Why rabbits?

Why Rabbits? According to Oryctoichthyes blog.


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....

Read the rest.

Companion Animal Welfare Inquiry – Notice of Motion

(Parliament House)
MS CLOVER MOORE to move—
That this House:
(1) Appoints a select committee to inquire on companion animal welfare with the view to improving their welfare.
(2) That the committee consider the following:

(a) The number and cause of companion animals arriving in NSW shelters and pounds each year and their outcome, such as whether they get re-homed, re-united or euthanized;

(b) Breeding of companion animals;

(c) The practices associated with the sale of companion animals including from pet shops, markets, pounds, shelters, on-line, classifieds, or to the overseas market;

(d) Mandatory desexing including prior to sale;

(e) The effectiveness and enforcement of Department of Primary Industries’ companion animal policies, standards and guidelines;

(f) The effectiveness of the Companion Animals Act and its application by local government;

(g) The effectiveness of micro-chipping;

(h) Treatment of companion animals travelling by airplane;

(i) The impact of pet bans in accommodation including apartments, strata, retirement villages, and rental properties;

(j) The impact of pet bans on public transport;

(k) The existence and effectiveness of education programs on responsible pet ownership, including the importance of desexing;

(l) Data collection by government and non-government agencies to inform and monitor companion animal welfare; and,

(m) Any other matter relevant to improving companion animal welfare.

(3) That the Committee consist of six members as follows:

(a) Ms Clover Moore, who shall be Chair of the committee;

(b) Three shall be from the Government; and,

(c) Two non-government members.

(4) That the members be nominated in writing to the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly by the relevant party leaders within seven calendar days of the passing of this resolution.
(5) That at any meeting of the committee four members shall constitute a quorum.

from here.

Group in rabbit stew over heritage impact

THE Pittwater Natural Heritage Association is on a mission to ban rabbits being sold as pets.

The group has sent letters to pet shops from Manly to Avalon Beach, asking them to consider not selling rabbits and suggesting guinea pigs as an alternative pet.

It has also asked the Animal Welfare League to give away only desexed rabbits.

Read the full article here.

Please see my comment below and also add your opinion here and on the article page!