Think twice (or even thrice) before making a hasty decision to bring a furry little animal home.
It’s the Year of the Rabbit, and many of this month’s ads to celebrate the Chinese New Year next week feature fluffy, adorable long-eared mammals and young children.
However, according to the non-profit House Rabbit Society Singapore, it can contribute to the misconception that rabbits are not ideal pets for children.
not intended for children
Association president Betty Tang, who said she received 101 rabbits that were abandoned or were destined to be returned home last year, said: coconut One of the main reasons for rehoming these days is because children are allergic to rabbit fur.
The owner bought a rabbit from a pet shop without thinking. The profit-seeking stores themselves are problematic, Tan says they don’t do enough to make sure customers are suitable for the animal before taking them home.
“I hope pet stores play a more responsible role in educating their customers and making sure they are ready before buying. […] If you sell rabbits to people who aren’t ready to keep them, they won’t deal with the consequences,” Tan wrote.
Also, rabbits are very curious, so they are not suitable for children. They may get too excited and accidentally hurt the rabbit. Rabbits can also be easily startled by a child’s touch or cry, and may bite in defense.
However, the last thing we should do is give rabbits or other animals as pets.
“If purchased as a gift for someone, the recipient may not be ready, and both humans and rabbits may suffer as a result,” Tan wrote.
FYI, rabbits can get overexcited and have a heart attack, from which they can die.
Small animals with big commitments
Although they are small, these fluffy animals actually require a ten-year commitment due to their small and fragile bodies, making them more expensive to care for as they get older.
Contrary to what most people believe, rabbits live an average of 8 to 12 years.
The association, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, has responded to requests from citizens to protect abandoned rabbits before they are sterilized and to foster them when they become healthy.
They work with a network of foster families who care for rescued rabbits. Currently, 70 rabbits are protected.
They have dealt with countless abandoned rabbits that have tripped over and become infected.Tan said coconut In 2020, it’s always a ‘dilemma’ when you turn them down because unsuitable adopters can easily resort to other means to get rabbits.
‘On the brink of collapse’: Singapore lacks rescuers for all abandoned pets
The company’s goals for this special Year of the Rabbit include continuing to educate the public more about rabbits and encouraging them to consider adopting rather than buying if they are ready for the commitment. It includes encouraging
Hiring has skyrocketed over the last few years, but now it’s slowing down, with about one or two hiring requests coming in every other day.
The adoption process involves potential owners completing an adoption form to determine if volunteers are deemed suitable. You can then visit the rabbit of your choice and, after a trial period of one month, confirm adoption.
When asked if attitudes toward rabbits have changed in the past few decades, Tan said that more people are willing to adopt pets than buy them, and more people are open to raising pets. This is especially driven by social media, which teaches owners not to keep rabbits in small cages or feed them unhealthy foods.
“The presence of social media has exposed people to better and more accurate information about caring for rabbits and made them more aware of how they are treated,” Tan wrote.
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