Classroom Rabbits
VRRA does not advocate having rabbits in the classroom. Why? If you have read the "Rabbit Facts" above it should be evident why most rabbits will not do well in a classroom setting. Rabbits do not like loud noises and sudden movements. Nor do they like to be handled excessively. While it is true that children can learn to be kind to a rabbit, keeping one in a classroom in order to do this is hard on the rabbit. A rabbit's natural routine is to sleep most of the day. The classroom setting means that the bunny gets little rest amid the noise and confusion. Most classroom rabbits are shut alone in the school at night just at the time they are most active and in need of affection and attention. On weekends it is often the practice to send the poor bunny to a different house each time. Rabbits bond closely with their territory and their nature dictates that they know their surroundings well. Constantly being put in a strange environment is very stressful for them and can lead to aggression induced by fear. Some of the homes will be less than ideal with well-meaning people who know little about a rabbit's care or health. Unsupervised small children in the home could injure or kill the rabbit by mishandling or feeding inappropriate foods. Along comes the summertime when school is closed and this time no one wants the bunny. Then he or she is taken to a shelter or put out in a park to die. Sound harsh? Believe us - it happens.
Nibbles' Story
Nibbles was bought from PetCetera at 6 weeks of age by a teacher who thought
a rabbit would be a good learning tool. By the end of the school year
nobody wanted her. She was lucky and was rescued by a kind person.
The teacher admitted this had been a big mistake and there were many problems associated with having an animal in the classroom. Children would taunt the bunny, poke at her, and in general, make her life miserable. Kept in a tiny cage, she had nowhere to escape. Evenings she was alone and every weekend she was shunted to a different house. After she arrived at her rescue home the signs of trauma were obvious. Nibbles never fully recovered, and unfortunately died at a young age.
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