_PL_ Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 (edited) http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/orphaned-olinda-rabbits-chew-through-up-to-3000-in-dental-and-medical-bills-at-nokill-shelter/story-fngnvlxu-1226829654834 Orphaned Olinda rabbits chew through up to $3000 in dental and medical bills at ‘no-kill’ shelter UPDATE: RABBIT-Free Australia says the State Government owes Victorians an explanation after spending $70,000 on saving rabbits — despite Australia facing the worst rabbit plague since 1995. This comes after an Olinda rabbit orphanage — which has divided readers after spending $1500 on fixing one rabbit’s teeth and another $1500 on a hernia operation - was given a $50,000 government grant to improve its shelter for sick and stray rabbits. >> Do you think they are spending too much money on rabbits’ medical bills? Tell us below or at [email protected] Rabbit-Free Australia foundation chairman Nicholas Newland said rabbits were Australia’s worst pest, causing more than $200 million damage each year to farming alone. According to the Department of Environment and Primary Industries, the damage is up about $100 million from 2004 — mainly through scores of wild rabbits eating crops. The DEPI has just awarded $355,000 to 24 Victorian animal protection organisations in its second round of Animal Welfare Fund grants. But almost one-seventh of the total grants — or $70,000 — has been awarded to three organisations for “rabbit infrastructure”, with 21 other organisations sharing the remaining $285,000. RSPCA Victoria was awarded $10,000 for “improved rabbit care infrastructure”, Edgar’s Mission got $10,000 for a rabbit enclosure, and Olinda’s Rabbit Run-Away Orphanage was granted $50,000 to convert a garage to house rescued stray and sick rabbits. The orphanage has a no-kill policy and last week spent almost $3000 fixing up a rabbit’s hernia and another’s teeth - these vets bills paid for by public donations. “I think that it may well be the people running this orphanage do not fully appreciate extent of the impact that rabbits have on other animals,” Mr Newland said. “Because what they do in the wild is, of course, remove native habitat, mainly plants, on which other animals rely. “I think the Department of Environment and Primary Industries really needs to explain to the community at large as to why its doing this, and why its not making these funds available for research on the next biological control agent.” Leader today revealed the Rabbit Run-Away Orphanage was struggling to keep up with medical expenses as it honoured its policy of keeping every bunny alive. The Olinda shelter spent another $1500 on another operation for a rabbit’s umbilical hernia. It comes as the dental waiting list for Victoria is about 16 months and 19 months to get dentures, according to the Dental Health Services Victoria annual report 2012. Rabbit Run-Away Orphanage president Judi Inglis said vet bills for the 2012-13 financial year cost $36,000. Vet bills for the first six months of this financial year have already hit $27,000, eating into the shelter’s public donations. It spends $20,000 a year on general supplies such as food and hay. The rabbit orphanage is also supported by the Department of Environment and Primary Industries, recently receiving a $50,000 grant to convert the garage used to house the rabbits. Several Leader readers backed the orphanage today, saying it supported animals that no one else would. “RRO do an amazing job and deserve all the respect and support they receive,” wrote Shannon. “Compassion over killing always. It’s a reflection of our nation,” wrote Stephanie. Karen wrote: “As long as legislation fails to protect these animals from abuse and neglect, there will be a need for organisations like the Rabbit Orphanage to exist.” But some readers were annoyed that state funding partially supported the shelter. “Yet again, taxpayers are the bunnies,” Rose said. “I love all animals, love that someone has taken the time to care for these rabbits and hate cruelty, but all of this is just a bit backward. The Department of Environment and Primary Industries has funded a rescue group devoted to caring for what amounts to one of our biggest pests?” Theresa wrote. “And yet they took away the dental scheme for people who had chronic diseases,” Jazz said. Dr Inglis said as the shelter was the first, and only, “no-kill” rabbit orphanage in Victoria, meaning the rescued bunnies were never put down, the costs to keep each one alive were skyrocketing. She said she hoped people eventually see rabbits in the same way that cats and dogs were seen. She said the no-kill policy meant the shelter got rabbits that would be euthanased at other rescues, because of existing health conditions. “The majority of conditions or illnesses in rabbits is treatable, but people see them more as a disposable pet.” As well as bunnies placed in foster homes, 20 special needs bunnies are kept under the vet care of the orphanage, which pays for any ongoing medical treatment. RSPCA Victoria manager Liz Walker said while the RSPCA did everything it could to save injured animals, it would euthanase if it was the most humane option. “The no-kill movement is gaining momentum in Victoria, but often leads to hoarding situations where too many sick animals are being kept,” Ms Walker said. The $50,000 grant will be used to upgrade and fireproof the rabbit enclosure, but the orphanage is still on the hunt for local tradesmen to donate labour to complete the project The DEPI has been contacted for comment. GRANTS BY THE DEPI ANIMAL WELFARE FUND RABBIT Run-Away Orphanage — $50,000 LOST Dogs’ Home — $20,469 CAT Corner Rescue Group, Inc. — $28,628 PONY Rescues Inc. — $10,000 Edited March 7, 2014 by Powerlegs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 I always knew Victoria was an insane state & I do really love rabbits but Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 What's wrong with that? These rabbits are all desexed - they have nothing to do with wild rabbits! That's like saying that cat shelters shouldn't get grants either because feral cats are a pest. Who cares how much they spend on vet bills? They do a great job! Rabbits are beautiful pets when kept appropriately - why should one pet's life be valued less than another?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minimax Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 What's wrong with that? These rabbits are all desexed - they have nothing to do with wild rabbits! That's like saying that cat shelters shouldn't get grants either because feral cats are a pest. Who cares how much they spend on vet bills? They do a great job! Rabbits are beautiful pets when kept appropriately - why should one pet's life be valued less than another?! It should't, which is the point - why are the grants for some $50k, some $20k and some $10k? