New figures from the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF), the biggest UK charity dedicated to improving the lives of ‘pet’ rabbits, 显示 that the number of unwanted rabbits has nearly doubled in 最近的 years.
The last meaningful survey conducted 由 the charity estimated the number of rabbits 给 up to rescue shelters at around 35,000. The organisation has recently conducted another survey, and was shocked to find the figure now standing at well over 67,000.
‘What is really worrying,’ 说 Richard Saunders, RWAF Veterinary Expert Advisor, ‘is that this number only reflects the cases where the rabbits have made it into rescue. We can't possibly quantify how many 更多 are dumped in the wild and left to fend for themselves, which leads to almost certain death. Then there are those who, when the novelty has worn off, are simply neglected and left often in a hutch with no access to exercise 太空 and almost no attention except for a handful of 食物 now and again.’
The charity also points out that countless unwanted pet rabbits are sold for 下一个 to nothing through classified ads both in newspapers and online as well as at livestock auctions. It is understood that many of these are bought as meat.
In the survey, almost all the rescue centres 说 that the problem is getting worse, with 更多 and 更多 people wanting to rehome their pet rabbits. Many 说 they are only able to take in around 10 per cent of the requests they receive, with most having waiting lists of 2-6 months. Many owners will not wait that long, and take their own steps to dispose of the animal.
The answer? Well the charity's message is simple on this one. Rabbits are not the cheap and easy children's pet that they are often mistaken as being. They are as big a commitment as a cat 或者 dog, and people should think long and hard, and do their research before taking them on. And even longer and harder before they decide to breed ‘just one litter’ from their pets, with even 更多 rabbits then needing to find homes. If 你 can't commit to providing rabbits with the space, companionship, vet care and proper diet for ten years 或者 more, then rabbits are not for you.
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For 更多 information: link
The last meaningful survey conducted 由 the charity estimated the number of rabbits 给 up to rescue shelters at around 35,000. The organisation has recently conducted another survey, and was shocked to find the figure now standing at well over 67,000.
‘What is really worrying,’ 说 Richard Saunders, RWAF Veterinary Expert Advisor, ‘is that this number only reflects the cases where the rabbits have made it into rescue. We can't possibly quantify how many 更多 are dumped in the wild and left to fend for themselves, which leads to almost certain death. Then there are those who, when the novelty has worn off, are simply neglected and left often in a hutch with no access to exercise 太空 and almost no attention except for a handful of 食物 now and again.’
The charity also points out that countless unwanted pet rabbits are sold for 下一个 to nothing through classified ads both in newspapers and online as well as at livestock auctions. It is understood that many of these are bought as meat.
In the survey, almost all the rescue centres 说 that the problem is getting worse, with 更多 and 更多 people wanting to rehome their pet rabbits. Many 说 they are only able to take in around 10 per cent of the requests they receive, with most having waiting lists of 2-6 months. Many owners will not wait that long, and take their own steps to dispose of the animal.
The answer? Well the charity's message is simple on this one. Rabbits are not the cheap and easy children's pet that they are often mistaken as being. They are as big a commitment as a cat 或者 dog, and people should think long and hard, and do their research before taking them on. And even longer and harder before they decide to breed ‘just one litter’ from their pets, with even 更多 rabbits then needing to find homes. If 你 can't commit to providing rabbits with the space, companionship, vet care and proper diet for ten years 或者 more, then rabbits are not for you.
Source: link
For 更多 information: link
Tips 或者 ways to help out 动物 in your hometown!
-Help out at an Animal Shelter!
-Gather friends/family and adopt a stray dog 或者 cat 或者 even some other animal
-Treat your dog/cat 或者 other 动物 well. When they do something wrong like steal 食物 from you, say "no" in a low voice INSTEAD of yelling and screaming at them. They cannot understand high pitches
-Tell your 老友记 to treat their 动物 the RIGHT Way. Like no loud screaming(if u have little siblings, that's okay) 或者 no slapping their butts if they do ONE SMALL THING (Trust me, I know)
-When helping at an Animal Shelter, make sure your mentors know to use a fake arm to test the animal's behavior
-If 你 see someone abusing their dog 或者 other animals, step up, take the animal away 或者 run straight to other help.
PLEASE! Try these out! They may help! 你 knows, maybe Animal Abuse will come to a stop. Don't forget to watch Animal Planet to learn 更多 about animal behavior
-Help out at an Animal Shelter!
-Gather friends/family and adopt a stray dog 或者 cat 或者 even some other animal
-Treat your dog/cat 或者 other 动物 well. When they do something wrong like steal 食物 from you, say "no" in a low voice INSTEAD of yelling and screaming at them. They cannot understand high pitches
-Tell your 老友记 to treat their 动物 the RIGHT Way. Like no loud screaming(if u have little siblings, that's okay) 或者 no slapping their butts if they do ONE SMALL THING (Trust me, I know)
-When helping at an Animal Shelter, make sure your mentors know to use a fake arm to test the animal's behavior
-If 你 see someone abusing their dog 或者 other animals, step up, take the animal away 或者 run straight to other help.
PLEASE! Try these out! They may help! 你 knows, maybe Animal Abuse will come to a stop. Don't forget to watch Animal Planet to learn 更多 about animal behavior