Gauntt Farm Antics Rabbit Rescue, Inc. is a registered 501c3 non-profit domestic rabbit rescue near Atlanta, Ga.
We are also one of about a handful of Dept of Agriculture, state licensed facilities in the state.
Domestic rabbit rescues are not as common as let’s say dog or cat rescues. Dogs and Cats are automatically thought of as domestic. Whereas, exotic animals like bunnies, ducks, birds, and anything scaly are often forgotten about.
Generalized recounted bunny history
Domestic Rabbits are thought of for eating and 4H projects.
Bunnies have been bred to look certain ways to increase profits.
Profits for breeders increase as they become more unique.
Angoras to be more fluffy, Netherland Dwarfs to be smaller with shorter faces. Meanwhile Lops for 4H projects fattened and kept intact. In other words, the bigger the testicles the more “points” are awarded.
Due to all of the forementioned issues, domestic rabbits have become more susceptible to health issues. Which ultimately require more expensive vet visits, medications, treatments and knowledge.
The lack of education by backyard breeders, pet shops and even “licensed” or “ethical” breeders; has increased the amount of abused, neglected, dumped and injured bunnies.
Netherland Dwarfs continue to be bred smaller and smaller, resulting in shorter snouts (brachycephalic); which increases significant health issues.
Lops – no matter which breed – have also become more brachycephalic over the past decades.
You may be familiar with this term, since quite a few dogs have been facing the same issues. Bulldogs, Pits, Pugs and many more have shorter and shorter faces.
If you know anything about them you are aware of increased issues. Particularly upper respiratory infections, heat intolerance, UTI, dental disease and many more.
Well, the same applies to domestic rabbits.
Lack of Education
Gauntt Farm Antics receives dozens of calls, messages and emails for surrenders.
Some of the issues owners have due the lack of education are behavior, litter training, spraying urine, and unexpected size. The unexpected cost and inability to afford to take care of spaying, neutering and sick vet visits.
Sellers of bunnies should have the legal responsibility of educating buyers. Expected expenses, benefits of spaying and neutering, how to set up a proper safe environment just to name a few.
We will discuss some of these issues in another post, so be on the lookout.
Breeders should have to obtain a department of Agriculture state license to breed and sell animals.
For this reason we do not believe in a thing called “ethical” breeding of any species. Ultimately they are only making money off the backs of innocent souls without educating and considering the outcome.
There is no application process which includes references, education and making sure they have the proper space and set up. Selling to literally ANYONE that has 20 bucks in their pocket.
End result in lack of education
Buyers are ready to get rid of their pets by about 6 months of age, because they did not know what to expect.
The majority of these “sales” end up in rescues such as ours. Because of the enormous failure of sellers to ensure proper homes and education for their “merchandise” sold.
Money is quite literally the main concern for any of these businesses.
4H bunnies is also a whole other issues that we will discuss in another article.
This is a basic outline of serious issues concerning domestic rabbits. Subsequently to go into details will require several articles.
As a result of the many problems surrounding domestic bunnies, the vast majority of rabbit rescues are overflowing.
Wrapping it up
Above all, understand that setting a domestic bunny lose in the wild is against the law. Domestic bunnies can not survive in the wild for several reasons. And doing so is a death sentence and one of the most heartless things one can do.
Educate yourself prior to adopting or “buying” ANY animal to prevent any surprises. Make sure to contact several sources like rescue. Minimize googling since there is a lot of contradicting and false information floating around; some of it can be detrimental to your animal. Calling a vet that handles the specific species is also a good idea.
Resources
Check out the House Rabbit SocietyYou may also reach out on our home page or any of our social media messengers.
Gauntt Farm Antics Facebook Page
gaunttfarmantics@gmail.com
Before dumping them in the wild, please make sure to contact any and all rescues.
I better wrap this up before I go on another tangent about the many issues we face with domestic rabbits.
Take care until the next time!
Toodles!
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