Guest Blogger: Cortney Ressler
If you’ve been following Animal Friends for the last month you probably know February is National Adopt a Shelter Rabbit Month. Did you know that February 25th is the 20th anniversary of World Spay Day? There will be events happening internationally to celebrate the life saving efforts put forth through organizations to spay and neuter companion animals as well as street cats and dogs. This month Animal Friends wants to point out the importance of spaying and neutering your pet rabbit.
I recently worked with a potential adopter that mentioned she had resorted to leaving her pet rabbits outside in partitioned hutches all year round. She had gotten three sister bunnies from a local farm. Although her intentions were altruistic, she became frustrated when the three growing, female rabbits started having problems. She explained her efforts of trying to keep them inside, but the fighting and territorial urinating was too much to handle. Not to mention they were biting and boxing her. None of them were spayed. As we know, living outside in a hutch is no place for a rabbit. I informed her about local low cost options to spay her rabbits that would help get them back on track to living safe and comfortable inside the home.
The solution to most behavior problems with rabbits starts with spaying and neutering. We will never know for certain if altering her rabbits earlier on would have prevented every problem she encountered, after all raising three rabbits is no easy task! But what we do know is that unaltered rabbits, whether they’re male or female, have a very difficult time keeping companions due to sexual frustration and aggression triggered by hormones. Rabbits are extremely social pets and will crave the companionship, but left unaltered, they will become aggressive not only towards other bunnies but towards other pets and humans as well.
Aggression and territorial problems are just two of many reasons to have your pet rabbit fixed. Rabbits are dying in overwhelmed shelters everyday, just like cats and dogs. Left in the wrong hands many unwanted rabbits are turned loose outside to fend for their lives, where they quickly perish. When faced with the staggering figures of how many wonderful, healthy rabbits are waiting to find a home in animal shelters and rescues, it is looked down upon to keep your rabbit intact for breeding purposes. A baby rabbit will reach sexual maturity within the first few months of their life. An experienced rabbit veterinarian will perform surgery on a female around 6 months and on a male as young as 3 ½ months. If left unaltered, your rabbit can have a litter every 30 days, even if they’re only a few months old!
Getting your rabbit fixed will be sure to prolong their life and your relationship. You will eliminate any chance of reproductive cancers or infections that may arise and your bunny will care less about reproducing and territory and more about cuddling and bonding!
Please make the best decision for your pet rabbit and contact Animal Friends’ Low Cost Spay and Neuter Department at 412-847-7004 to schedule an affordable surgery today.