Comments on Crazy Days and Nights: Kindness Plug

"Well, if she is a zoologist then she would know t...

2008-03-21T11:48:00.000-07:00

"Well, if she is a zoologist then she would know that Hares have 24 pairs of chromosones." wow allyimagines...If you were REAL zoologist as you say, you might have learned how to spell "chromosomes" along the way during your studies of ecology, anatomy,etc. Maybe it's a typo...but before you cast aspersions on others, you should really check your post. Such careless mistakes make it look like you don't know what you're talking about...even if you do.

Staci is full of CRAP, and is not a zoologist. She...

2008-03-20T23:03:00.000-07:00

Staci is full of CRAP, and is not a zoologist.

She claims that her domestic rabbit gone loose "lived for YEARS as a "wild" rabbit, even reproducing with the real wild rabbits."

Well, if she is a zoologist then she would know that Hares have 24 pairs of chromosones. Domestic rabbits have 22 pairs. Cottontails have 21, Mating is possible
between the different species but the resulting embryos die after a few cell divisions because of the differences in the number of chromosome pairs.

Don't believe everything you read from commentators on blogs. If anyone wants to check my references, Merck Veterinary Manual is a good place to start. Take this from a REAL zoologist, (study of ecology, anatomy, evolution and embryology) ;)

Thanks to the original poster for this article, and I suggest to delete Staci's comment as it is scientifically incorrect in many ways and can easily mislead people.

stacy: thank you for your information and I hope t...

2008-03-19T16:59:00.000-07:00

stacy: thank you for your information and I hope that is true for the bunnies who were abandoned. But aren't bunnies, especially on their own, at a TERRIBLE disadvantage when they don't have the protection of a family and warren of other rabbits? I also do not advocate keeping them locked up in a hutch outdoors. What kind of life is that to be locked up in a cage?

diane: you are an angel ;-)

2008-03-19T16:51:00.000-07:00

diane: you are an angel ;-)

Aw, thanks so much for posting this, Ent! And than...

2008-03-19T16:50:00.000-07:00

Aw, thanks so much for posting this, Ent! And thank you to the wonderful person who wrote that. I am the parent of 2 house bunnies who were abandoned by people who also wanted "Easter bunnies." Thank GOD they were not just tossed out into the wild where they would have quickly died. My bunnies are the best of friends and they get the run of the house except at night when we put them on "lockdown." hee hee. They are wonderful pets to have, but they do require a long-term commitment and thet proper diet, socialization and exercise just like Buns wrote in the email to Ent. Bunnies can live up to 12 years (sometimes longer!) with proper loving care.

thanks for posting this! Don't forget to forget ab...

2008-03-18T15:58:00.000-07:00

thanks for posting this!
Don't forget to forget about getting Easter chicks, too!

Chocolate bunnies for Easter? It'll never work...S...

2008-03-18T15:31:00.000-07:00

Chocolate bunnies for Easter? It'll never work...

Seriously...as an activist and a vegan, thanks for posting that. The same thing happens in my area with baby chicks--really cute, until they grow up into evil, shit-horned roosters (they keep the female chicks).

sorry, trix, i misread what you said. pussykat, th...

2008-03-18T15:13:00.000-07:00

sorry, trix, i misread what you said.
pussykat, that's one of the reasons you have to have them "fixed". and you have to bunny-proof your house, just like you would with a baby.
it's easier to box train them when fixed, their need to chew on anything and everything is stunted, it lessens any aggression, and most importantly, it lengthens their life span, as reproductive cancer is one of the largest killers of companion rabbits.

again, trix, i'm sorry. i've seen some terrible things over the years due to the opinion that a pet rabbit can "return to the wild", and was so upset by the comment before yours that i took your first sentence wrong, and i should know better.
still friends?

Thanks so much for posting this. A few years ago I...

2008-03-18T13:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much for posting this. A few years ago I was at a county fair with a friend, who bet me she could win a bunny, and if she did, I'd have to take it. She did, and I actually liked the bunny, but found that it was very destructive. Unlike my cats (who btw, loved the bunny), it chewed on everything...from television wires to anything that sparkled...like a pair of very expensive gold earrings. I soon realized that I was not going to be a bunny owner. I called my vet and she put me in touch with a 4-H advisor that had a rabbit club. Since I had had the bunny taken care of by my vet, it was going to work out well for one of her members. We drove 60 miles to deliver it, and it ended up having a wonderful home, but shame on me in the first place. Although I'm sure it had a better life than any of the other bunnies at the fair that day.

You dont have to address that to me, bb, I wasnt s...

2008-03-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

You dont have to address that to me, bb, I wasnt saying anything one way or another about that little disputed piece of information. I was just sayin' its nice to hear both sides, both being concerned about abandoned animals.

ent, thank you!staci and trix:i'm not here to say ...

2008-03-18T12:33:00.000-07:00

ent, thank you!

staci and trix:
i'm not here to say it is physically impossible for a rabbit to survive outside or if let loose. in the very best of household set-ups, pet rabbits have an indoor and safe outdoor play area. we're concerned about HOUSE RABBITS or COMPANION rabbits. their digestive systems are delicate. one take from a proper diet of unlimited fresh hay and pellets and let loose to forage for itself will eat anything. and as a zoologist, you should know how terrible it is to die from gut stasis.
and i absolutely agree, there ARE responsible breeders and irresponsible ones. i have bunnies from a couple of friends i consider responsible breeders.
and, i do not support PETA in any way, shape or form.

all this was supposed to be is a simple request to please double think buying a live animal as a gift for easter, and think about donating to a local chapter of bunny rescuers who get stuck with the leftover bunnies after the family loses interest.
-buns

Thank you Buns for submitting this & thank you Ent...

