Interview about livestock farming – “Rabbits in cages are like dogs on a chain”

A sweet bunny has been an integral part of Easter for hundreds of years – he brings colorful eggs and invites you to enjoy them. And every year, families want to bring a rabbit into their home for Easter – most of these decisions are ill-considered and simply due to the hype surrounding the Easter Bunny.

The sensitive flight animals suffer in silence
Rabbits are the most popular pets after cats and dogs. Their soft fur, cute button eyes, cute snub nose and sweet ears are visually appealing to many. They are often wrongly portrayed as easy to care for and undemanding animals suitable as ‘playmates’ for children. But the opposite is the case: rabbits are flight animals, extremely sensitive and susceptible to diseases.

They also don’t want to be picked up or carried. And they resist when you do it anyway. Children often find this very difficult to understand. Understandable, because after all they ‘just’ want to love the animals. Conclusion: Rabbits are quickly seen as aggressive and end up in the animal shelter.

If you search for rabbits on an animal shelter’s website, the same reasons for taking them in keep coming up: “…found abandoned”, “rescued from poor husbandry”, “given away after an unwise purchase”.

For example, the Krems animal shelter (Lower Austria) currently houses 38 rabbits. In an interview with the “Krone”, chairman Andrea Specht explains the most common mistakes when keeping rabbits.

“Kron”: Do you have the impression that pet owners pay less attention to the needs of rabbits than to those of dogs and cats?
Andrea Specht: Unfortunately, rabbits (usually small animals) are still considered ideal “starter animals” for children. However, the escape animals have anything but a need for cuddles. Yet they are forced to be petted, picked up and carried around. Not only does the animal’s psyche suffer, health problems also become noticeable due to improper husbandry.

What is the most common problem?
Above all: too little space! Rabbits have an enormous need for exercise. Jumping and hooking are as much a part of the behavioral spectrum as digging or maintaining social contact with other animals. They can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h, jump over a meter high and spin while jumping. This requires space, a natural structure with tree stumps, roots, branches, pipes and insulated shelters against rain and cold.

What does animal-friendly livestock farming look like?
Anyone who has ever seen rabbits groom and cuddle each other knows that keeping them alone is the worst thing you can do to these social animals – and that it is forbidden. A rabbit alone in a cage is like a dog on a chain! You need a large residence (at least eight square meters) with sufficient retreat options, e.g. a wooden house or a willow tunnel. The house should also have a flat roof, as rabbits like to rest on elevated surfaces where they have a good view.

Can you provide rabbits with a suitable habitat in your home?
It is ideal to keep them in an outdoor enclosure, but a rabbit paradise can also be created indoors or on the balcony. This definitely requires a “dig bucket” to dig into. You can build this yourself relatively easily, for example from a large plastic box with a lid. Shady areas (not south-west facing) on ​​the balcony/terrace and of course security, such as when keeping cats. In the apartment, an extra room or an enclosure, plus daily exercise, is appropriate.

What do rabbits like to eat?
The basic food for rabbits is good hay – because rabbits always need something to nibble and gnaw – supplemented with some fresh/juice food and only a minimal amount of grain/dry food. From spring you can pick your own crops on unsprayed meadows.

More people are interested in rabbits at the moment?
Unfortunately, like every year. After the holidays, countless rabbits are handed over to the already overcrowded animal shelters. Or worse: left somewhere. Because many children lose interest in their ‘gift’ after a short time. The parents are overwhelmed by the care or do not feel like caring for the new animal in the family. I highly recommend picking up the chocolate bunny.

Thank you very much for the conversation, dear Andrea.

Adoption – a responsible and long-term task
Call from the animal corner “Krone” on behalf of the many poor rabbits: Please do not buy rabbits on internet platforms or carelessly in pet stores. If, after careful consideration, you decide to offer a group a home in a preferably natural outdoor enclosure, visit an animal shelter. Many small animals are waiting there for a home and a second chance at life. In addition, you will be informed very accurately about the needs of the animals.