A Question of Ethics

[LB&Me]

LB went back to live outdoors when the weather improved this spring, on the promise from my parents that they would bring him inside every day for plenty of attention. Months went by, with me constantly reminding them that they never kept their end, and still nothing. He never came indoors, not even once.

Cut to the thunderstorm that’s hit the UK, and I brought him indoors for the day without their permission after I found him sat there soaked and miserable. They actually had the audacity to be angry at me for getting our lone bunny out of the elements and after a huge debate, forced him back out into the wind and rain. He’s not even allowed to stay in for the night.

They are now saying that if I think they’re being unethical by doing this, they will rehome him and no matter how much I argue they don’t seem to realise that they’re doing the wrong thing. They’re now insisting that he’s going to a new home and slammed the door in my face.

Note, I didn’t engage in arguing myself and only tried to reason with them.

Anything I can do? 

[Dface]

I’m sorry you’re in such am awful situation.
If youre parents are adamant that he can’t live indoors, and hes living alone outside with little to no interaction, rehoming him might actually be a very justifiable decision.

It sounds like your parents do not have the time or space for a rabbit to be kept properly, and in a previous post you mentioned you suffer with your health. So despite being loved, LB is not living a particularly good life (from what you have described)
House rabbits can be kept as individuals because they have human interaction so often. But outdoor rabbits shouldn’t be alone – it’s against all of their instincts. And because they’re so social, its genuinely unfair.

I know it’s a horrible thing to consider, but perhaps if you looked into rehoming him yourself you could at least chose a home you know he’d be well cared for in?

[kurottabun]

That’s terrible Unfortunately if you are still living under the same roof as your parents, then they will most likely call the shots.

Sadly I have to second what Dface said. But is there any chance that you might’ve caught your parents in a bad mood for some reason? Sometimes people get unreasonable and block off all logic when they’re in a bad mood, and your parents may have flipped not really because of the fact that the rabbit is in the house, but because they were angry at you for defying them. I don’t know your parents personally or your relationship with them so I can’t say for sure, but it’s something to think about.

Could you try talking to them again in the nicest way possible? Sit them down calmly and tell them you would like to discuss about the bunny. Tell them sincerely without losing your cool how you feel about the whole situation. Try to use the right words and not haul “accusations” at them (I know it may not actually be accusations, but some parents have a lot of ego and can’t tolerate being called “unethical” etc. – they view that as being disrespectful especially coming from their kids).

Wishing you and LB both the very best xx

[Sirius&Luna]

Do you live at home? Do you go outside to interact with him at least? How much time do you spend with him each day?

[Daisy]

Bunnies are fine outside in UK weather as long as they can stay dry and have places to hide against wind. If your actual bunny got soaking wet and not just the outside of the hutch, you need to come up with a solution to prevent that happening again. In no circumstance should a bunny get soaking wet from rain if its in its hutch, they will get cold and sick.

Furthermore, bunnies outside without a bunny companion need frequent interaction to prevent loneliness. You not being allowed to bring them inside means that you will have to interact with them outside (which should be quite fun now that it’s summer ). I was never allowed to bring my bunnies inside as a kid either so I just played with them in our backyard. If you can’t bring yourself to go outside and interact with your bunny frequently, I would suggest finding a friend for him to keep him company so that he doesn’t need you anymore.

That being said, your parents seem quite unethical when it comes to animals. Therefore, I would suggest:
– Making sure your bunny cannot get wet and has places to hide from wind and sun in his hutch
– Interacting with your bunny outside to keep it company frequently (fun in summer, a little less fun in the winter but such is life

). If they don’t care about 1 bunny they will care even less about 2 buns, so a mate does not seem to be a good option.

If you cannot do both of these things, you may want to look into rehoming him. Having a single bunny outside getting wet (= cold and sick!) and being all alone all day is not a nice way to spend a bunlife. Such a shame your parents are so uneducated on animals and don’t wish to learn from you. I hope you will learn to never ignore your children’s advice when you’re old and have kids of your own, being young doesn’t always mean not knowing what’s best! I find that you have a great heart for animals and the guts to try and make your bunnies life best, good on you! Your parents and many other minors can learn from that.

[sarahthegemini]

Your parent’s behaviour is absolutely disgraceful. I am utterly appalled.

You need to rehome him. Keeping him outside is one thing, but never letting him in for human interaction is incredibly unfair. How lonely he must be Not letting him in during extreme weather is unacceptable – rabbits can die of shock from a sudden change in temperature and something like a thunderstorm could give him a heart attack. Unless they change their ways, your rabbit is going to live a miserable life of neglect. How can they be so callous

[Gordo and Janice]

I’m sorry you are going through this. You are a wonderful person to acknowledge and address the injustice of the situation of your poor bunny. And I applaud you for asking for help and guidance in finding the best solution. The really hard part will be implementing the best solution if it goes against what you want in your heart but know is best for your bunny.

Good advice has been given. One of the absolute most basic needs for any living creature is appropriate and safe shelter. If that cannot be provided then the answer to the solution is obvious. Often times the best thing is the most difficult thing to do because while we know consciously what is probably best, it is usually the exact extreme opposite of what we emotionally are willing to accept. You are dealing with tough issues for sure. I hope you can work this out to the benefit of your precious bunny in whatever direction you go. And by making these tough decisions with regard to, and in the benefit of, your bunny, you are benefiting yourself too, in many ways, in the long run. Best wishes.

[Author]

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