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeckoTree Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Wish you could own pet rabbits without having to be a magician in QLD, I'd adopt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_PL_ Posted March 7, 2014 Author Share Posted March 7, 2014 I'm just surprised at a $1500 umbilical hernia op. Is this normal for a rabbit? And yep, the difference in grants give to others is huge which wouldn't have made them popular IMHO. I admit to being surprised at the amount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillbear Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Now that is some serious grant application skills in action. Wow just wow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 What's wrong with that? These rabbits are all desexed - they have nothing to do with wild rabbits! That's like saying that cat shelters shouldn't get grants either because feral cats are a pest. Who cares how much they spend on vet bills? They do a great job! Rabbits are beautiful pets when kept appropriately - why should one pet's life be valued less than another?! It should't, which is the point - why are the grants for some $50k, some $20k and some $10k? The individual orgs apply for what they think they require in dollar terms. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris the Rebel Wolf Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Wish you could own pet rabbits without having to be a magician in QLD, I'd adopt. I second that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph M Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 I always knew Victoria was an insane state & I do really love rabbits but I can rattle off at least 10 bigger wastes of money! Haha. I like the idea. Loads of people get rabbits as pets and they just languish in the yard. I'm all about it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpha bet Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 What's wrong with that? These rabbits are all desexed - they have nothing to do with wild rabbits! That's like saying that cat shelters shouldn't get grants either because feral cats are a pest. Who cares how much they spend on vet bills? They do a great job! Rabbits are beautiful pets when kept appropriately - why should one pet's life be valued less than another?! Edgars Mission in Kilmore gets a grant... to save bl*%$y rabbits.... Go and visit - see the media hungry Mission who is always sourcing handouts.... enjoy the three legged cow and the sheep that hasn't been shorn for probably 3 years.... she saved 9,000 chickens from slaughter when a farmer was closing down... now looking for homes for these chooks.....!!!!! Yet if anyone takes in a pet farm animal that they cannot keep (no media advantage in that) she fobs them off to local hobby farmers to free her conscious...... she has a tribe of "well meaning welfare animal huggers" who arrive each day to help out around the farm..... The sad part is - saving these animals takes the limited funds from the real work..... just think for example: 1. The local wild life shelter doesn't get a cent.... hard working volunteers give their time and resources freely to collecting baby kookaburras who fall out their nest or joeys left to die in the pouches of their mums, not to mention the wildlife displaced from the fires.... 2. Perhaps the local bylaws officers could be paid overtime to actually go out and inspect the suspected properties where puppy farms and byb are flooding the market with oodles of pups...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Wildthing Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 (edited) I'm just surprised at a $1500 umbilical hernia op. Is this normal for a rabbit? Rabbits have very friable skin and do not handle the anaesthetic very well either, so the price is usually the same as for a feline having the proceedure. Many vets will not desex female rabbits due to the friable skin. Should they get a post operative infection, antibiotics available are limited as rabbits are also very susceptible to those. Makes rescue work with rabbits more challenging. Some vets have limited knowledge when it comes to rabbits, so anyone that does rescue, breeds or has pet rabbits needs to learn heaps to be able to treat them affectively. I have bred and rescue rabbits and have first hand knowledge (limited at times) Rabbits also die very easily if frightened and often die as a result. Makes you wonder how the wild ones are so prolific in numbers ! Edited March 7, 2014 by Wildthing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiecuddles Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Did the wildlife shelter apply for a grant Alpha Bet? I only ask because the government doesn't just willy nilly look for people to hand out grants to, the organisations apply for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandgrubber Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Cool! Does Victoria also have shelters for cockroaches, field mice, and rats? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 (edited) I can't believe the negativity! How about the fact that the LDH - the richest 'shelter' in the country - was given $20,000?! That is the biggest scandal in my view! The Rabbit Runaway Orphanage takes rabbits from pretty much every pound and shelter in Victoria. They do a fantastic job with! Many non-routine surgeries would be performed at the rabbit specialist clinic, which is very expensive. Edited March 7, 2014 by *kirty* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Pet rabbits sometimes need care too. I think that is fair. What's the difference between a dog or a cat in need and a rabbit? Or a guinea pig? The suffering is the same for all. I am more irate that the LDH got anything at all. What a crock!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheridan Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 I don't think the objectors know the difference between a wild rabbit and a pet rabbit. As to LDH, $20,000 would be spare change for them, surely? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 I agree with kirty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lhok Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 I would have thought a rabbit rescue would be seen as good thing as I know in my local area if people can't get rid of their rabbits via the paper and what not they release them into the wild. At least by going to a rescue the likelyhood of some rabbits being desexed and not contributing to the wild numbers is less. --Lhok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stellnme Posted March 8, 2014 Share Posted March 8, 2014 Pet rabbits sometimes need care too. I think that is fair. What's the difference between a dog or a cat in need and a rabbit? Or a guinea pig? The suffering is the same for all. I am more irate that the LDH got anything at all. What a crock!! Totally agree. What is the criteria for receiving these grants - surely places like the LDH should have to show how much money they have on hand before receiving more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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