seen botflies, ear mite infestations so bad the ears fell down, broken bones, fly strike, or rabbits so riddled with reproductive cancer they must be put down?  To me, it’s astonishing that these bunnies keep fighting.  Even at death’s door, they will still have that spark in their eyes – that will that says, “I want to live.  I want to be loved.  I deserve to be wanted.  Help me.”  That is why I fight for them.

I have to listen to people’s cruel comments – from the intentionally awful comments to the completely ignorant ones.  “I love rabbits – they taste like chicken!”  “I used to have a bunny.  It got out one day and the dog ripped it apart.”  “Whatever happened to that bunny we used to have?”  I cringe when I hear these – and believe me, rabbit rescuers hear them on almost a daily basis.  It is shocking to me how little people care.  Rabbits are treated in ways that would absolutely outrage people were they dogs or cats.  Rabbits are still classified as poultry, which means they are exempt from even being humanely slaughtered.  So yes, I will keep loving and keep fighting for these amazing, intelligent, hilarious, strong creatures.

Why rabbits?

Why not rabbits?

 In memory of Zoie...the one who started it all (2002-2008)

33 comments:

  1. What a great post Sarah. Thank you.
    Brownie, Bella and the slave, Debbie

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  2. My rabbit was an impulse store buy too ... sort of. The pet store had been closing down for weeks. I went in one day and saw this little gray bunny. He was all by himself. I kept returning every week as the shop slowing started emptying out. Finally, one day, I knew I was going to take him home - consequences be damned. I did - and I don't regret it. One day, when I've got the time and location to do more, I'm pretty certain I'll help rescue other rabbits too.

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  3. Your story reminded me of my Tiny! She was an impulse purchase and it was her who taught us about rabbit care... Our family knew nothing! We were so ignorant! But we were fortunate to learn to let us teach her, just because of our love for animals in general. She was a HUGE Californian, which made her name so ironically funny. We loved her so much that when we moved from Bogota, Colombia to Florida, we had her paperwork done so she could move as well. She was family! But yeah, our ignorance did cost us in the end. She lived good 7 years but eventually had to be put down because of reproductive cancer.
    My sister now owns a bunny of her and rescued another who has since passed away. I own a dutch who is hysterical, but as my grandma calls him, is my faithful companion.
    Thank you for your post. I will be posting it on my facebook!

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  4. So similar to my own story of "Why Rabbits?" it made my cry. Thank you for writing this <3

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  5. I found your blog via Beverly Bowser, who is a friend on facebook. I am so glad firstly that I found Beverly and now that I have found you!!! I have added myself as a follower to your blog. I too commenced my bunny journey as you did "sisters" only 5wks old in a petstore. Turned out to be brother and sister! Same old story I know. Long story short in 2 short months we had grown from 2 to 18!!! After the first litter of 9 I had Angel neutered but unbeknownst to me he "visited" Teegee the day he went to the vets, the day she gave birth! 31short days later 7more kits!! I was lucky - I able to home all of them and am pleased to say they were ALL forever homes, I still see some of their babies regularly - I was tough and only allowed like minded owners to adopt. We have suffered our illnesses - Teegee and Patches have been the most needy, but touch wood those days are over. Take care and I look forward to reading more of your blog ;o)

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  6. Our first rabbit was also from a pet store, yes you could say impulse but I knew that I wanted a rabbit. My children were instantly hooked, and now I am proud to say that my oldest daughter is a rabbit rescuer.

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  7. Thank you for finding the words to express the beauty that is a lagomorph.

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  8. Wonderful story. Thank you for posting and the love for bunnies. Our first two were purchased from a farm store before I learned of rabbit rescue. All those that have followed are rescued. Nose rubs to your fur babies :)

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  9. Wonderful post - thank you for sharing. I recently lost my pet rabbit, and it made me smile to read your post and know there are other people out there who love their bunnies as much as I loved her. Thanks again!

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  10. Well I teared up reading this - my first bun (Bunny) was a pet store bun. Almost an impulse, but we did go home and think about it first (for a whole five minutes). She's my best bud and always makes me smile, even though she's got chronic snuffles and doesn't play well with others.

    My other two are rescues - a mother/daughter bonded pair (Mamabun and Coco). They were passed around from shelter to shelter, in a few homes, but when I saw that the SPCA was housing them in the dog kennels and they going to sell them separately, I cleared out a room of my house and brought them home together. They need each other.. Bunny doesn't like them, but they get their own space and everybody is happy.

