The reality of "just one litter" - 15/03/2005
These 4 lionhead / angora cross breed baby females were deliberately bred by a lady who thought they would be "nice for her children to see" and that she would sell them. She obtained her own male and female from a rabbit breeder who gave her the impression it was "easy" to find homes for the babies and that there was money to made in breeding. The lady decided to give it a go and a litter of cute little fluffy babies were born just before christmas. One baby died which is common amongst first time bunny mothers. The lady advertised them in the paper, in her childrens schools and was unable to sell them.
Despite being responsible for bringing them into this world, she was then unwilling to commit to them for any longer claiming she didnt have the space or time for 4 more rabbits. Letting her rabbits have "just one litter" has now resulted in 4 long haired baby females looking for homes here at our rescue aged just 12 weeks.
This situation fills us at the rescue with great sadness and some anger. It is ignorance such as this that means we must exisit as a rescue and we would like nothing more in the world than to not be needed any longer. Every deliberately bred and ignornantly purchased rabbit denies a home to a rabbit here in the rescue.
These females will cost £120 EACH for us to have fully vaccinated and spayed before they are rehomed and we have recieved no financial help from the lady who bred them. Clearly her responsibility towards them is over.
The babies will require daily grooming to manage their fluffy fur and because of this we anticipate it will be very difficult to find commited homes prepared to do this for the animals 8-10 year life span. However, the bunnies could be regularly clipped to avoid this. In our opinion it is utterly cruel to breed rabbits with long fluffy fur they are unable to care for themselves and then sell them as pets. Long haired rabbits are simply feeding the selfish human desire for "cute and fluffy". This type of fur has no place in nature and natural evolution. Once again humanity has imposed its wishes on those unable to have their own say. These types of breed are absoultely ripe for neglect and abuse as just a few days without grooming could easily lead to fly strike, maggot attacks and smelly matted fur leading to painful skin infections and urine scald.
PLEASE carefully consider the implictions of the "just one litter" or the baby rabbits you are thinking of buying this easter.
If you REALLY want a rabbit, wait until the hype is over and come and see us for full support before and after you adopt your bunny. Be part of the solution and DONT support delberately bred litters sold by breeders or pet shops.
Are you able to assist us by sponsoring one of these babies to be spayed and vaccinated?
Or are you one of those rare individuals who has the time to spend making sure these bunnies are kept in tip top condition? Please contact us if you are.
