Why is intentional breeding prohibited?

[VelvetLion7]

Before anyone jumps to conclusions, I am not considering intentionally breeding my buns.  I just want to know why it is frowned upon and prohibited.  Can someone expain it to me?

[Monkeybun]

It’s frowned upon as far as I know because there are so many rabbits bred and dumped at shelters or in the wild every year that could use good loving homes, rather than be left to die to some predator or euthanized due to running out of room at shelters. Every bunny deserves a home, and we’d rather one from a shelter be given one than yet another litter be born and have even more bunnies homeless.

[Deleted User]

Rabbits need a great deal of care to be well: they need a knowledgable owner who is devoted to them, and they need a lot of space. I hate that they are classed in the ‘caged animals’ b/c a caged life is a deprived life for a rabbit. Breeding domestic rabbits contributes to a higher number of rabbits when shelters are already overrun by them. There aren’t enough homes out there to adopt rabbits since they are prolific but exotic. I mean by that, they breed easily but they aren’t easy keepers.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

AS a standpoint for the forum, we aren’t telling people what they can and cannot do at all -breeders are allowed on the forum.

We want a friendly forum atmosphere where people can share about their rabbits’ and get advice. We do not allowe flaming, rudeness heated argument etc. Breeding would most certainly cause those debates as it’s a hot topic-so we don’t allow that discussion.

We DO allow breeders to join-but cannot share litters, prices, discussions on breeding on purpose-It’s simply to reduce friction-too many people feel too strongly one way or the other.

[KatnipCrzy]

This forum is pretty specific to House Bunnies- and one major recommendation for a House Bunny is to spay and neuter- it helps with litterbox training and other behavorial issues in general.  And spaying and neutering is also a key element to having more than one house bunny- which tends to be pretty common once we get hooked on our first one. 

If someone is looking to breed- even if the subject was allowed- the members here would not be the best ones to ask anyway.  I could talk your ear off for probably an hour about taking care of house bunnies but if someone asked me about breeding I have no experience or knowledge about that.

Breeding bunnies and House Bunnies although they are the same critter- the standards really differ in care requirements.  Their nutritional needs can vary if they are breeding or living outside in a hutch- they need more calories as their bodies are focused on different aspects of “living” as opposed to spoiled house bunnies that are used to constant temps.  And behavior can be quite different also- we had a member that adopted 2 bunnies from a hoarding situation that were housed with many other bunnies at the hoarders home- but when she got them home- they fought terribly- one was seriously injured. 

I think to make a rabbit a “house rabbit” means more than just keeping it in the house- it generally means having it become a member of the family.  I just do not see how that same relationship would be possible with a hutch bunny- where most cute baby bunnies end up (outside) when their owners do not get them neutered.  I can still spend hours a day with my bunnies no matter the weather or time.

[katie, max & penny]

like some people said before, there are many members who feel very strongly about spaying and neutering because of pet overpopulation, diseases (of the reproductive organs- common in unaltered buns), as well as making their lives easier. someone here said one time, for the bun they have the urge to procreate but they have no outlets for it. it must be very frustrating for them. many of us are also volunteers at animal shelters so we see first hand the damages that breeding causes. there are so many wonderful animals that are already born- so why don’t we try to find them homes before bringing new animals into the world?

[jerseygirl]

It’s a good thing to ask.   The official reason(s) is actually stated in the Rules & Guideline and further in FAQ’s

Discussions involving breeding for meat and intentional breeding for pets are not allowed, however, if your bunny is unexpectedly pregnant, then we are more than happy to help out and/or refer you to experts that can.  Though we promote rescue, we are not an anti-breeder site.  To find out why breeding discussions are not allowed see the FAQ section.

Q1.

Why is discussion about intentional breeding not allowed on this site?

 

Answer:

For three reasons:

1. Because the staff at Binkybunny is focused on individual rabbits, we are not qualified to discuss intentional breeding.

2.  I’ve worked with rescue groups for many years and knowing that rabbits are the third most euthanized pet in the United States, I’ve become an advocate of finding homes for the already overwhelming numbers of abandoned bunnies, many of which are in danger of being put to sleep because of overcrowding. 

With that said, I don’t want to demonize breeders.  As with everything, there are good and bad.  Ultimately, people who take an animal into their home are ultimately responsible for their animal’s welfare no matter where the pet originally came from.   And hopefully this site can some how help rabbit owners through their trials and tribulations so that they will not put their bunny at risk by giving it up.

3. Because there are arguments to validate both sides of the coin:  Rescue vs Breeding, I don’t want the forum to become a debate board.  I only want to focus on rabbits as individual pets. (and again, we just don’t have the experience with breeding questions – there are plenty of forums that are devoted to that)

 

 

 

 

[RabbitPam]

Thanks, Jersey. I should have scrolled down first because I just copied BB’s answer as well.
Thanks for getting it posted here.

Velvet, it’s a good question which is why it’s the first in the FAQ section. If you go up to the green banner above and use the drop down menu in Bunny Info. you will see that and many other sections of information. Browse through all the menus – you’ll find great info. BB has compiled and a lot of questions will be answered. I recommend this to all our members, not just new ones.

I hope the thorough replies above have answered Velvet’s question sufficiently. Members, please respect the format and don’t turn this thread into a debate on the topic. “There were two in the bed and the little one said ‘Roll Over, roll over,’ so they all rolled over…”

[Beka27]

Another thing I want to stress is that not all rabbits who are born live the nice, warm, comfortable house rabbit life, or EVEN get surrendered to a shelter (where they stand half a chance!) Some people who sell litters of bunnies do not care where they go:

“Oh, you are buying this bunny as a lifelong house companion? Great!”

“Oh, you are buying this bunny to feed your 12 foot python? Great!”

Or they do care, but once that bunny is OUT OF THEIR POSSESSION, there is no way to know how it is being treated or where it will end up. I am always sad for members who do have an accidental litter, or acquire a pregnant rabbit, b/c FOR ME… I know I would be far too scared to give any of the babies up to anyone. I would want to keep every last one of them safe forever.

The individual bunny is better off spayed and neutered. So once you do what is right for your rabbit’s health, behavior and quality of life, accidental litters cease to be an issue. I never, ever, ever have to think about an accidental litter in MY home. I can enjoy my buns for who they are, not what their hormones dictate them to be. I can watch them snuggle and enjoy each others company (and hump… like rabbits) and never once freak out that I will end up with more buns than I can care for. I am so proud of my bunnies and what amazing little creatures they are and I know I did the right thing by insisting they be spay/neutered (either by my vet or by the rescue I chose to adopt from).

[KytKattin]

I’ll also add to what Beka said about spaying and neutering: a female rabbit who is pregnant or hormonal can be downright dangerous to people and/or other animals, especially children. I know a breeder who has quite a few scars on her hands and arms from some small breeds of rabbits who decided they weren’t happy that day! I caught the spotted rabbit in my siggy at a park and she was already pregnant (though that babies did not survive). She was quite defensive, and nervous and I am well aware of what she could have done if she felt trapped by a child. So as animals that I have living in my home, sharing my home with me, I don’t want something that wants to rip my tendons out when I try to walk across the room.

[VelvetLion7]

=) Thanks guys, this really answered my question.

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