Abandoned pets

RangerSarah · #1 (**permalink**) 19-10-2009, 03:23 PM

In June I found a pet rabbit that had been dumped on the nature reserve. He was in a really bad way - seriously malnourished, mange, kidney damage, brain damage etc. We didn't think that he would survive the night, but was hanging in there the following morning. The vet got permission from the RSPCA to allow me to look after him at home, but told me that it was touch and go and that every hour that he survived was a bonus. As he was a domestic rabbit I needed to keep him for 7 days. I didn't manage to re-home him because he was so ill and people didn't want to get attached only for him to die.

He is now a happy healthy soul. He is called Stewart, aka Psycho Rabbit. He rules the house, and terrorises the poor cats. I don't keep him caged at all and suffer the poo everywhere.

My reason for sharing this is that I am still furious with his previous owners for treating him so badly, and for dumping him in an area that he would have been excellent prey for any of our predators. I'm sure that the people who dumped him thought that they were doing a good thing by releasing him, but domestic animals rarely survive in the wild. There are plenty of rescue centres who will take unwanted animals.

Please pass on the message.

SparklySarah · #2 (**permalink**) 19-10-2009, 04:53 PM

It's very sad that people do this. If they couldn't keep it or look after it they shouldn't have a pet to begin with!! But is was good that a kind soul like yourself was there to take him in and give him much needed love and attention

Glad he's well now. It's a shame there are those few cruel people out there with no regard as to what happens with a pet when they "get rid of it". Tis sad...... xxx

Fritillary · #3 (**permalink**) 19-10-2009, 06:09 PM

<<I am still furious with his previous owners for treating him so badly>>

I think you are wasting your energy and time. Do you think that this sort of people are thinking of the rabbit right now? I dont think so. And I dont think they were thinking doing good. Probably they only wanted to get rid of the rabbit...

OOps now you are going to feel angrier!! But really it is better do not think of them.
One day I rescued a rabbit that was alone on the pavement. Since there were cars coming I jumped to him, hurt my knees (there were little stones there) and I asked to somebody if she knew where the owner was. The lady took me to a neighbour's house. There was nobody and we saw the empty cage in the garden. We only put the rabbit into the cage with a big rock on the top to avoid escaping. Some days later, I visited the person to tell him the rabbit had escaped. He only said ah yes yes thanks, but I saw he really did not care about the animal...

what else could I do?

rangersarah2 · #4 (**permalink**) 19-10-2009, 08:05 PM

I'm just glad that i found him. His attitude makes me laugh every day. I wish his previous owners could see him now.

freefeet · #5 (**permalink**) 19-10-2009, 08:42 PM

I found a cat in a similar way a few months ago. Like you say, people think they can care for themselves but when an animal has been completely dependent upon humans all its life it can't do so, and this cat was all skin and bones and totally starving.

So i fed her. I've never seen a cat eat like she ate.

But i can't keep a cat in my flat as i'm just a lodger, so she lived in the back yard, and with winter coming on she really needed a home. RSPCA were no help at all. They told me to stop feeding her and she would go away on her own. I suppose the problem they're having at the moment is that there's so many pets being thrown out because of the recession and people losing their jobs that the RSPCA can't cope with the numbers of animals needing care.

Anyway, my nice landlady put some adverts out and found her a home a few streets away. So it turned out well for her, but there's many animals in this country it isn't turning out well for.

This is her...

rangersarah2 · #6 (**permalink**) 19-10-2009, 08:50 PM

She's beautiful.

volence · #7 (**permalink**) 19-10-2009, 08:54 PM

This really annoys me. It is why there should be laws and maybe licenses for keeping any pet. Too many people see pets as throw away items. When my job goes (i'm only on temp contract) it is my iguana who is imortant. His food lights etc gets paid for first. Then bills. Then me. That is how I was brought up and that is what all children should be brought up. Pets are for life. End off.

StrayCatBlues · #8 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 10:12 PM

I had also found a rabbit in a similar condition but this little guy was in a box by the large rubbish bin at a side of a pub, I heard shuffling as I walked passed which made me investigate it.
He was gorgeous and such a friendly little thing, I called him Burdock, we kept him all over last winter, we bought him a hutch and in the day he would have free run of our conservatory. We built up his weight and he became healthier.
Sadly we couldn't keep him as we have a jack russell, but my friend has house rabbits and her male had just died.
So now he lives with a harem of three females who like to groom his ears whilst sprawled on the sofa.

It annoys me to think of people who do this sort of thing, but I try to think that there are more of us than them, whether it is true or not, it helps me get through the anger.

Hedgehoggy · #9 (**permalink**) 21-10-2009, 11:01 PM

My friend's work colleague found 2 kittens dumped in their work's outside wheelie bin on Monday

She only heard their cries because she was stood next to the bin having a ciggie. The kittens were taken straight to a vet, who certified them to be around 6 wks old and in relatively good health under the circumstances, and the receptionist at my friend's work ended up going home with 2 new additions to her family

At least these 2 had a happy ending.

I can't understand the mentality behind this. There are so many organisations today which will take in unwanted animals (especially baby ones).

rangersarah2 · #10 (**permalink**) 22-10-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrayCatBlues

I had also found a rabbit in a similar condition but this little guy was in a box by the large rubbish bin at a side of a pub, I heard shuffling as I walked passed which made me investigate it.
He was gorgeous and such a friendly little thing, I called him Burdock, we kept him all over last winter, we bought him a hutch and in the day he would have free run of our conservatory. We built up his weight and he became healthier.
Sadly we couldn't keep him as we have a jack russell, but my friend has house rabbits and her male had just died.
So now he lives with a harem of three females who like to groom his ears whilst sprawled on the sofa.

It annoys me to think of people who do this sort of thing, but I try to think that there are more of us than them, whether it is true or not, it helps me get through the anger.

I love the thought of Burdock having a harem and having his ears groomed. Bet Stewart would enjoy that!