worried about a bunny

[hiskatey93]

So my friend’s girlfriend had a sixteen year old daughter, who owns a black dutch named Jojo.

And I’m worried about Jojo and the car that she isn’t receiving. I’ve discussed bunny care with Emma ((The teenager who owns Jojo)), and she literally has no idea on how to care for this rabbit. I’ve given advice, books, and even a basic first aid kit.

But here let me just list a few things off. 

1. Jojo is 2 years old, and she is TINY. I mean she is 1/3 of the size of Speckles, and smaller than any dutch rabbits I have seen before. She is pure, she came from a breeder, but the size alone worries me greatly. She has to weigh between 2-3 pounds and is no bigger than a Polish in size.

2. They have NEVER once taken her to the vet.

3. The feed her crap food. Barely enough hay ((Some of it stale and moldy btw.)), too many pellets that are generic and horrid brand, and NO veggies or fruit of any kind.

4. I took her to my home for a visit a few weeks ago because her nails were over an inch long, and they rarely clip them. I clipped them, and groomed her matted fur around her bum. And gave her small amounts of veggies and a huge pile of hay and just let her be to roam and run and stretch her poor little legs… ((Emma said she didn’t own clippers and that’s why she never clipped her nails.))

5. They put her on a chain outside sometimes with a dog collar. ((Oh my god I can’t begin to tell you the tongue lashing I gave Emma for that! I came really close to slapping her.))

6. Emma’s friend owns a male dutch, and wants to breed them to have babies. Knowing the lack of care Jojo gets, it terrifies me to even think she would consider breeding. ((I know we aren’t supposed to discuss intentional breeding, but this is something I disagree with 100% and falls under my worries for the care and well being of this rabbit!))

7. She is in a small cage 99% of the time. Maybe once a month she is held, pet, or even acknowledged and let out of the cage for less than ten minutes.

8. Within the small cage she literally has no toys, and nothing to do.

9. When I took Jojo from her cage to take her to my place for grooming the cage was so filthy that there were hundreds of fruit flies swarming around it. ((Her cage is in a spare room that is rarely entered.))

10. Just from glancing at her teeth they are overgrown, not too bad from a first glance, but enough it clearly causes her discomfort.

When I returned her I really didn’t want to, but if I hadn’t it would have caused serious problems between myself and the family. Instead I printed out a huge care guide, made a first aid kit, included a brush and nail clippers, a bunch of toys I went out and bought for her, sent home fresh hay of mine, and a big bag of pellets. I also included a food sheet, and just crossed my fingers that this stupid teen would listen.

Which from what my friend tells me, she has not. I worry about Jojo, and am upset because she is a sweetie, and deserves a home where the people will actually care about her, and bother to even learn the basics for caring for a bunny.

This is the family that did find Speckles, and gave her to me, because Emma had no interest in a second bunny, because the first was already ignored, and I’m so glad I saved Speckles from that fate. And I want to save poor Jojo, but we don’t have the room to take in a third bunny at the moment, and Emma won’t part with her. We already had that discussion. What else can I possibly do to help this bunny and get her the care and love she clearly needs? Any advice would be appreciated. 

[BB & Tiny]

This may be unpopular, but to be honest we are talking about an animals well being/neglect. Perhaps a call to animal control if you don’t care to confront these people. For me if someone is abusing an animal I don’t want to know them anyway so I’d not hesitate to seize that rabbit. if you don’t have space relinquish it to rescue so they can find it a home that will love and treat it well.

[LittlePuffyTail]

This is a very hard situation that I’ve been in several times. I’ve kept my horse at a few barns that cared for their bunnies in a manner that was terrible to me.

In reality, if she will not part with the bunny, all you can do is continue to try to persuade the owner to do better and care for the bunny when you can. It’s so nice of you to do all you’ve done. Too bad more people aren’t like you.

Unfortunately, from what I know of the SPCA, the bunny is not being physically abused and is given food, water and shelter, they will not remove the bunny.

[hiskatey93]

So I talked with the girlfriend. She wont give up the bunny, however my friend shall be pushing her to care for the bunny better, and pushing her to spend time with Jojo, and feeding her and doing things properly. They also scheduled a visit to my vets office this week.

So thankfully talking to the girlfriend was a huge help. She is gonna really push Emma to care for Jojo right, and if Emma still does not care for her properly they will try to push her to find a new home for the pretty lady, which I said I would gladly assist with as a foster until a proper home is found.

[BB & Tiny]

That’s good news

[Author]

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