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A rabbit is for life not just Easter - with Lush Liverpool 07/04/2012

What a successful day!  NAIS joined up with LUSH Liverpool to promote some rabbit welfare.  We set up the stall with information leaflets and some free cakes to entice people over!  We chatted about animal welfare and gave out some discount rabbit neutering vouchers, courtesy of Vets4Pets Surgery in Old Swan.  Lush did a tombola, free hand massages, goodie bags and we did some face painting which had the people of Liverpool interested in coming over to chat to us. We also had the Easter Bunny join us which kept the children of Liverpool entertained for the day!

As we have previously posted on our news page, rabbits are officially the most abused pet.  We went along to join in the Easter fun, but carry the message that rabbits are for life, not just for Easter!  So many bunnies are neglected, the most common story being that the children want a pet, so the parents buy a rabbit - the kids soon get bored and the bunny is left alone and ignored.  So many rabbits are left in hutches and never let out.  Despite being sociable animals that love the company of their own species many bunnies are kept in solitary isolation.  Rabbits also turn up as strays at Veterinary Surgeries and animal rescues day in, day out after being dumped when families no longer want to look after them. 

So the answer is - only have rabbits as pets if you are fully prepared to look after them properly for life!  Go to a rescue, never go to a breeder or pet shop whilst so many unwanted bunnies are looking for permanent new homes in rescue centres, they will also give full advice on caring for your rabbits.  Always keep bunnies in pairs, but they must be neutered to prevent unwanted litters of babies and aggression problems!  You must have a hutch with a good size, secure run attached so they can come and go as they please to stretch their legs.  And you must feed them a good quality food such as 'Excel', plus plenty of hay and vegetables.  They must also see a vet for regular dental checks to stop their teeth from overgrowing causing pain and suffering. 

If you can fulfill these requirements for giving bunnies a home for life, then please contact NAIS as we know of some lovely rabbits looking for new homes!