International Day of the Rabbit
From the perspective of an Aiderbichler
(told by Gisela Pschenitschnig)
On International Rabbit Day, we spoil our rabbits in the rabbit house with special treats and lots of love and attention. Hares are mammals and there are around 55 species of them. The best-known representatives are probably the domestic hare and the wild rabbit or its breeding form, the domestic rabbit.
“Rabbits, like all other animals, are not children’s toys and should never be given as gifts!”
Michael Aufhauser
Cats, dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits are often children’s favourites. People cannot learn early enough how to approach animals, how to stroke them, caress them and show respect for living creatures. Giving animals to children seems funny at first and may be a well-intentioned gesture. In most cases, children are initially very happy about their new friend or “playmate”. But unfortunately it is often the case that the love fades and many a rabbit is brought to Gut Aiderbichl in a box.
Why do the rabbits live on our farm?
There are many reasons for this: the initial fascination with the new pet often wears off quickly. The children no longer want to play with them much, cleaning the cage is no fun either, and the trips to the vet for the long teeth are not only time-consuming but also costly. Soon, nobody in the family really wants to look after the little hobbledehoy properly.
Many rabbits are still small and fuzzy when they are abandoned. Often they then have little chance of survival and die somewhere, left alone. This is what happened this spring. Five tiny black rabbits had been abandoned in a cardboard box in front of the entrance to Gut Aiderbichl. Completely hypothermic, the little long ears were waiting for a rescuing hand. Our animal carers did everything they could to pamper them. They weighed the baby rabbits and fed them every hour. A lamp warmed the little ones, who snuggled up together in the thick hay. They were given names such as D’Artagnon, Aramis, Athos, Porthos and MyLady de Winter. Very often the little bunnies had to go to the vet and unfortunately two of the animals did not make it through the fight for survival.
Rabbits suffer in the laboratory
Skin creams, mascara etc. are tested on rabbits. More and more progress in medicine and the beauty industry goes hand in hand with more and more animal suffering in various test laboratories around the world. Do you think about this when you buy a cream? Do you even want to think about it at that moment?
In these experiments, rabbits are taken out of their cages and strapped down. Then, for example, various liquids are dripped into their eyes and it is observed whether their conjunctiva turns red, whether their cornea is corroded or not. The rabbits are in agony. Because they do not produce tear fluid, they cannot flush out the foreign bodies. All so that humans can confidently apply mascara and other cosmetics.
Don't follow every fashion trend
It’s getting cooler and soon you’ll be able to find fur-trimmed jumpers, jackets and hats on the shelves again. We should bear in mind the terrible living conditions for farmed animals in the fur industry with every fur that goes over the counter.
Think of rabbits, cats, dogs, foxes. When we hold a rabbit to our chest, we feel the soothing, comforting warmth of the animal. How it looks at us lovingly and is happy to be stroked. I wish we could all leave the fur in the shop just by thinking about the animal.
“The lives of all living beings, be they human, animal or otherwise, are precious and all have the same right to be happy. They are part of our world.”
Dalei Lama
Sincerely, Your Gisela
