[These pictures were taken a month after she came home with us.]
Meet Desa - the unfortunate product of irresponsible breeders. When I first saw that this breeder (who will remain unnamed) had a blue-eyed white doe for sale, I was excited to pick up Desa from their rabbitry. Unfortunately, I had no idea what kind of breeder and what living conditions Desa had been in, before I decided to take her home with me. I had no idea what kind of breeder I was about to buy from, and was not aware of her breeding history and reputation of unreliability. Sadly, I'd have to learn about this, and the existence of Bunny Mills the hard way.
The Bunny Mill:
When I first met Desa, she was living in a cramped cage with 2 other rabbits - much like many of the other rabbits around her in the rabbitry. This was my first encounter with what is known as a 'Bunny Mill'. I initially meant to buy her sister, who is listed on my page as 'Darla' - but the breeder offered Desa to me for free, as the woman needed cage space (which was very evident). Fortunately for Desa, I couldn't leave her in those living conditions, and decided to take her home with me, in hopes of providing them a better home.
Desa's Condition:
Desa chews the fur on her feet, including the comb over that is needed to protect her heels. When I asked the breeder of this issue, she responded 'That's just a Holland Lop thing that they do.'
Again, unfortunately, some breeders just don't pay enough attention to their rabbits' living conditions to maintain a healthy living standard for their rabbits. No matter how many of your rabbits chew their fur - it is NOT normal. Desa most likely chewed her fur in anxiety from living in such cramped and dirty living conditions. In addition, as I took a closer look at her feet, I noticed that her nails were curling in massive length. Obviously, if a rabbit's feet are not trimmed, their toes can be extremely uncomfortable and get caught in the holes of a wired bottom cage. With that said - two of her toes are visibly growing abnormally sideways, which I noticed as I was clipping her nails. I refuse to believe that this is 'just something that Holland Lops do', especially when I have had several healthy ones that have never succumbed to such self mutilating behavior.
Not only was Desa's feet bald and contorted, but she was also very thin. Visibly, her spine portruded, and the lines of her muscles were visible through her fur - unlike a normal rabbit who should look healthily round. I decided not to take pictures of her at that time, because of how disturbing the image of her body was. Luckily, in the pictures above (taken recently), it is evident that she is now gaining more and more weight, which I am very happy about.
This breeder had accepted Desa's 'bad habits', and allowed for it to continue. However, with enough attention and care - I know that Desa can be a normal, healthy bunny again.
Desa's spirit:
After considering Desa's condition, and not even receiving a pedigree or explanation from this breeder - I decided to keep Desa to try and rehabilitate her physically and emotionally, by cleaning her, grooming her, providing her a more spacious home, and giving her ample socialization time. I imagined Desa to be a very shy and afraid, knowing that she lived her life in a cramped cage with two other rabbits in obviously uncomfortable living conditions - but after days of socialization, she seems to have warmed up quite a bit. She lacks energy, but loves to be scratched behind her ears, and pet on her nose. On a daily basis, I pet her and hold her to give her the affection that she most likely lacked in her previous 'home'. She is the reason why I strive for a better standard of breeding in the world of domesticated rabbits.
Our PROMISE:
With that said, although my first experience with a Bunny Mill was a very sad and frustrating experience - I have learned a lot about the rabbit breeding world, including the ways that I can try and improve the standards of breeding. Rabbits are wonderful animals that I believe make unique and therapeutic pets - but the standards in which they are bred, must be improved.
Lolli Lops Rabbitry has made a Promise to Desa, that all rabbits bred at our rabbitry will:
1) Have their OWN spacious, clean and suitable cage, and will NEVER be housed together.
2) Always be groomed, with their nails trimmed, fur brushed and cleaned if necessary to maintain a healthy and comfortable living condition.
3) Be fed enough to maintain a healthy weight, no matter what.
4) Have an equal amount of ample socialization time to encourage friendly and affectionate personalities.
5) Always have monthly health exams, to ensure that they are in the best health and most comfortable living condition that they can be in.
Honestly, much of this was what I thought was common sense when it came to housing rabbits, so nonetheless - our Promise to Desa will be an everlasting one at our rabbitry.
Sincerely,
Jennie
Lolli Lops
P.S. The purpose of this post was to let rabbit lovers and enthusiasts know that although there are irresponsible breeders out there, there are still some who are inspired to improve the standard of breeding to maintain the health and friendly personalities of these lovely animals.
In regards to the rabbitry that I saved Desa from, I have very little respect for this rabbitry, and do feel the need to caution future potential rabbit owners from buying from this rabbitry - but as much as I'd like to post their name on my blog - I am here to let people know there is hope in improving the standard of the breeding of rabbits, and to hopefully inspire / remind breeders of this.. I am not here to put others down.
With that said, if you personally ask / email me about the rabbitry in this blog, I will have absolutely no problem with providing you the rabbitry's name and owner, as a warning to potential customers.
