Nursery Pet

Nursery Pet

by: Twiggy - 01-05-08 08:46

After a great trip to the farm the children and staff were interested about getting a pet for the setting. Now we know there are many positive and learning opportunities from this but im concerned about the other implications it will have. For example, responsability, risk assesment, cost etc. We are getting a rabbit in a couple of weeks and have had discussions with some parents about taking the pet home.

Does anyone have good or bad experiences of rabbits in the setting or any ideas??? Thanks

by: joshuajones

We had a rabbit in the nursery for quite some time, it was house trained and therefore was able to hop around the nursery without leaving a trail behind it !!!

The children handled it as soon as we were able to and so it was used to physical contact, noise etc. The children really enjoyed the rabbit and helped care for it etc. Parents were also quite willing to take it home at weekends.

Word of warning don't get 2 !!!!! (we were given another female and ended up with dozens !!!!!!) 

by: Tunja

Rabbits prefer to be in groups of two. To keep just one may be unfair on the rabbit and put you on the wrong side of the new animal rights law.

Having a pair when the buck is not neutered was poor planning and not a reason to suggest they should be kept in solitary confinement.

Our minded children also enjoy the rabbits company and like to help care for them. Rabbits do not carry anything the children might catch, but children can infect the rabbit with ring worm.

The best place to find a pair of ready bonded, ready neutered rabbits is a rescue such as this rehoming service  <http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk>

They also provide advice on keeping your rabbits healthy. There are almost as many abandoned rabbits as dogs and they are all looking for a forever home. 

by: joshuajones

Tunja

we did not have an unneutered buck by choice !!!! We had a female and were then given another female (apparently) which turned out to be a buck. Baby rabbits are difficult to sex and mistakes can be made.

Wwe had our rabbits straight from a childrens farm so that they were used to being handled etc, there was no element of poor planning. On the contrary we had taken every precaution and every piece of advice form the "experts".  

by: Twiggy

thanks guys, still in the planning process but think we defo gonna get a rabbit. Well maybe two now you have said that, will have to check this law your talking about.

thanks