the most neglected pet in britain.

I'm pretty sure keeping rabbits is still against the law in Australia, so we don't have that particular problem. Unfortunately too many thoughtless people give kittens and puppies as presents at Christmas, or parents give in to kid's desires for a pet, then, when the novelty wears off, the animals are neglected and sometimes become feral. So many also abandon their pets when they go away for holidays, adding to the problem. The pet refuge is usually inundated with pets soon after Christmas and many have to be put down. There has been lots of talk about making it compulsory for all pets to be neutered unless the owners have a breeder licence, but the problem here would be enforcement. An enormous number of staff would be necessary. I would like an indoors dog IF I ever stop going away so much. I think I'd prefer a wool dog, but I would research all about a few different breeds before deciding and then thoroughly research care of the one I chose.

i don't have any pets and all those i know who own a pet do take good care of them. however in one case my friends pet dog fell sick and the vet diagnosed it as over-eating (i wonder if it can be categorized as pet abuse?). i have mostly seen small children misbehaving with their pets and that is a difficult situation to handle...

Poor rabbits ,I hate to see them crammed in cages,Very selfish if you ask me. I remember my mother in law ,use to feed their dog table scraps ! I do believe that some truly believe that its ok feeding dogs or cats things they should not have out of ignorance.If I saw a pet being abused in any way ,I would report it.I see the neighbor boy getting very close to abusing their dog,If keeping him inside and only it let out to go to the bathroom isn't enough,the spraying water in his face is pissing me off,I will speak to parents first as they should know better. Why do people have pets that don't want them or could care less,they are living creatures who love us unconditionally .They Indore so much.We are going to the dog rescue this weekend ,In hopes of giving some sweetie a home,I have read alot about how and why they end up there also how to cope ,in adjusting to family. People should think more before buying if they can give the animal what it needs.It would be great if kids who get pups got them only after they have read a instruction manual or took a class,understanding what the responsibilities as a owner really are. As sad as this is children are my # 1 concern ,this is a epidemic just as the pets.

hi jb that is so sad and that is also happening here in the US as people get little bunnies for the kids at Easter time and the newness wears off. the parents do not know how to really care for the rabbit nor does the kids and often they take them out into rural areas and just dump them hoping I guess that some kind soulwill take the bunny in and really care for it. I do think if you do not know anything about bunnies and want one as a pet, first you should research and read up on bunnies and their care. then if you know you can handle a bunny, go for it but be sure you know what you are doing.

maybe help create a free program in your community to teach pet owners how to take care of their pets properly. you can do it at a local church, community center, home if you have enough space, park, beach, pool area, hotel event room, etc. or start a website and write blogs about taking care of animals. do it yourself on your own animal care website. and distribute these links everywhere, mostly vet offices and animal places, as well as animal websites.

Aww, poor bunnies. I always had pets as a child, and so did my daughters growing up, including bunnies! Yes, we asked at the pet store how to care for them, and they were never neglected. If in hutches, there should always be a large room fenced in area and they need to be let out to play and eat grass in the yard! Even the babies born to the larger rabbits always did well. I have two friend who for several years have had a rabbit or two as house pets, and their litter trained and very clean. In the US, we love our bunnies! Karen

Hi jb78000;It is hard to witness such acts of animal cruelty and neglect. Irresponsible breeders are much to blame. Particularly puppy mills but also chicken farms are a huge disgrace. Endangered animals is a whole other ball of wax on top of it! With the beginning of the decline in the economy, we all began to see a rise in the number of strays, someones pet let out in the cold, let loose, alone to fend for itself because the initial owners could no longer manage to keep the pet much less their house. It is sad. When I see animal neglect, an animal in distress, I don't hesitate to contact animal control. If I am a witness to animal abuse/cruelty, I will confront the handler, straight on. I am the voice for the animal who can not speak for itself, with words. More awareness needs to be brought forth and targeted among those who think how sweet it is to give a pet as a gift, be it a bunny, a cat, a bird, dog, pig, mouse or whatever and for obvious reasons. Bunnies need as much care and attention as a dog or a caat. Unfortunately often times people don't realize this. I have witnessed first hand having bunnies for the kids and the kids getting bored and then the parents have to tend to the care and feeding, all while working full time jobs. The kids get home from school and go on the computer instead of playing with their rabbits or taking their dog for a much anticipated walk. Disgraceful. At that point, I think it is the right thing to do for the parents to find the animals a more responsible and caring home if they are unable to properly care for them or enforce the duties onto the child. Perhaps the child didn't really want a rabbit but the parents thought it would be a sweet and soft baby bunny gift. In which case it is up to the parent to see that the animals needs are met, or else find someone who can. The trouble with that is that once the soft cute and cuddly age of the pet has evolved into a full grown and adult animal, it is harder to find forever loving homes. It's the cute and cuddly that sells. Bottom line is ppl need to be educated in the caring responsibilities for animals before breeders and sellers release the pets to them. This should be made mandatory. I talk often with kids who really want a dog. I carefully describe the basic responsibilities but also inform them of the duration of commitment for ownership, asking them where they see themselves in ten years etc. Often times a child thinks that they want a dog as a pet because they are bored or lonely. I have wanted a dog for sometime but knew when the timing wasn't right. Before I got my beautiful pup, I researched, as you say, I read and learned as much as my eyes could peel, daily, for three years before I was graced with my beautiful pup, Roxy. She was abused and neglected to the point she really needed some help. Thankfully by the time she came to me, she was only underweight and needing her last puppy shots and spay. Roxy is doing awesome now and still coming along after the first 15mnths of hell in her life. A beautiful girl with newly gain confidence, she has a bright future ahead of her now.

