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Rabbits. The forgotten animal??

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Leighbunny VIC • Posts: 174

1 31 Aug 2010

I've notice Animals Australia haven't mentioned anything about rabbits on their website (or I've missed it), so I thought I'd introduce everyone to rabbit factory farming. As Radical Rabbit already mentioned (I'm also a founding member of RR), it's an industry that is growing, mostly thanks to Masterchef featuring rabbit on their show. We thought it best to tackle the issue of factory farming BEFORE it became such an issue that we didn't have a hope of stopping it.
Here are some photos of rabbit factory farms (injured rabbits featured in a couple of pics):

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/veganbunnygirl/RABBIT%20FARM/rabbitsplayleg.jpg
This bunny got splay leg from the flooring of the cages. Bunnies prone to problems get this, though thankfully not all do. I have a bunny from a farm with very twisted legs from the flooring. The wire is very painful on their sensitive feet, and they can't get comfortable at all.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/veganbunnygirl/RABBIT%20FARM/rabbitfarm.jpg
Many injuries/abscesses occur due to the very close quarters bunnies live in. Rabbits are very territorial, especially when undesexed and confined with their own sex, so fighting occurs frequently.

This is an ALV photo:
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/veganbunnygirl/RABBIT%20FARM/farmALV.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/veganbunnygirl/RABBIT%20FARM/farm5.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/veganbunnygirl/RABBIT%20FARM/23532_400600532773_700787773_4851475_5890249_n.jpg
Despite code of practice dictating dead rabbits are to be removed within 24 hours, there is many decomposing dead rabbits to be found in farms.
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/veganbunnygirl/RABBIT%20FARM/farm4.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/veganbunnygirl/RABBIT%20FARM/farm3.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/veganbunnygirl/RABBIT%20FARM/farm.jpg
More ALV photos:
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/veganbunnygirl/RABBIT%20FARM/ALV3.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/veganbunnygirl/RABBIT%20FARM/ALV2.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/veganbunnygirl/RABBIT%20FARM/alv.jpg

Anyway, I thought I'd introduce two bunnies who were recently rescued from a Victorian farm.
Meet Star:

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/veganbunnygirl/RABBIT%20FARM/Star2.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/veganbunnygirl/RABBIT%20FARM/Star.jpg

Now, she's wasn't inquisitive with her head tilt, she had a neurological problem/brain injury. I took her to see my own vet at the Melbourne Rabbit Clinic, and she said that her problem was at least 2 months old. She was in the "sick" area, where the rabbits wait until they are turned into the meat for pies.

There was also Willie:

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/veganbunnygirl/RABBIT%20FARM/Willie2.jpg
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/veganbunnygirl/RABBIT%20FARM/Willie.jpg

He came to me with an eye missing, the socket filled with pus. They both had respiratory disease. Willie was also destined to be a meat pie. His eye looked like this. Warning, bit distressing for some:

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g181/veganbunnygirl/RABBIT%20FARM/willieseye.jpg

Unfortunately, with their problems and despite treatment, both of these bunnies had to be put down. It was extremely heartbreaking, as I had them for a little while, and they were so loving and sweet and NAUGHTY. It's still painful for me to talk about these two, but the only comfort I can get from this is they were put down nicely, not killed in the way they are killed in factory farms (head bashed in, throats slit). I also got them cremated.

So, if you wish to join the fight, go to www.radicalrabbit.org, and join our Facebook group. There will be updates when we need help with anything.

+ 2

KittyVegan VIC • Posts: 203

2 31 Aug 2010

I love rabbits!!
They are beautiful animals that love to be loved and have a good cuddle!
I have always had pet rabbits taking them on from my school pet club, my last one was free to laze around our secure back yard and sit on our laps when watching tv happy

there does need to be more awearness raised about rabbits!
Your web site is amazing!

I'm so sick of seeing rabbit fur in shops for cat toys and clothes, people don't seem to care and that's just not on!

I also hate Master Chief with a passion... Worst show an the judges make me sick!

+ 1

Mondayschild WA • Posts: 1452

3 31 Aug 2010

I LOVE bunnies! You are right they are kind of forgotten. I guess they are not 'mainstream' meat, which is a good thing, but doesn't make it any better.
The poor little guys in your pics, it is so sad.

ZoolNerd NSW • Posts: 1005

4 31 Aug 2010

KittyVegan said:

I liked it until I saw them cooking Phesant and Sucking Pig. A TINY BABY PIG! WTF!!!!

Mondayschild WA • Posts: 1452

5 31 Aug 2010

KittyVegan said:

I also hate Master Chief with a passion... Worst show an the judges make me sick!

I agree. And the food wastage... I had a hissy fit when I saw them do an egg separating challenge- dozens and dozens of eggs in the bin. That waste is just disgusting.

+ 2

Compostkitty NSW • Posts: 780

6 31 Aug 2010

those photos are sad poor rabbits.
i joined the facebook page well requested

RaV3N WA • Posts: 2152

7 31 Aug 2010

I can't look at the photos as my buns are currently on the couch beside me... they might look over and get scared. Or I might cry.

People think rabbits are vermin so I guess that makes easier to hate in some circumstances.

Courtney_1 VIC • Posts: 335

8 31 Aug 2010

I have two rabbits, one is about 2 years old and the other is about 6 weeks years old. They're such sweet animals! happy

One's female and one's male, and they love to lick each other in the garden, eat together or lye around somewhere. It's disgusting to think about how some people can eat those poor bunnies. sad

My mum works at a primary school and a teacher there had a rabbit that she used to keep in the school, in a small birds cage while it walked around on the wire. The students could take it home in a box and the poor rabbit was stressed. My mum was able to get the school to give her a bigger cage, and a softer ground although one day the teacher didn't bring the rabbit to school... Not sure what happened to it. Dx
I'll be checking out the site now! happy

RaV3N WA • Posts: 2152

9 31 Aug 2010

Courtney_ said:

I have two rabbits, one is about 2 years old and the other is about 6 weeks years old. They're such sweet animals! happy

One's female and one's male, and they love to lick each other in the garden, eat together or lye around somewhere. It's disgusting to think about how some people can eat those poor bunnies. sad

I hope you're going to desex them... and soon. I suggest you get your female done ASAP. Boys can't be done till they are about 4mths old. The term "breed like rabbits" is very true. They can have litters every 5-6wks of about 6+ babies. I have a male and female and they adore each other, but had I not desexed them I would be swimming in baby bunnies right now (not a bad thing, they are adorable!). To desex a rabbit costs the same as a cat, however find a vet who knows rabbits.
Totally off topic but it has to be said. Cos if your buns have kiddies, and you sell them, who knows where they may end up.

Leighbunny VIC • Posts: 174

10 1 Sep 2010

What sex is the 6 week old? Is he/she six weeks or six years?
Desexing definitely important, I work at an animal shelter and see SO MANY bunnies dumped. 6 weeks is too young for desexing, but the other bunny isn't too young, if not already desexed. Definitely a boy and girl? Even if the same sex, desexing extremely important for a couple of reasons; to stop breeding and to prevent reproductive cancer (studies show it occurs in 80% of older rabbits).
You can desexed rabbits from 12 weeks males (or when the testicles descend), or 5 months female. Definitely get a bunny-savvy vet to do it though.

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