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The HopLineThe House Rabbit Connection of Massachusetts & ConnecticutP.O. Box 83 Springfield, MA 01101-0083 |
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The HopLineThe House Rabbit Connection of Massachusetts & ConnecticutP.O. Box 83 Springfield, MA 01101-0083 |
Editor's note: As part of our campaign to convince people to bring their rabbits indoors, we are asking HRC members to write letters to the editors of their local newspapers. Below is one such letter about the dangers of keeping rabbits outdoors during the winter. It can easily be reworked into a more general letter.
Tip: Personalize the letter. For example, mention how long you have had rabbits as companion animals, why you like them, etc. A personalized letter is more likely to get published.
Also, please let us know if you plan to write a letter. We don't want the same newspaper receiving multiple letters on the same topic. You can call the HopLine at (413) 525-9222 or e-mail Ellen at ellen@hopline.com to let us know. Thanks!
To the Editor:
To paraphrase an old song title, "Bunny, It's Cold Outside."
As we settle in for another long New England winter, people are taking steps
to protect their animals - dogs and cats, mostly - from the elements. Hopefully,
most of these animals are allowed indoors to shield them from Mother Nature.
I am writing to encourage people to bring their pet rabbits indoors, too. For some reason, people often think that a rabbit can easily survive winter in an outdoor hutch. This is not true. In the wild, rabbits use shallow depressions in the ground or heavy thickets in an attempt to keep warm. A hutch rabbit cannot do this.
In addition to being exposed to cold, wind, snow and freezing rain, most hutches provide woefully inadequate protection from predators. In fact, a rabbit can have a panic attack - even a heart attack - when frightened by the mere presence of a predator, even if the attacker never touches the rabbit.
In a way, most hutches, instead of providing shelter and protection, are traps.
Rabbits are gentle, intelligent, social and loving animals with distinctive individual personalities. Given a chance to bond with you (and often with your other pets!), an indoor rabbit can become an active and enjoyable part of your family. On the other hand, a hutch rabbit is going to be bored, lonely and, due to the lack of social interaction, may appear to be less friendly when all it needs is an indoor home and time to get to know your family.
I am a member of House Rabbit Connection, an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization serving both Massachusetts and Connecticut. If you would like to bring your rabbit indoors, but have questions, you can call us at (413) 525-9222. Or get in touch through our Web site, www.hopline.com.
Thank you