I don’t know what to do!

[Benthebunny]

,there is a user on Instagram who is keeping his rabbits in rusty wire bottomed cages. I don’t know what to do!
It does not look like they have food or water available. Someone help!

[Reesebun]

I think all you can do is inform them what is the right thing to do. It is so sad how some people treat their bunnies because they do not know any better, and they did no research before getting a rabbit.

[Benthebunny]

They speak another language. I feel really bad

[Benthebunny]

It’s like a farm though, and it’s in Kuwait. I’m concerned about the rabbits and their babies, they are being fed weird food. I can’t tell what it is but it looks like sunflower seeds.

[jerseygirl]

Hi Benthebunny

I have taken the instagram handle out of the original post as it is not within the Forum Rules and Guidelines, specifically parts 3.H and 3.I.

You can certainly talk with us here how to approach this situation though. 

[Benthebunny]

Oh, I’m so sorry jersey. I don’t know how to approach the situation, they are in a country far away from me. I am really upset.

[jerseygirl]

I think it is hard to see rabbits in this sort of set up when we have rabbits as indoor pets, where as many people view them as a stock animal. Even so, many areas have laws to protect stock animals to an extent, guidelines for adequete care.

Remember though, a photo does not always give the full “picture” so to speak. You would need to have a conversation with this person to learn more about the habitats and diet.

[Benthebunny]

Alright. Would it be bad if I just ignore it? I have been looking though the many photos of the rabbits, and atleast they have access to food? I don’t know

[jerseygirl]

If you think this person in non-English speaking, I don’t think there is a lot you can do…
There can be some pretty terrible things to come across on the internet. I know I am very sensitive to a lot of photos or videos people share in a campaign against something involving animals. There is so much of that. I can read some stories but pictures or video footage are too confronting and I have a hard time moving on from something upsetting Ive seen. So, I think it is important to protect yourself somewhat.
I try focus my energies elsewhere. Like on here where we can talk back and forth with people about their animals and try solve a problem together.

Have there been times on Instagram where you have been able to answers questions or give advice where it has had a positive outcome?

[Benthebunny]

Yes, a person wanted to give away their bunny because it was too destructive (exactly like Ben.) so I gave them advice to deal with a chewer. Someone needed money for their bunnies surgery, so I spread the word about the gofundme. There is nothing I can do about this situation, but what I will do is give my bunny the best life he can have, and he bunnies that I will have I the future. It will take me a while to move on from this, (it took me a long time to get over a bunny that has recently died on here that fought so hard.) but I hope I can forget about this, and move on.

[LBJ10]

I think that’s a good plan Benthebunny. Jersey have some great advice.

[Benthebunny]

Thank you LBJ10  

[Bam]

I think that’s very wise of you, Ben. I too try to help bunny owners on insta if I see posts asking for advice. I try to stay away from bad places on the Internet for the same reasons Jersey mentions. I would otherwise probably go insane. It’s not possible to carry the world’s atrocities on your shoulders. We can only do so much. We can first of all do our best to take really good care of our own pets. We can reach out to people in our communities, we can help spread good information about rabbit care.

This is a good thread, Ben, but if you absolutely want us to lock it, we can of course do that. But I think many of our members are having the same thoughts and concerns as you.

[Benthebunny]

Yes! Especially people with really bad anxiety, like me, should definitely stay away from those parts of the Internet, I just happened to stumble upon it looking at cute Nethie pics

[Reesebun]

Did someone say cute Nethie pics?

[Benthebunny]

Aaaaahhh! I have been attacked with cuteness! I’m going to explode!

[Bam]

Cuteness overload! Reese is so pretty, I love her spotted chest. Like a little partridge

[jerseygirl]

It’s Reese to the Rescue, Benbun !!!

