Meeting George

Hi everybun
I post this here because it seems the most appropriate place.
Carol a lady that works at our local petrol station/convenience store has a bunny called George.
She has been telling me about him for some time and clearly loves him.
Today she asked me whether I know of some one that can groom a rabbit as George has some matted fur on his back.yes I can
So we arranged and I went to meet him.
A giant lop, entire, not vaccinated, living in a hutch that we would describe as unsuitable, outdoor bun, matted as she wasn't aware a rabbit needs grooming. He was bought from a local pet shop
After spending all evening to try to detangle his fur, cutting of most of his back fur and.....
Managing to cut his nails including making him bleed she offered me to be paid.
Some discussion obviousley during the four hours with advice on housing and care I said I can't take money.
I will except a bottle of wine and call her tomorrow to see how Gorge is doing.
My idea is to say the only payment I accept is a valid vaccination card.
I m keen to keep in touch and give more advice as well as fur care as there are still parts left on scut and hinds that need sortin but with light failing at 22.30 there was not much else I could do.
I have given her advice leaflets from RWAF and tried gently(watch the German) to think about housing. A mate, and other care issues.
Asking why he is not neutered after spaying the house which is why he is now outdoors she told me the receptionist at Cheltenham animal shelter told her it won't make a difference:hbws:
I'm a supporting meme er of the shelter. Guessw hat I'm gonna do in the morning. Kick up a big fuss. Yes a big one.is there anything you could think of? I need to get more hop to it booklets of RWAf .
Just feel so sad. He is a lovely rabbit.

You have done a great thing here! I think some people aren't deliberate rubbish rabbit owners, they just don't know any better. And you have given this lady advice on how to improve things for George.

She must have his best interests at heart, before she bothered to ask in the first place.

Did she take your advice well? Do you think she'll improve his situation?

He does sound lovely Claudia,
I think your doing the right thing by helping out grooming him, and teaching his owner about how to care for her bunny. Gentle words of encouragement are probably the best way to go with his owner, it can be very hard hearing that you're not actually caring for your bunny the best you could, when you have been thinking that you have.
If you have got one of the "hop to it" guides available that might be good to leave with the owner, as I found that helped me, even when I had owned a bunny for a while. Its also easier then for her to read and take in what its saying without needing to feel defensive, and also can be a reference for her to go back to.

Its a shame RAW has gone as that would have been a great thing to try and get the owner to take him to.

If and when you come to talk about money again, you could say to her that you would rather she spend her money getting him a vaccine, and offer to go to the appointment with her if you can, especially if you take her to your vet, you could make the appointment for her and/or explain the situation to the vet beforehand.

Another thing to suggest would be if you were going for a shopping trip to stock up for your buns, you could invite her along with you, which would give you a chance to chat and potentially explain why you buy the things you do for your buns, and if she's buying things offer advice on her choices.

I haven't got a hop to it left need to get some. But gave her the smaller booklet/leaflet on how to improve bunnies life one to one step.
He doesn't like to eat hay but takes ready grass and has a lot of room to run in the garden. He is bigger than my female cat!
As I need to post some letters I packed a goodie bag for him with some burns and ins hay, a grass ball, loo roll and the rabbiting on magazines that I could find. I will offer her to be passed on when I read them. Yes I hope she will take advice. Just don't want to make her feel bad so the gentle approach is likely to work best.
We have agreed that I will finish his grooming over the weekend.
I will keep you posted.

Thanks for doing your best to help this bun

It sounds as though his owner just doesn't know any better. Hopefully with your knowledge and advice, things will improve for George.

Keep up the good work!

Is there any news re George?

Yes and no. He is doing ok I have been told.
Planning to see him next week. His humum told me he had a sticky eye and she went to vet at pah Cheltenham who prescribed eye drops. Not vaccinating the rabbit.
Again I stressed that whilst an outdoor bun unvaccinated is a potential of trouble she claimed the vet said he is fine!?
My response to her reques as she feels she can't groom his back legs and bum as he won't keep still. I come over and we do it together.
I feel sorry for the boy. I provided details of a company to by a better hutch too. It is sad, even considered to take him on and try binding with D'Layla but can't really afford a fourth bun not knowing how things will turn out and certainly don't want to be left with a lonesome buck.
So better the devil you know. I had given RWAF advice and just have to check how far I can push things safely.:-(

How would you feel about asking the RSPCA to visit and advise her? Sometimes it just takes someone official to get the message across. Or maybe someone from the shelter would come out on the pretext of being an extra set of hands to assist with the grooming.
There is a PDF version of hop to it if you want to print it off yourself. Just Google it and it comes up easily. If he is matted then he is also going to be at risk of flystrike. Thhese situations are horribly difficult.

this may sound horrible but show her pics of what can go wrong, sometimes people need to be scared into acting.

That's a really good point Gemma. Some people need shock tactics!

Good thinking! Thanks:hugs:

Hope it works