Letter: Pet rabbits should stay indoors
The Long Island Rabbit Show features the best of the breeds of Flemish Giants, Belgian Hares and more on April 12, 2014 at Old Bethpage Village Restoration in Old Bethpage. Credit: Carol Doukas
I co-manage an all-volunteer organization, Long Island Rabbit Rescue, that takes in abused, neglected or abandoned rabbits, has them medically treated and spayed or neutered, and places them in loving, indoor homes ["Bunny walking: Hop to it!" exploreLI, Nov. 10].
We never use harnesses or leashes, because rabbits can become panicked by noises humans can't hear or smells we can't detect. Restraint devices are not recommended. My organization has heard horror stories about rabbits panicking in a leash and getting hurt.
We also don't have our bunnies outdoors, even in cages or pens. There are parasites in our area that rabbits pick up off the ground, such as fly maggots, Cuterebra and raccoon roundworm. These parasites can kill, and we haven't been able to rescue some rabbits in time.
Rabbits are happier indoors in a bunny-proofed room. There they need not worry about potential predators, hawks, raccoons or car sounds. The "great outdoors" is actually frightening to many rabbits.
Mary Ann Maier, Sea Cliff
