Thumper sat in her cage and groomed her ears. She was trying to contain her excitement,, but it was so hard. She was to go to a new home today. Some funny, tall rabbits with no ears and little hair, just like her adopted mum, had come in and looked around They had wanted a bunny for a Christmas present for their seven year old son. They looked at all the bunnies for sale, but they had finally decided on her. It was so exciting! She hopped around in her cage for a bit, prancing and preening. All the other rabbits were happy for her. She was going to a new home where she would be loved. What could be better?
Soon the funny rabbits came to get her. A little sadly she said good-bye to her mother and siblings, but nothing could really dampen her excitement. They put her in a shiny new cage. It had a brand new water bottle and a sparkling fresh dish too. It even had some toys in for her to play with. Thumper could control herself no more. She leapt up in the cage, and skipped and danced for all she was worth.
The funny rabbits soon pulled up to a nice house and brought her inside. The boy ran up to the car and exclaimed in joy when he saw Thumper. He liked her! Oh, she was so happy. He took her out and played with her. They had such a grand time, that Thumper did not want to stop when it was time for the boy to go to bed. She knew that it would be OK though, because now she had someone to play with her for the rest of her life.
The first week was wonderful. The boy, Tom, played with her often and always made sure she had some food and water. Then Tom had to go back to school. Thumper understood that he could not play as much, but sometimes she really wished that he could be back on school holidays again. He still played with her quite often, and he always took care of her, but each day he seemed to get less and less interested in her.
Thumper grew up into a healthy, adult bunny, but now Tom did not handle her much. One day he even forgot to feed her. She spent the night curled up in her cage, hunger making her stomach hurt. She began to think that Tom did not love her anymore. He stopped playing with her altogether, and before long it was his parents who fed and watered her. They never took her out, or even stroked her. They just gave her food and water.
The cage that she had thought so pretty soon became a prison. Her toys had all been chewed up out of boredom. She started chewing on the cage, just for something to do. It became habitual; she chewed and chewed, though she knew she would never chew her way out. Then one day she pulled a tooth. Oh, how it hurt! She had trouble eating, but Tom’s parents paid her no heed. Her teeth grew back, but they were crooked and overlapped the wrong way now. Eating became a difficult chore, and she only ate enough just to stay alive.
Finally, the tooth got too much, and she did not eat at all. She lost weight rapidly, going from thin to bony in just a few days. If the funny rabbits had even noticed, they did nothing about it. Thumper grew weak and tired. She had given up on life, and she knew that it would be over for her soon. She thought of how excited she had been that day; how she thought she would have fun for the rest of her life. She had been so wrong. She wondered if her brothers and sisters had found good homes, or if they lay dying in a cage somewhere, alone and cold. Her eyes grew blurry, but she did notice one last thing. Lights. Flashing lights adorned the house, just like they had when she had come here. She closed her eyes, and one last breath escaped her mouth.
From the 6th of April 2007 in England, and in Wales from the 27th of March 2007, animal welfare law is being improved.
Animal Welfare Act 2006
It is still against the law to be cruel to an animal. But now you must also ensure that all the welfare needs of your animals are met.
It makes owners and keepers responsible for ensuring that the welfare needs of their animals are met.
These include the need:
The new law also increases to 16 the minimum age at which a person can buy an animal and prohibits giving animals as prizes to unaccompanied children under this age.
Anyone who is cruel to an animal, or does not provide for its welfare needs, may be banned from owning animals, fined up to £20,000 and/or sent to prison.
In short this means that we have a duty to care for all our animals.
For your rabbit this means that it requires a suitably sized hutch, in which it can hop around freely in all directions and that it can stand up. The hutch must be clean, dry and free from any draughts and it must keep the rabbit safe from any preditors like, for example, cats, dogs and foxes. Its construction should be far enough off the ground, made from strong wood, with a strong wire mesh and a felted, sloping roof top. It must not be exposed to direct sunlight as, otherwise, the rabbit could suffer from heatstroke and, eventually, could die.
The rabbit's diet should include free access to an unlimited amount of clean hay and fresh water at all times. This should be supplemented with a variety of clean vegetables like, for example, apple, carrot, celery, cabbage and broccoli, the amount of wich depends on the size of the rabbit. The diet can also be supplemented with a portion of rolled oats. Rabbits enjoy treats, like a nibble of mold-free, dried/hard wholemeal bread and the occasional treat of a small piece of a Rich Tea or Digestive biscuit. Care must be taken that the rabbit does not get overfed, thus leading to obesity. Needless to say that a rabbit must have sufficient and regular exercise in order to keep fit and healthy.
A rabbit must also be able to live without fear and be able to exhibit a normal behavioural pattern. This can only be achieved by keeping the rabbit completely safe, in a rabbit-friendly environment, away from any possible dangers and free from any pain, harm, injuries and disease. As myxomatosis can be found in virtually all of the U.K. mainland, twice-annual vaccinations against this deadly disease are therefore highly recommended. Please consult your Veterinary Surgeon for further advice hereto, or any other health issues.
A regular check on your rabbit's health is highly recommended. The ears and fur should be checked for possible mites. Apparently healthy teeth can sometimes develop some form of deformation (malocclusion), which would lead to the rabbit's refusal to eat because of discomfort and pain. The rabbit should also be checked underneath for any possible soiling, which could lead to fly-strike, in which flies would lay their eggs into the soiled area, thus leading to the rabbit's death. If caught in time and taken to the vet immediately the rabbit could be saved. Your rabbit's eyes should always be bright and clear and showing no discharge. The same applies to its nostril, which too should show no discharge of any kind. If in any doubt please take your rabbit to a Veterinary Surgeon for examination and help.
For further information on the new Animal Welfare Act please click here: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/act/index.htm
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