lunedì, ottobre 18, 2004
:: Online sales upset rabbit welfare group - from STREATS by K. Singh and C. Lim ::A rabbit welfare group is up in arms over the proliferation of rabbit-for-sale websites because such promotions would add to the growing problem of rabbits being abandoned in Singapore. "There are already dozens of pet shops selling rabbits and here comes a host of online sellers, some even offering free rabbits with the sale of a cage," said Ms Teeny Teh, 24, president of the House Rabbit Society (Singapore), or HRSS. A check by Streats revealed no fewer than 20 such websites with hundreds of advertisers. Last year, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which runs the largest animal shelter here, received more than 1,180 unwanted rabbits, compared to 720 in 2002. About 30 per cent were rabbits found abandoned and some were even exotic breeds, such as $400 lop-eared rabbits and long-furred Angoras which can cost double that. Many had to be put down because they were either sick or injured. Also, space for them was limited. Recounting tales of neglect, Ms Tay told how residents in Tampines discovered two rabbits dumped in a rubbish chute in June. "The plastic bag the rabbits were in was tied and they had very nearly suffocated when they were rescued," she said.
Meanwhile, pet shops said that sales of rabbits are brisk. Mr Roy Lim, 25, who operates a Pasir Ris pet shop, said: "We sell 30 to 50 rabbits a months and they can be from $30 to $700." Other pet shops said that it was common for customers to try to return the rabbits after their children tire of the pets. Explaining why that happens, Ms Teh said: "Rabbits look cute and cuddly and people think they are easy to care for and are perfect pets for children. But rabbits are ground-dwellers and are prety to many predators in the wild. So it is completely unnatural for them to be held far above the ground where they cannnot control their movements. When cuddled, they can become frightened and may scratch or bite, and then the child loses interest."
Anyone who comes across abandoned rabbits, or knows about acts of cruelty to these pets, can call 7000-RABBITS.
me: grrrrrrrrrrr... ... ... i think it's a great idea for kids to learn how to care for another living thing, to develop independence by getting a pet. However parents should also know that such an activity also requires lots of responsibility and commitment. in fact, having any pet is a good way to train a child to develop the said qualities. of cuz it's easier said than done, resulting in the increasing numbers of abandoned pets, ranging from terrapins all the way to dogs. i believe that all potential pet owners should find out everything about the animal that they are planning to keep before making the choice to purchase it. do not buy on impulse! it's not just a dress, that can be chucked away, unseen into your closet (undoubtedly crammed full of previously purchased clothes); it's not just an ornament that can be left undusted on the shelf; it's a living thing that requires constant care and effort, a lot of commitment and responsibility. to put it bluntly, you are the animal's 'god'. you determine how he lives, whether he survives and whether he's happy and comfortable. so i hope that all potential pet owers will consider twice, in fact thrice, before finally accepting this huge responsibility.
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