International
Day of the Rabbit 2023
From the perspective of an Aiderbichler
(written by Gisela Pschenitschnig)
International Rabbit Day is an annual day of remembrance to raise awareness of the importance of protecting hares and rabbits.
The numerous rabbits at the Gut Aiderbichl rabbit house in Henndorf and on the other estates are spoilt with special treats and even more attention on International Rabbit Day.
The rabbit house in Henndorf is constantly getting new additions. Findus recently got a new forever home and feels very happy among all his fellow rabbits. Findus was discovered by animal-loving people in a meadow by the roadside and brought to Aiderbichl. Findus’ friend Karuso was brought to Aiderbichl in a miserable condition – overlong nail teeth, inflammation and adhesions in the genital area.
Beloved pet - unloved pet
Many rabbits are brought in a transport box. The children lose interest and fascination in their rabbit, they no longer want to play with them, cleaning the cage becomes an “annoying and tiresome” task. The vet costs become too high, an allergy suddenly breaks out – the rabbit goes away.In the ideal case, the animals are officially handed in, but in the worst case they are abandoned. In most cases, abandoned rabbits have no chance of survival. If they are lucky, they are found – like our Findus and Karuso.Animals are not a substitute for toys, and are also a bad gift. Rabbits, cats, dogs, guinea pigs etc. are children’s favourites. For many, giving animals as gifts to young and old alike is “a good idea, a completely different present, a gag …” – in reality: not a good idea.Buying a rabbit needs to be very carefully considered, especially as they don’t need to live alone, but with at least one partner. The care of the rabbits must also be guaranteed when the owners are away: after all, it’s a living creature.
What do animals feel - do they feel at all?
Whether large camel or small rabbit – they feel uncertainty, fear, love and trust. This makes it all the more upsetting to abandon newborn rabbits in a cardboard box. They have no chance of survival if they are left somewhere unprotected from the cold, heat, rain or snow. They starve, die of thirst, freeze to death or die from the heat.
The silent rabbit in the test lab screams in pain
Skin creams, mascara and many other products for humans are researched and tested on rabbits. More and more progress in medicine and the beauty industry also means more and more animal suffering in test laboratories.
The eye proteins of humans and rabbits are identical. For example, liquids are dripped into the eyes and it is observed how the conjunctiva behaves: do they turn red, is the cornea damaged or not, etc. The rabbit cannot flush out foreign bodies using tear fluid, as this is not produced.
For experimental purposes, the rabbits are strapped down and scream in pain. The guinea pigs suffer agony until a product can be sold to the consumer.
The lives of all living beings, be they humans, animals or others, are precious and all have the same right to be happy. They are part of our world.
~ Dalai Lama