2008-03-18T12:20:00.000-07:00

Thank you Buns for submitting this & thank you Ent for printing it.
This should be sent to schools for kids to bring home to their parents before the weekend!!
(My thoughts are with you & the bunnies this week.)

Anyone in Chicago should visit:www.reddoorshelter....

2008-03-18T11:43:00.000-07:00

Anyone in Chicago should visit:

www.reddoorshelter.org

They are the only animal shelter in Chicago that both rescues and adopts out rabbits. They do great work and are always willing to help educate people on proper rabbit care. They stock and sell OxBow hay which is the best hay that you can get for rabbits. Once they have OxBow they never go back!

Also, I've worked with hundreds of bunnies and I have never heard of one that was able to live outside unassisted. It usually takes less than 2 weeks for them to die once abandoned outside. My little guy was rescued after he was found half dead outside on a playground. He had been attacked and it's amazing he's alive today.

Don't give a real bunny for Easter!

Ent - thanks so much for posting this. As a bunny...

2008-03-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

Ent - thanks so much for posting this. As a bunny mummy to two adorable buns, this really hits home. To see any animal simply 'discarded', because it's become too much 'trouble' or isn't 'cute' anymore, is heartbreaking.

Another couple of sites to check out if you're in Canada, specifically Ontario are:

www.rabbitrescue.ca
www.ontariorabbits.org

Lots of useful info there, especially if you're thinking of bringing a bun into your home and your life!

Hoppy Easter everyone!

thank you so much for posting this ent. people don...

2008-03-18T11:05:00.000-07:00

thank you so much for posting this ent. people don't realize how much work having small animals like rabbits are, and sadly more often than not they end up discarded.

I have a rabbit, I was going to let her go because...

2008-03-18T11:04:00.000-07:00

I have a rabbit, I was going to let her go because she was too much work. Thank God I didn't!! She is beautiful and very sweet, she doesn't get enough attention though. We try, if anything we are keeping her safe and her tummy full! She really is sweet, but it's not a good idea to buy a rabbit unless you have the time to play each day.

Thank you for your much more informative post Stac...

2008-03-18T10:49:00.000-07:00

Thank you for your much more informative post Staci.

And thanks for this announcement in general EL. I'm good friends with a few animal breeders, and I see the diligent process they go through in choosing whom to sell their animals too, so they simply dont end abandoned after the novelty wears off. One of my friends breeds Ragdolls, which are beautiful, wonderful, friendly cats but are too passive to defend themselves or hunt; they are strictly indoor cats. She makes sure each purchase isnt for a child, or near a holiday, and keeps track of every kitten from every litter to every owner. I've seen records going back thirty years! Choose your breeder carefully, and always realize the gravity of your decision when you adopt a pet! When I bought my Charlie, he was so loud and mouthy (thats a Ragdoll for ya!) that my landlord said I couldnt have him--so I moved out!!

I can't read this because I'll start bawling, but ...

2008-03-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

I can't read this because I'll start bawling, but I can tell you're doing a good thing, Buns. So thank you. :)

Excellent thing to post, Ent, and THANK YOU to the...

2008-03-18T10:25:00.000-07:00

Excellent thing to post, Ent, and THANK YOU to the person who sent it in to him.

A friend of mine got an "Easter bunny" as a gift when we were kids, and within weeks, I ended up with it b/c her family was going on vacation and no one but my animal-loving mom would take it. Having that animal taught me something I preach to anyone who will listen: rabbits should not be pets. We lived in a major metropolitan city and my "backyard" was made of concrete, so we definitely did NOT live in the right environment for having one. We took care of it as best we could, and it was a LOT of work, and I know that poor thing should have had a better life. Shame on my friend's parents for buying it for her, and it's good to hear there are organizations trying to stop others from making the same dumb mistake. I will definitely check out the websites you linked.

While I agree that you should never purchase an an...

2008-03-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

While I agree that you should never purchase an animal on a whim or because it's "cute" without finding out if you have the capabilities AND lifestyle to properly take care of it for the duration of it's life, some of the proposed requirements of owning a rabbit in this post are off.

Rabbits are perfectly fine if they're outside in a hutch or shelter that is not drafty or damp and is safe from predators. Just like other outdoor pets, if you're conscious of the weather and their surroundings, they can make great outside pets.

Also, when I was a child, one of my pet rabbits got away from me. That rabbit lived for YEARS as a "wild" rabbit, even reproducing with the real wild rabbits.

I certainly don't think anyone should let them go, and most probably will succumb to predators, but instincts often kick in rather quickly.

Another example is domesticated pigs, who, when released or escape, take only weeks before they're complete feral and start growing the tusks and hair of wild pigs.

I'm all for animal and environment protection and I'm a zoologist who has practiced around the world from US zoos to huge parks and preserves in Africa, but selling half-truths to help a cause should not be done.

Thank you for this (and to Ent for posting it) A ...

2008-03-18T10:16:00.000-07:00

Thank you for this (and to Ent for posting it) A few years ago I rescued three discarded white 'easter bunnies' who'd been tossed out beside a country road. One had been badly injured by a passing car before we found her, and although their story had a happy ending with us I'll always remember the terror and bewilderment in their eyes when we found them huddled there.