Talked to a lady about rabbits…do you argee with her theory?

[bigsis7]

Hi guys! I found someone on craigslist who wanted an outdoors bun so I emailed her to inform her of the risks, but read what she said:

Thank you for you concern for the well being of animals. I truly appreatiate it and believe that animals need as many people advocating for them as possible. I have done a ton of research on indoor vs. outdoor rabbits and the facts are horrifing. As a whole, indoor rabbits have much longer lifespans and proabably live happier lives then outdoor rabbits. However, these stastistics donnot take into account that it may not be the actaul enviroment of the animal that is causing the gap in care, but the people taking care of the animals. People who USUALLY get outdoor rabbits put them outside because they are easier to deal with and less well, smelly. These people don’t understand what is best for the well being of the animal. I think that they want to be able to have a pet, while putting in as little effort as possible. They are often neglected or forgotton outside. I, however have kept my rabbits outside becuase of my daughters extreme allergies. I have had at max 2 rabbits in a custom $600 shed, inside my fenced in yard. They are always fed the most possibly nutriutous diet and play in an outside run at least every other day. On cold nights, I assure the animals have tons of cozy bedding, lots of food, and a heated water bottle. Also, I make sure that any rabbit I have lhas ived outside from the very beginning of thier lives.  I can assure you that my animals live extremly long, happy and healthy lives and I do all that I can to assure their well- being.

 

Thank you for your concern,

_________

Do you agree with this? I sorta get where she’s coming from, but what about other predators? But then someone who spends $600 on their buns has to like them right?

[Beka27]

people are going to do what they want to do.  i understand about the daughter’s allergies, but if that were the case, i might not have pets at all.  i hope she is really doing what she says and not just feeding you a line.

[Sarita]

Very nice response from her. I do think she seems to care for her animals just based on the response she sent. I do agree that it is the person’s responsibility to take care of the rabbit – even an indoor rabbit may not be getting the proper care – it just means they are indoors.

[Sarita]

But that doesn’t mean I would adopt to her – I wouldn’t – I want the rabbits I adopt out to be indoor with the families.

[bigsis7]

Yeah I would rather have a bunny inside where I know it is safe

[JK]

Of course they should be inside. BUT she does sound like she cares about the rabbits. Who knows what the shed looks like. It certainly is not ideal but at least they seem well cared for. We all know horror stories about ones left to fend for themselves in a small hutch. Good for you for trying to persuade her. At least she was polite in her response.

[Scarlet_Rose]

She responded very nicely, albeit not the ideal situation for a rabbit at least though she has a dry shelter that isn’t a hutch tossed in the backyard. Rabbits are social animals and love to be involved and very much a part of a families life INDOORS.

[Lisa_43]

I agree with all the responses, but as Sarita said I wouldn’t adopt mine out to her either as I also want my bunnies to live with a family inside.

[kimberleyanddarren]

yes i think i do kinda agree because i think people who put their animals outside will forget them and we who keep them inside have them constantly around us and so they get more attention but i havent heard that a rabbit being outdoors stops it living a happy life, if she is willing to spend as much time with her buns outside as we do inside then her bunnies will still have a full and happy life. she replyed very kindly and seems to have an idea what she is onabout. I am reminded of a bunny sanctuary online i will see if i can find the link, the lady rescues unwanted bunnies and keeps them all outside but she takes very good care of them and interviews everyone she sells a bunny to etc. she has a whole website dedicated and spends most of her days looking after them so if you asre willing to put the time in outdoors i dont see why they cant have a full life out there hopscotch wouldnt get as much love if he was outdoors because i would hate to have to sit out there so having him indoors works best for me but she may just enjoy sitting outdoors and be a more outdoors person than i am – good luck to her and WELL DONE for emailing her in the first place! more people should do this i think

[charlie82]

I’m not sure that I agree all rabbits should be indoors. Of course that’s the best thing for them, but living outside does not mean they are not well cared for and very much loved members of the family (in some cases). Obviously in the States you have a problem with predators that isn’t so much of an issue here, so I’d assume anyone who has them outdoors has to ensure their enclosure is predator safe. I don’t like the idea that rabbits aren’t given the chance of happy home if it means them living outdoors, I’d rather they were living in a safe enclosure with companionship rather than spend months in a hutch at a rescue. I don’t know how rescues work in the States, but I know in the UK the many rabbits in ‘rescues’ are kept in hutches (albeit 6ft-8ft hutches depending on singles or pairs) and have little time if any outside of their hutch due to the immense number of rabbits. I know a resuce who do tremendous work with their rescue yet have 25+ *permanent* rabbits that can’t be rehomed on medical grounds and spend their lives in hutches (indoor) and if they have the time they will be put in a run less than 6ft. Personally I don’t feel like keeping a rabbit alive and giving it medical attention yet spending it’s life in a hutch is actually ‘rescuing’ but that is a whole other topic. This lady obviously wants the rabbits herself if her daughter has allergies, and I’d like to think she genuinely cares about them if she spent $600 on a shed. Four of my bunnies live in my heated summerhouse outside, and i’ll admit I probably don’t give them ‘as much’ attention as my indoor rabbits but i do spend a lot of time in there, and they have each other so I feel that even though I can’t give them the constant attention my indoor rabbits get it makes me happy knowing they have company of their own kind, are very well cared for, not locked in hutches, have unlimited time in the garden everyday and I can honestly say i love them just as much. ( I do spend a lot of time grooming them, petting them etc) They seem very happy to me! I only wish I had enough space to let my indoor rabbits have some time outside too (for grazing). Please don’t think I am encouraging people to keep their bunnies outside!! I would always opt to have them indoors, but living in my sisters house I have limits (set by her) and if I wanted to adopt more rabbits they had to be in the garden. I still believe they have a good life. 🙂

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

People in the UK generally keep their rabbits outside and they take VERY good care of them (I mean I don’t personally know them all, but that seems to be the trend there!! ) Anyways, I do sort of agree with her, although I prefer mine inside and NEVER would keep them outside. Just for safety, you know

[babybunsmum]

i’m sure there are outdoor rabbits who are taken very good care of.  i, too,  would always wonder if they were feeling socialized enough.  pinky bun’s room door is always open (i have a babygate blocking baby bun from getting in there & marking everywhere) so i always chat with her on my way to the washroom or when in the kitchen, plus she gets free roam time with me every day and lots of pets in the morning when i feed her.  all this and i still wonder about her feeling socialized enough since she’s in a room to herself.  it’d be my preference to have both buns free to roam with me for the whole evening.

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