I am quite naïve (I’m am sure you worked that out already, ha ha) especially when I don’t have the experience and knowledge first hand so I probably shouldn’t have responded/posted on this forum (sorry). But after reading the article which took me by total surprise (I had no idea!) I couldn’t get why a PET rabbit wasn’t respected the same as a dog or cat? My thoughts were rabbits were domesticated as pets (like dog’s and cat’s) so don’t they deserve the same rights/respect? If I was mislead by the article in relation to the dental ‘bill’ – I’m sorry.
Anyhow what I wanted to add (because I just don’t get the whole ‘wasting money on the PET bunny shelter’ thing???) just recently during our heatwave the RSPCA were out and about saving baby bats from the mothers that died due to heat. They are protected here to everyone’s horror when they set up colonies in their neighbourhood – they are seen as pests. And every resource went into their care (as so it should – cause no one deserves that). But how much did that cost the QLD tax payer? No amount was ever specified, and no one cared – everyone just ooh’ed and ahhh’ed over the babies. But!!!! not long ago I watched an article on TV referring to “found” ‘lost pet birds’, and to remind everyone that has ‘lost’ a pet bird to contact the RSPCA. We may not allow bunnies here, but I believe we have a good respect for ALL pets. (?)
If this couple are prepared to give up their time, expertise (education) and home/property to do this along with a few dollars in Government funding (which they are entitled – I do know a bit about that from previous employment) and private donations – good for them!
I have heard a lot of complaints from the farmer’s out west trying to cope with the drought, along with the ‘wild’ rabbits, hares and kangaroo’s. But I think we should all know we are talking PET rabbits.
And Eepster – good point! The pests that have been introduced to our country to eradicate or deal with another pest is laughable! In QLD we have many pests – the one that we (QLD) are famous for is the ‘toad’! Bloody horrible things! and yes, they were introduced to us to control something (who knows what) but they have caused so much destruction to our beautiful wildlife. So sad.
(My Molly who eventually passed from old age – I almost drowned him once from holding his mouth/face under a full running tap to wash away the toad poison and froth coming from his mouth – it was a horrible experience! and luckily he survived. He lived to 15).
Keep up the good work RRO – you should be admired and appreciated, which I’m sure you are by the ‘majority’! (we Aussie’s love a pet).
PS – I do support the RSPCA and my local shelter. I just choose to do it directly to THEM. Cheers.