One-Month-Old Rabbit

"I just bought a rabbit. He's a baby, only a month old. What should I do?"

The dilemma of handling an animal looking so small, helpless and fragile.

On the blog, I have voiced that I am against the purchase of animals from pet shops - here is the article listing the reasons why a pet shop isn't the "furry wonderland" it is often seen as.

But all of my rabbits were bought from pet shops, and I love and care for them dearly. This may make me sound like a hypocrite, but the truth is, during that time, I wasn't aware of the big picture at all. I simply saw pet shops as a place where people could get animals.

There have been occasions where I see rabbit owners being shamed for knowing the truth, yet still buying another rabbit from the commercial pet store. Is that wrong? Think of it this way: the commercial pet industry isn't going to crumple within a day, and in cases where the animal in that cage really need helps ...

Regarding Pet Shops: Reasons Against the Commercial Purchase of Animals

Behind the image of the furry ball of cuteness … a reality not all fluffy and wonderful.

Those little rabbits people see sitting in a pet shop's cage? Often times, they are frightened of the human fingers prodding in between the metal bars. Have you ever noticed the small, startled “jump” a bunny would make when someone touches him/her?

And those other rabbits hunched up with their front paws tucked underneath? They are probably in distress and discomfort, due to a severe stomach upset from the inadequate diet they have to eat every single day.

Facts regarding pet shops:

• From their point of view, animals are products; items which can be sold to yield profit. Even if several rabbits fall ill and die, “so what”?
• Given the reproductive abilities of rabbits (1 female can give birth to 6-12 kits monthly), the pet store can easily get new ones to “replenish stock”.
• Most of the times, pet shops also sell rabbits who are too young. These young rabbits aren't even completely weaned – yet having the appearance of adorable miniature plushes, they attract many, many buy-on-impulse sales.

Composting

Garbage should be thrown into the bin, where it belongs to keep the environment clean.

Moral education since childhood.

Then one day, I came across the fact that:

• 80% of our household waste is biodegradable.
• The biodegradable trash in landfill sites doesn't break down at all.

... There is a misconception that biodegradable trash will break down naturally while it's in the landfill, and that the landfill site will eventually be "emptied" some day. But the truth is, it doesn't.

The scientific explanation (it's not advanced biology, don't worry):

1. In landfills, waste tends to be compacted very tightly so as to reduce the space they occupy.
2. As a result, there is not much oxygen in a landfill site.
3. Also, a landfill site often lacks dirt and useful microorganisms.
4. Therefore, we can all make the simple conclusion: Nearly nothing breaks down in a landfill site. 

Handling and Carrying Your Bunny

How to Carry Your Bunny:

1. Place one hand beneath your bunny's chest. Pet your bunny and talk to him/her soothingly.
   
   
   
2. Place your other hand under your bunny's furry bum. Your hand should be between the tail and bum - bunnies don't like it when you seem to squash their tails in the carrying process!
   
3. Lift your bunny up slowly.

The key to safely carrying your bunny is to fully support your bunny's weight with both of your hands under his/her chest and bum.