A win for population control?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

While I don’t like that they said ‘rabbits don’t become pets like cats and dogs do-I do like that they are considering banning the sale of rabbits in pet stores! In fact I love it!

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/life/pets/R…story.html

[jerseygirl]

Maybe write a letter to the Editor K&K? Clear some things up.   Also a chance to champion adoption and speutering.

They’re proposing a fine for keeping unfixed rabbits? Interesting!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Yeah-Honestly it’s a big can of worms with dog people, but I think EVERYWHERE should have that will all domestic pets (dogs, cats, rabbits) -you either buy a breeder license yearly-or you have everything fixed no matter what.

Hmmm-the person who said they don’t become pets and cannot be out of their cage was a counstable quoted in the article, not the article itself…do you think it’s worth writing in to correct? I do like writting the papers-have been published in letters several times

[Monkeybun]

Is it worth it? OF COURSE its worth it! People reading that may start to think thats the official word of bunnies. We’d better correct them.

[jerseygirl]

I suggested it as you’re a local too. You could be building some credibility with readers as “the rabbit person” as this is same paper your rescue article was published in wasn’t it?

To quote the article:

“People think they’re a cute little bunny, then they start to smell, bite and scratch after about six months,” Coun. Harold Steves, chair of the parks and recreation committee, said Tuesday.

“They don’t become pets like dogs or cats. You can’t let them out of their cage. They end up being released and creating problems,” he said.

I would want to elaborate on the reasons why they “become smelly, bite & scratch” and how it can be remedied. Then onto how they can be a wonderful pet within the home. If people knew this and how to tackle the issues that may come up then they’d be less likely to dump a bothersome pet.

I sort of think if they pass the petshop sale ban bylaw, I’d want the speutering bylaw to be passed simultaneously. What could happen with one but not the other is people could cash in on the former pet store’s market by back-yard breeding.

They should pass a law that require mandatory education on the pet you are purchasing before you can by it. Like a getting a license.

[bigsis7]

Sounds like a great idea to me! I agree it’s worth it to clear that up ;].

[Beka27]

I would absolutely send a letter in. Be sure to be clear about your support for the ban (and maybe make a push for “No Easter Bunnies!”) but clear it up that altered and properly cared for rabbits can make fantastic house pets, very much like a dog or cat.

[Lintini]

Obviously I need to send that man a photo of my room to show him rabbits absolutely can be free range. I bet he would fall over to see Indy sleeping in my bed with me too. What an ignorant thing to say. Do these people even research at all before they stand on their soap box and preach? I would absolutely send in a letter and tell them how false they are!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Alrighty guys I sent a letter. I’ve never been not published-I sent it to the author as well. I don’t get the paper but read online-usually I find out I’ve been published because my parent’s friends phone my parents to tell them lol

 

This letter is in response to the article “Richmond getting tough on rabbits” by Kent Spencer

While I’m pleased that Richmond is adopting such a wonderful and modern approach to the rabbit overpopulation problem, I’m displeased at the article as it were written.

I can see that the statements about rabbits were in fact quoted statements made by a constable for the article, they unfortunately completely misrepresent the truth. I doubt that was the intent of this man, and this is not an affront on his intelligence, but I would like an attempt to clear these misconceptions, for when they appear in print they are carried on.

It was stated that rabbits do not become pets ‘like cats and dogs’ do. And it was further purported that they smell and are aggressive, and further that they cannot be let out of a cage.

While there is a portion of the population who chooses to keep rabbits in this fashion, rest assured if a zoo were to do, the animal rights groups would be, quite literally, having a cow about it. Keeping a rabbit in cage and simply feeding it like it were a fish in an aquarium is asking for problems.
They are intelligent sentient beings who live as long or longer then dogs and cats.

Keeping a rabbit in a cage is akin to neglect. Good rabbit husbandry calls for rabbits to be out of their cage for at least four hours a day; they need this exercise and stimulation just like any other animal would.

And rabbits do smell and can cause problems-when improperly kept. When they are looked after properly, spay/neutered and afforded care and stimulation, toys and exercise-they can be quite delightful pets.

In fact a growing trend is seeing rabbits, not in cages, but free ranging the home, litter trained and affection: quite like dogs and cats. When allowed to be part of the household and afforded the care that is needed, rabbits are intelligent and social beings who surprise their owners with their antics and unique personalities.

[jerseygirl]

Woot!   I especially like the bit about “having a cow”.

[Beka27]

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Monkeybun]

Yay! Hopefully it gets published

[Lunar~Atticus]

i loved the letter!!! amazing written and i hope it gets published! being new to the world of rabbits and being ignorant to their amazing ways before getting one, i once thought to that they made horrible pets and then my curiousty got the best of me and i got one and will more then likely always have a pet rabbit(s) just as i will always have a dog(s).

i sincerely hope it gets published!

[Balefulregards]

Good for You KK – We picked this up as a Canada Mom Blogs topic and I volunteered to do the write up – and the Syndicate decided to promote this post through the whole network.

It is an idea whose time has certainly come.

http://www.canadamomsblog.com/2010/03/the-hare-truth.html#more

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