    I can't imagine life without my bun-uns.. we just make each other so happy. :)

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  11. I have never had a rabbit as a pet, I was more of a hamster kind of kid, but I can certainly understand how you feel. Never could understand how people could consider dogs, cat, rabbits, etc so low and care not how they treated them. Kudos to you for being a rescuer!

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  12. Hi Sarah! I, too, am an accidental bunny mom. I got Bruno and Coco at a flea market (I know -rabbit people frown on that, but they were TOTAL impulse buys!) Now that I'm much more aware of rabbits and their needs, it KILLS me to see one stuck in a hutch. UGH! They ARE a ton of work, but SO cute! Now mine are making noises. Are you in South Flroida? I saw two rabbits you could tell used to be pets at Crandon Park (old zoo area.) Anyhow, just wanted to write and say I enjoyed yoour post very much. :-)

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  13. Bunnies are awesome little creatures. While I am more of a cat person, I definitely see bunnies as much more than a disposable pet. Actually, I don't really feel there are disposable pets. If you take in a creature, you need to be responsible for it for as long as it lives. They all have personalities. Even my turtles have something special about them that make me laugh.

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  14. This made me cry for so many reasons... so sad, so proud, so angry... so happy! Those that do not know the love of a house rabbit are the ones who are missing out on a wonderful companion. Their loss. Keep on rescuing them.

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  15. Awesome. Are you at RSMAS? If so, you're not the only bunny lover at UM. Are you aware of H.A.R.E.?

    www.bio.miami.edu/hare

    Come visit us!

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  16. My own first rabbit was a pet store buy; not so much of an impulse buy, as we did think it through for about a month or so beforehand. Our second rabbit was, though--he was not a handsome rabbit, and as the months passed, he remained at the pet store. We finally couldn't stand to see him there so lonely and bought him as a companion for our first bun, also a male...or so we had been told. One accidental litter later and we found out otherwise. It was an amazing experience (although one I would not recommend to anyone now), but it started my love for rabbits. That was about 25 years ago. Currently, I have one spoiled rotten mini-lop who I adopted from the local humane society (the woman who dropped him off there claimed to have found him in her basement). He is such a lovey-bun that I cannot for the life of me understand how anyone could have neglected (and then rejected) him.

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  17. Love the post. And it turns out my current rabbit Jilly, also once a very badly neglected / abused rescue is part English spot and French lop mix, mostly white, similar down to the loppy ear and all of the photo you posted of Zoie. Thanks.

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  18. Beautiful post!
    (I came here via the House Rabbit Society posting this link, btw)
    I wish more people would think as you do, that rabbits are just as deserving of love and care as the more 'normal' domestic indoor pets.
    We have two rescue buns and a third (8 week old)we just bought from a meat-breeder...I'd *never* buy from a pet breeder, but this little girl was going to be family dinner soon, so I feel it was justified. Kept outdoors in the cold and muck, she was still such a sweet thing who loved being held and cuddled...
    Four days later, she's still the sweetest little thing ever, delights in her freedom and warmth indoors with us and nosepats...ah, noooosepats.....little head goes almost vertical with bliss.
    They delight me like no other pet, and there's now way we would ever choose to stop rescuing and loving them. Rabbits are the best pets I've ever known. :-)

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  19. Thank you for sharing your heartfelt story, and the beginning of your rabbit-ness. You put into words so well what represents how so many of us became rabbit owners. Owning a rabbit is like an awakening of a sense you didn't know you had, a bond that you weren't aware was possible, and a realization that a rabbit is more than a pet--- but a true companion.
    My first rabbit was also an impulse buy from a pet store, however because my college-aged daughter rescued a rabbit--I knew a little about them. I very critically informed the store manager how poorly they were caring for this large rabbit in tiny cage, and not even providing him with hay, clean cage, or a floor that was safe for his feet! I told them they had no business selling rabbits if they didn't even know how to take care of them properly and weren't capable of advising new owners how to care for one! I went on until they gave me the rabbit! (and all I went to the store for was parrot food!). So I sort of consider that my impulse was a rescue. But I never regretted bringing Tofu home, and the gift of his love in return. They are just as deserving of being cared for, loved, and protected as any other pet.

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  20. Omg I just looked closely at your header picture....bunnyfish! That is too cute. :-D

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  21. Thank you for this wonderful blog post. It is poignant and well written. I've been working with bunny rescues for about two years now and dog rescue for seven and it is shocking to see the vast differences in protective laws. I too have encountered those "questions" about my house bunnies. My current two bunnies (my second generation) are dynamic, hilarious, and loving. I created a photo album on facebook that highlights their day-to-day antics, and people love it. My goal is to publish a paper that speaks to the dearth of protections that exist for bunnies. Something really needs to be done.

