-liser
Oh Canadian Living, how could you!?
I am usually such a big fan, and have been a loyal reader and subscriber for many years. It is a happy day when I reach my hand into our little mailbox and pull out the latest issue of your magazine, and I generally abandon whatever I have on the go to sit down and read it cover to cover. That being said, my heart fell when I came across your article about exotic pets ('Lizards and Rats and Mice, Oh My!') in the March 2012 edition.
In that article (which is written by the owner of a pet store, where rabbits should not even be sold), you state that a good match as a pet for a child under age three would be a dwarf rabbit, and this could not be further from the truth. As a long-time bunny lover and rescuer of neglected or misunderstood rabbits, and as someone who works in tandem with a rabbit rescue agency that strives to educate people about all the quirks and misconceptions about pet rabbit ownership, I was appalled to read such careless advice from such a fantastic Canadian magazine such as yours. Hundreds of rabbits end up in shelters and with rescue agencies across Ontario and the rest of Canada each year, because people - adults and children alike - do not understand what they are getting into. It makes me sad to think of the rabbits that will eventually be neglected or abandoned as a result of people heeding this advice, because their new pet is not such a good match for their preschooler after all.
A rabbit does not make a good pet for ANY child, let alone a young child that may not yet understand how delicate and fragile it is. Rabbits (of any size, not just dwarf rabbits) are a huge commitment, and are not low-maintenance pets by any means. Rabbit Ownership is just as much work - perhaps even more so - than owning a cat or dog. Bunnies require lots of exercise out of their cages, as well as lots of love, attention, and time with their 'people' - much more than the half- to one hour a day of cuddling as suggested by your article. As the quintessential 'prey' animal, they do not like loud noises or sudden movements, and will be terrified if chased by an excited toddler who wants to play and doesn't understand the best way to befriend a bun. They do not like to cuddle, and most hate to be held. They have very fragile bones that can break easily if handled the wrong way or squeezed too hard. They are shy, scare easily, and when frightened, can kick with such force that they can snap their own backs, and also may be so scared that they are literally 'frightened to death.' Furthermore, they may bite or scratch when scared, which may be a danger to the child.
The reasons to avoid a rabbit as a pet for a small child go on and on... what makes it worse is that you suggest not just a rabbit, but a DWARF rabbit, which can be even more skittish and shy than larger breeds, as a good choice as a pet for a little one. A little bit of research would have shown all of these things, yet not a single warning to learn more about rabbits or any of the other suggested pets before purchasing or adopting can be found in that article. How irresponsible can you get!?! And right before Easter, when so many rabbits are purchased as Easter gifts and then end up in shelters or worse!
I am disappointed in your magazine for publishing such an ignorant suggestion. I hope you will publish this letter in your next issue to correct any misconceptions my fellow readers may have construed from your article, in hopes of preventing further negligent bunny ownership.
Please do the right thing.
Many thanks,
Lisa Archer
Hamilton, ON
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| Petunia was a misunderstood rabbit, and she knows how much it sucks when you are bought and then subsequently abandoned by the family who was supposed to love you for life. 'Tunia says 'we rabbits sure are cute, but think before you buy!'. Smart bun, that 'Tunia... |
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