[MrBun&Daisy]

I’m glad you kept this thread open ben! not everyone is a bun lover (the world would be much nicer if they were). I was in a pet store looking a the buns once and a lady came in with her little girl. she started saying how she had a bun when she was younger and that they make awful pets. She said they went to the bathroom everywhere and it didn’t let her hold it all them time (which she said meant it didn’t like her). I couldn’t help myself and told her I have 2 buns and they are well litter trained and you have to bond with buns differently as most don’t like to be held. she just laughed and said “well what kind of pet doesn’t want to be held!” i decided not to argue with her since it would do no good and that meant she wouldn’t be getting another bun anyway so i left it at that. My dad always says “its like talking to a brick wall..don’t waste your time”. it just wasn’t worth it for me to get all upset right there when she wouldn’t have cared anyway.

[Benthebunny]

people need to educate themselves!

[Odette]

I get terribly upset by poor conditions for animals and anything regarding abuse affects me in a similar way, Benthebunny. I want to do something. I want to rage and take action. And, I want to cry. Its heartbreaking that people can’t be better at human-ing (not a word, but it fits!).

I think its very good to be empathetic. Having a kind heart and being humane are two of the best qualities in humans. But, you also have to protect yourself and be kind to your own heart.

One thing that might help you and help others is if you took a pencil and paper and sketched out a diagram or infographic for how to house bunnies safely and humanely. You might not want to dwell on it that much. But if you find you can’t get your brain away from that place, try it. Don’t worry if the sketch is not perfect. People who design tend to be doodlers and scribblers when in concept mode.

Odette sends a nose rub to thank you for your good heart.

[Benthebunny]

Odette, that’s exactly how I feel. I want to help every animal. When did humans decide they were better than every other animal!

[Odette]

I don’t know, but humans are clearly wrong on that ??

[Benthebunny]

Totally. Right now, just thinking of the conditions were not horrible, but they were bad. And it just makes me want to cry and cry because thre is not anything I can do. I just want to scream as loud as I can.

[Odette]

I used to do that as a teen, no lie. I would get frustrated and go outside and scream and felt a lot better. But we lived on six acres, so no neighbors to freak out.

You are giving Ben the best imaginable life. He will never know anything but love. And everyone you tell about your love and experience as a bunny human will take that with them and hopefully pass the love and knowledge on. That’s no small thing.

[LittlePuffyTail]

It is incredibly hard sometimes being an animal lover on the Internet. I’m in a lot of animal rights groups and as such often am faced with extremely upsetting situations. It’s hard to let these images go after. All we can do is our best to help bunnies that are within our reach to help. And try to educate and spread awareness where we can.

[Theodorusrex]

This happened to me not long ago on instagram I saw another user raising awareness of a girl keeping a rabbit in horrible conditions in Singapore I think it was so she didn’t speak english.
Anyway the rabbit was in a tiny cage only the size of him and was fed ONLY carrots. In the end lots of people commented with advice about space and hay etc but it turned out the account was owned by a 10 year old or something and her mother deleted the account. No idea if any of the advice was taken on it breaks your heart.
All you can do in those situations is offer advice and education – you can only do so much, don’t let it upset you.

[jerseygirl]

Posted By Odette on 9/01/2016 3:24 PM

I get terribly upset by poor conditions for animals and anything regarding abuse affects me in a similar way, Benthebunny. I want to do something. I want to rage and take action. And, I want to cry. Its heartbreaking that people can’t be better at human-ing (not a word, but it fits!).

I think its very good to be empathetic. Having a kind heart and being humane are two of the best qualities in humans. But, you also have to protect yourself and be kind to your own heart.

One thing that might help you and help others is if you took a pencil and paper and sketched out a diagram or infographic for how to house bunnies safely and humanely. You might not want to dwell on it that much. But if you find you can’t get your brain away from that place, try it. Don’t worry if the sketch is not perfect. People who design tend to be doodlers and scribblers when in concept mode.

Odette sends a nose rub to thank you for your good heart.

Really useful insight, thank you!  It’s not only a coping tool but also highlights a way we can communicate to others across language barriers. It’s also given me an idea for a new thread. 

[Author]

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