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  22. Great post! A week ago, I had people talk about eating rabbits in front of me. So I deliberately turned the conversation around to eating cats and dogs. They got upset. Respect goes both ways. It's not nice to talk about eating someone's pet so don't do it! Do you think there will ever be a time when bunny breeding will be reduced? Surely there's no real money in it and with so many in fosters and rescues waiting for a home, it seems irresponsible.

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  23. Just found your blog and so glad I did. Love this post and truly feel the same way about each word written here. My first bunny was a pet store bun. I adored him. All the rest including the two I have now have been rescues.
    xx, shell

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  24. I could have written this story myself. I feel exactly the same for the exact same reasons.

    As a rabbit educator for the House Rabbit Society I have heard every one of those terrible comments made by the public many times.

    I know that it is mostly because of ignorance and that because rabbits are so misunderstood that the public behaves this way, but it still breaks my heart.

    I hope that someday, rabbits will be respected as wonderful companion animals and are given the same protections as dogs and cats. Until then, we all must take our message to the people and show them how completely wrong many of their beliefs are about lagomorphs.

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  25. Wonderful - very well said! My first house bun came from a feedstore, that had a bunch of babies for sale. That little brown rabbit changed my life, and started me on the road to rabbit rescue. Thank you...

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  26. I was cheering and clapping at every word. My first 2 bunnies came from a backyard breeder. Like you, I had no idea of the plight of the bunnies but know so much more now. The immense amount of ignorance out there just floors me. Bunnies change who you are, if you are willing to really take the time to know them. Thank goodness there are people who rescue buns (and guinea pigs and other little furries that need help)

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  27. BRAVO! I nodded my head in agreeance at every sentence. You just put into words very eloquently what so many people need to hear. Very heartfelt and touching. If you reach even just one person and make them change their thinking about bunnies, you have done a great service for them. Thank you!

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  28. Beautiful post. Thanks for sharing. My wife and I became bunny people after getting a bunny who had half his fur licked off from guinea pigs in the store window - they were going to "dispose" of him when we brought Mister Bunny home and spent 11 fantastic years enjoying one another's company and learning exactly how smart, playful and fun a rabbit could be.

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  29. That was very touching. I can totally relate to your words. You've taken the words right from my mouth.

    I work at a pet store and I spend all day attempting to pound appropriate rabbit care into ignorant heads. It's so disheartening to try to eliminate the lack of care for the animals, but the education needs to happen. Most customers just raise their eyebrows and blow me off because they truely feel that I am trying to rip them off, take their money, and feed them lies about rabbit care. I love my job because my store doesn't sell rabbits. We have a strong stance against animal cruelty and encourage people to adopt through shelters or rescues, but to educate themselves about rabbits first. We (myself in particular) also withhold the right to refuse sales to anyone we deem unfit to purchase animals. The sad thing is that we have a flea market where I live and there are vendors that sell bunnies as livestock and snake feeders. The conditions are atrocious. I have customers buy these diseased, sick rabbits and then come to me asking about care and for medical advice. When I recommend the three local vets that see rabbits (one being an exotic specialist), I am met with sarcasm about how this poor baby bunny in a cardboard box (because they haven't even taken it home yet, probably to a 10 gal aquarium w/ cedar bedding and alfalfa pellets) and suffering from coccidia only cost $5, and how unreasonable it is for me to assume that the customer wants to pay for the vet bill when they are certain I know SOME quick cure-all to fix the problem.

    So, now that I have thrown in my 2 cents, thank you for being a voice for bunnies. I wish there were more of us out there. I know it can be SO awful and hard to see. It feels like you're pushing a boulder up a hill. It's certainly a weight on my mind and heart. Thank you for standing up.

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  30. To me a life with out a bunny is a sad life. bunnies give me so much joy and laughter my days would be full of stress with out them. I admit like you my first rabbit was a pet store purchase 20 years ago, but everybun I have had since then has been a rescue. Thanks for writing this. Hopefully someone will remember and not make a impulse pet store purchase.

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  31. Thank youm tvank you its exactly how i feel there isent anything i wouldent do for ny bunny heck i would even cut off my arm if it saved my bunny. Thanjs for thecgreat work you do, sadly most of my bunnies have been from the pet store sence i havent found a orgenasasion in sweden that take care of unwanted bunnies.

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