Petshops - Guidelines to Reduce Abandoned Rabbits
Every year over many thousands of rabbits end up in rescue centres across the UK. After discussing with rabbit owners and welfare worker's Rabbit Rehome has come up with some suggestions to help pet shops to help us combat this problem.
Long Haired Breeds
For the majority of pet owners rabbits with long hair pose too much of a commitment. Many end up taken to rescues with terrible mats and skin problems as people don't realise the amount of daily grooming involved, they look adorable but take hours of work a week to keep that way. We suggest that longhaired breeds are not sold.
Multiple Rabbits
Rabbits greatly benefit from the company of another rabbit but not all pairings are good matches. Young rabbits will happily live in same sex pairs but unless neutered male and possibly females will start fighting as they mature, which can be as young as 12-14 weeks. Opposite sex pairs are unlikely to fight but must be separated at 10 weeks to prevent breeding and be neutered before being put back together.
Both the Rabbit Welfare Association and the RSPCA state that rabbits and guinea pigs should not be kept together. They have different dietary requirements to each other and rabbits have been known to kill or seriously injure guinea pigs.
Neutering
Male rabbits can be neutered at 14-16 weeks and females at 5-6 months. This is beneficial for all rabbits not just to prevent breeding/fighting in rabbits kept in pairs. Rabbits are often brought into rescues as they mature because of hormone driven behaviour such as spraying and aggression, which can be prevented by neutering. Neutering also it also prevents uterine cancer, which effects 80% of female rabbits over 5 years old. Please let customers know about neutering.
Sexing Rabbits
Incorrect sexing of rabbits is a very common problem as it is difficult to tell the difference in young animals. Unfortunately it�s usually to late by the time the owner notices and an unwanted litter of babies is the result. Please make sure staff are properly trained in identifying rabbits sex, double check don�t just rely on which pen they were in and recommend owners visit the vets to double check before introducing to another rabbit.
Obtaining Rabbits for Sale
Please check very carefully where you obtain animals you sell from. Rescue centres have recently been involved in several cases where people that were supplying animals to pet shops were keeping the animals in appalling conditions. This meant the pet shops were receiving animals that were not socialised and were harbouring disease. The best sources are those that only produce a few animals at a time so they are well handled, have good living conditions and the babies should not be up for sale until they are at least 8-10 weeks old. A good alternative to selling rabbits is giving out details of local rescue centres.
Hutches/Starter Kits
Starter kits aimed at baby rabbits are a good idea in principle but unfortunately people rarely upgrade leaving adult rabbits is small cramped conditions, which led to health problems. Rabbit hutches should be a minimum of 4-5 foot long and should have plenty of headroom, rabbits also need an exercise run. Alternatively rabbits can be kept as house pets, though care should be taken to protect electric cables.
Information
Providing accurate written information on rabbit care is essential, many people falsely believe that rabbits are easy to keep and require no special knowledge. This isn�t true. Suggest prospective owners take time to read the information and some books before coming back for the rabbit itself at a later date. Leaflets are available from many organisations including The Blue Cross, RSPCA and the Rabbit Welfare Association.
Rabbits as Presents
Please consider not selling rabbits in the time leading up to Easter and Christmas there is always a big influx of rabbits into rescues after these periods. A gift certificate or a book on care is a good alternative.
Rabbits and Children
Children have short attention spans and favourite 'toys' can quickly be discarded. Young children cannot be expected to assume responsibility for cleaning, feeding and spotting illnesses. Older children may lose interest in rabbits as they grow into teenagers, going off to college or university is a common time for rabbits to be given up to rescue centres. Rabbit's should only join the family if an adult is willing to take responsibility even if the child gets bored.
Most importantly: don�t sell a rabbit unless you feel the owner is going to meet all its needs!
Further Resources
Rabbit Rehome
www.rabbitrehome.org.uk
Email: info@rabbitrehome.co.uk
Rabbit Rehome works closely with rescue centres and members of the public to help rehome unwanted rabbits. Information including posters and leaflets are available on our website at: http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/education
Rabbit Welfare Association
PO Box 603, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 5WL
Tel: 0870 046 5249
The RWA provides a wide range of leaflets (which pet shops may purchase) and information along with advice on rabbit care and welfare. The also maintain a list of rabbit rescue centres.
British Rabbit Council
Purefoy House, 7, Kirkgate, Newark, Notts NG24 1AD
Tel: 01636-676042
Fax: 01636-611683
The BRC is a support organisation for rabbit breeders. They can provide information on what to look for in a good breeder and also information on breeders in your local area.
Resources including posters and leaflets are available on our website at: http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/education