Lorna Chadwick GSPCA Animal Welfare Manager shares this important information on rabbit care ‘Spring is in the air, so please make sure you allow your bunnies to enjoy this beautiful weather too. We all know how stressful it feels to be locked inside so let's make sure our rabbits always have the space they need to exercise and explore; keeping them mentally and physically fit and well.
Rabbits are active animals so they need to be able to hop, run, jump, dig, stand fully upright on their back legs, and stretch out fully when lying down. They need regular and frequent opportunities to exercise every day to stay fit and healthy, as well as an appropriate place to toilet.
Rabbits are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, and overnight. This is when they like to graze, forage for food and be sociable, so ensure they can use a large area for exercising at these times in particular.
Rabbits are inquisitive animals – they may easily injure themselves if there are hazards within their environment – so their home and exercise area should be safe, secure and free from hazards. Make sure you don’t allow them to have access to an area that may have been treated for weeds or with pesticides.
Create a fun space that allows rabbits to perform normal behaviours such as digging, chewing, chin marking and investigating. Different rabbits enjoy different types of safe toys to play with and chew, and regular opportunities to play with other friendly rabbits and/ or people. Rabbits tend to love the simple (and cheap!) things in life – here are a few suggestions for toys and objects that could be a hit with your bunnies:
PAPER shredded newspaper, paper bags with the handles removed and telephone directories (with the glossy covers removed). You could even bundle up your rabbits’ favourite food item in brown paper as a parcel for them to unwrap!
CARDBOARD boxes with holes cut into them make great hiding places. Cardboard tubes can be stuffed with hay and healthy treats/part of their daily food ration.
TUNNELS plastic and fabric tunnels can be purchased commercially. Tunnels can also be made from cardboard boxes, cardboard tubes and large ceramic pipes (with a wide diameter).
Always make sure your area is safe and secure so they can’t escape and predators can’t get access to them.
Don’t forget that under the Animal Welfare (Guernsey) Ordinance 2012, pet owners are legally obliged to provide the following five basic welfare needs.
A suitable place to live.
A healthy diet including fresh, clean water.
The ability to behave normally.
Appropriate company, including any need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals.
Protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease
For more information and to see the wonderful rabbits we have looking for new homes please visit our website: https://www.gspca.org.gg/animals/rabbits ’
Donate
Donate by calling 01481 257261, by post to GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey GY6 8UD or online https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal
Sponsored Event
Why not create your own sponsored event or challenge - https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)
For lots more ideas why not visit our fundraising page www.gspca.org.gg/fundraising
Wish List
Check out our wish list page from the smallest of items to our biggest of projects there are many ways to support us - http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list
To visit our Amazon Wish list to see some of the items we need to help the wildlife please visit - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList
Become a sponsor and GSPCA member
Why become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor and support our work each month please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf
To become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf
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In line with States of Guernsey advice please DO NOT visit the GSPCA if have been outside of the Bailiwick of Guernsey in line with their advice or have any symptoms of Coronavirus and we continue visits to the Shelter for only essential reasons and to please call us on 01481 257261 or email [email protected] before your trip to see if we can help without you coming to the Shelter. For the latest information and advice please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/search/node/coronavirus
With huge challenges on our resources and a drop in income from boarding and donations please help us help animals in Guernsey with our #GSPCACoronavirusCrisisAppeal by donating online via - https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal
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