So often, jb, I find the acquisition of certain pet species are tied to the lastest Walt Disney movie lauding a species and it becomes vogue to purchase one with NO resources (knowledge of care & love.) Just braggin rights...and it drives me "whacko!" I liken them to the children, we here in Canada, place in inadequate foster homes where health & welfare are not on the radar! So much of thisis due to pet "mills," and there just seems to to no way to control them! A pet of any form in my household..is another member of the family...and probably treated better than my son..LOL! I do hear you loud and clear...as here (actually the University of Victoria) there are hundreds of bunnies running loose, as persons are depositing them there, when they are no longer wanted in the home! They run free, and the students feed them...now a Veternarian Clinic is capturing, nuturing and releasing. It is a world=wide dilemna, jb..a sad one!

If the owner didn't realize it? That is obsurd! If they are ignorant then I would try to tactfully bring the fact to them. If I felt they were doing it just out of neglect, which to me is the same thing, I would report it. If I felt they would correct the situation I would try to communicate with them. If I didn't see a change i would have to report it.

Here in America, the giant chain of pet stores Petsmart has decided to stop selling rabbits. They do not sell dogs or cats because there are so many without a home in shelters and also because they cannot properly screen prospective buyers. When buying any animal at Petsmart (except fish-I personally feel fish should be included) you need to sign a form saying you will take care of it and receive a certificate as well as getting a factsheet. I recently bought a hermit crab there, and I had to convince the workers that I knew how to care for them (I did hours of research online before buying my first two hermit crabs, and when I added the second two I got them a bigger tank) Fish are the most poorly researched animals that people buy- I ALWAYS ALWAYS go online to Aquariumadvice before buying a fish species to see that it is compatible with the size tank I have- I've wanted certain fish species for years but have not gotten them because experts say they grow too big for my tanks. I have never bought an animal without being very careful to know exactly what I needed to do to take care of it- with the exception of the goldfish I bought to feed my frog, then decided to keep instead- I am arranging to have them given away to a friend with a pond because people have told me that the 20 gallon tank I have them in now (there are three) is not sufficient- it is the opinion of the experts that common goldfish need at least 55 gallons to live happily. Yes, that's insane to many people- but a common goldfish can live to be 20 and grow two feet long. They belong in a pond or a huge tank where they can grow and live out their lives, not a bowl where they live a few months. And bettas need a tank of two or three gallons or more, NOT those tiny bowls they sell- and they need a heater and a filter- no wonder those bettas live for a year or less, those fish can live for five years if taken care of properly. They should ban the sale of all those tiny fish bowls. No fish should be forced to live like that. Anyway, back to the bunnies- like I said, Petsmart no longer sells them. Instead, they (along with the second biggest pet store chain, Petco) partner with local shelters to arrange "Adoption Days" for dogs, cats and bunnies. I got my cat through an adoption day. I had to go through a lengthy interview process, answering questions about my income, housing, and time that I have to devote to the animal. I had to bring a note in writing from my landlord saying that I can keep the cat, and then I had to pay a 110 dollar fee to cover the spaying of the cat, or I couldn't have her. Even now, six months later, I still get emails from the organization asking how she is doing. I am glad that these chains are being responsible. I have many pets- hermit crabs, the cat, an african clawed frog, four bettas, and many kinds of tropical fish as well as the goldfish I need to eventually find new homes for. You should ALWAYS do research before getting a pet Not only that, you shouldn't just rely on what the employees at the store say. Often they don't knwo a thing. Many times, the people at the store told me "Sure, you can have that fish and keep it in that size tank" and when I asked the online people, who have been in the hobby for decades, they were like "NO WAY!"

I have a rabbit. We found him in a parking lot. Our family loves him. He used to have mange but we took him to the vet. Now it is all cleared up.

I've had rabbits, turtles, goldfish, hamsters and dogs as pets. And I'm still keeping a dog. I love dogs. If there is any one who I know doesn't take good care of their dogs, I try talk to them to make them know that it's not right to have a dog and dn't care abt him. If they dn't listen, I suggest them giving the dog to someone else who really love him.