Calling All Rabbit Nutters

[R2elk]

Dumped rabbits usually do not live good lives and often end up being hit by cars or they become food for another animal.

That is exactly what happens to wild rabbits too. They live short lives as a prey animal. Domestic rabbits fare no better or worse than the wild ones especially if they are not the first generation. To an animal, a good life does not mean the same thing as what you think a good life is.

 

[R2elk]

Which is how you end up with feral rabbit issues.

The fact that there are feral rabbit issues proves that they are surviving and multiplying just fine in the wild.

 

[EmmaRainboe]

The fact that there are feral rabbit issues proves that they are surviving and multiplying just fine in the wild.

Surviving is not the same as thriving.

 

[R2elk]

Surviving is not the same as thriving.

Multiplying is thriving.

 

[Everose]

Multiplying is thriving.

Facts.
Unhappy, unhealthy, scared, or malnourished rabbits eat, abort, absorb, and abandon their young. For most animals safety, a full belly, and mental stimulation are all that is necessary to make them "happy". Oftentimes, no human interaction at all is what makes them happy.

 

[EverythingDucks]

That is exactly what happens to wild rabbits too. They live short lives as a prey animal. Domestic rabbits fare no better or worse than the wild ones especially if they are not the first generation. To an animal, a good life does not mean the same thing as what you think a good life is.

I disagree, domestic rabbits do not know how to survive in the wild as well as wild ones do. Domestic rabbits have been bred by humans for hundreds of years, and their ancestors (the European rabbit) isn't even native to here.
They should be able to live up to 10-12 years.
Regardless, it is irresponsible and cruel to "release" any pet into the wild.

 

[EverythingDucks]

The fact that there are feral rabbit issues proves that they are surviving and multiplying just fine in the wild.

The same could be said about feral dogs. But that doesn't mean they're happy, healthy, safe, and living good lives does it? And that certainly doesn't mean people should just dump their dogs (who have a far better chance of survival than rabbits), or stop trying to rescue them.

Multiplying is thriving.

All the backyard breeders with rabbits living in unsuitable conditions seem to have no problem breeding them.

We obviously have different views on this but I can't see how there would be anything wrong with calling a rescue to take in domestic rabbits who would otherwise die a likely painful death.

 

[R2elk]

Regardless, it is irresponsible and cruel to "release" any pet into the wild.

This is the only thing that you are right about.

 

[R2elk]

But that doesn't mean they're happy, healthy, safe, and living good lives does it?

Until you can stop anthropromorphizing, you will never be able to truly understand animals.

You cannot know what the animals consider being happy and what they consider having good lives. They do not think the same about situations as people do.

 

[R2elk]

I can't see how there would be anything wrong with calling a rescue to take in domestic rabbits who would otherwise die a likely painful death.

In this particular situation, the local people know what is going on with those rabbits. If they want something done about them, they will do what is necessary.

Rabbits and other prey animals go into shock very easily and die quickly.