Getting so frustrated with our government and stupid myxi

Excuse me everyone, but i'm really angry and upset right now.

As some of you may know, in Australia the vaccine for myxomatosis is an illegal substance in Australia. The consequences of importing it are the same as importing proper drugs (such as cocaine) and vets cannot administer it under any circumstances. If you take your rabbit out of the country, you're not allowed to bring it back into Australia - in case you got your rabbit vaccinated while you were overseas.

Because of our torrential rain, we've been having swarms of mosquitos and there has been an epidemic in rabbits dying because of myxi.

This situation of itself already makes me angry, and then this article was on the front page of today's paper: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/mosquitoborne-epidemic-bumping-off-backyard-bunnies-20110108-19jgl.html

The ban on the myxi vaccine is barely mentioned! And the illogical reasoning behind banning the myxi vaccine in Australia is not even touched upon! The government actually thinks that if domestic bunnies are vaccined, they'll escape into the wild and spread their vaccine to the wild rabbits! Not only is that impossible, but wild rabbits have already developed an immunity to the milder forms of myxi, but our domestic bunnies don't have it at all!

I'm just so frustrated. Bunnies are dying because there is no vaccine and because their owners don't know how to protect them properly. I'm also scared that a mosquito might slip by my defences and kill by two babies.

On the plus side, it did mention that people should keep their rabbits inside, but it's not a well researched piece at all.

Sorry I'm just in a bad mood.

That's just heartbreaking. I can't bear the idea of being late with or not vaccinating my bunnies, it must be really hard knowing there is a vaccine but you can't use it.

I really hope they change the law soon. There's loads of wild rabbits round here and myxi is rife so vaccinating domestic rabbits doesn't seem to be making a lot of difference to wild rabbits.

It did mention that rabbits were becoming more popular and that more adults were keeping them. That means that hopefully, adults will be more vocal about their own bunnies than they would have been if they were just pets for their children and there little depth of feeling for them other than to just please the kids.

You never know, this might be the start of a backlash against the vaccination ban. Maybe you should contact the paper and talk about your experience as it might spark others to do so too.

At least there are some precautions you can take, but it must be so worrying for you. I hope your pair are safe until this bad weather passes.

Poor bunnies, it is heartbreaking to think of how those infected with myxie are suffering.
There is a positive message there though,about rabbits being the third most popular pet and also being kept indoors by adults rather than for children. Lets hope people see this and act upon it. Not that I think rabbits should be kept indoors all the time, I let mine out for a run around when the weather permits.

Thanks guys I know I'm overreacting a bit about this, and ignoring the small good points about the article, but I'm just getting very frustrated at the moment.

I made my dad read the article, as he thought I was being over paranoid by ensuring the doors are closed by mid-afternoon so mosquitos can get in. He seems now to understand how important it is. As if i'd make it up!

Aww thats terrible, why don't you start a petition to get people to sign so that they can see how important the vaccine is?

Awful, the Govt. are appeasing farmers with this nonsense, but it's based in no fact at all. As Nickie said, I hope a movement can take place to get this sorted out, based on science not politics. I can't imagine how frustrated you must be.

God, thats awful.

Im not surprised you are worried hun.

Like Nickie said - is it worth contacting the Paper with some further information?

At least there is some positive stuff in there which I hope people will take the time to read.

I really hope that a change can be made.

Katie x

Heartbreaking, truly heartbreaking, sending you masses of hugs

Thanks guys. The lady I adopted bruce from wrote into the paper. I know I was overreacting but the stress of summer with these two is getting to me.

You're right Jay, it's all about the farmers. It's ridiculous, given the amount of tax breaks etc they get, and since PET rabbits never hurt their farms.

I don't know if you've seen this already Nic, but there is a website from the House Rabbit soc. of Australia that is campaigning for the vaccine.
Here's the link**Contains upsetting images**

There doesn't seem to be a facebook site for them though, perhaps you could get this going for them, I think it would reach a bigger audience.

Why is it that where ever you live, the law is an ass?!!!

Jo xx

Jo, the law is made by politicians who need to pander to "interest groups" (in my case, farmers). Politicians don't want to lose their next election, so they pass laws such as this.

Thanks for the link Jay, I just signed the petition. I know this sounds bad, but I have always dismissed their website because of its 1990s layout and design. It's not well written either. Hmmm maybe I should get involved, at least help them get the basics of a good web presence.

I think you would be perfect to help them out. Def worth contacting them!

Good Luck honey. x x

[quote="NSD"]Jo, the law is made by politicians who need to pander to "interest groups" (in my case, farmers). Politicians don't want to lose their next election, so they pass laws such as this.

How very true.

Jo xxx

NSD wrote:
Thanks for the link Jay, I just signed the petition. I know this sounds bad, but I have always dismissed their website because of its 1990s layout and design. It's not well written either. Hmmm maybe I should get involved, at least help them get the basics of a good web presence.

I know exactly what you mean by that, it does look amateur and lacking presentation. Perhaps you could show them the House rabbit soc's site and Rabbit welfare assoc's site to push them in the right direction, but I think they'd be really glad of any help you could give, and us lot could chip in too if needed. I build sites, (in an amateur kinda way) make films and can make Flash animation as well, I built Theo's site. It's worth a try

It is very confrontational and that is a bit off-putting, even though I agree with what they are doing. I want a web-site to be rational and well-balanced so that the facts speak for themselves without a lot of emotional rhetoric.

NickieM wrote:It is very confrontational and that is a bit off-putting, even though I agree with what they are doing. I want a web-site to be rational and well-balanced so that the facts speak for themselves without a lot of emotional rhetoric.

Here here Nickie. That's a reason why I am put off by many animal welfare groups, especially at uni. They're extremely emotional.