INTERNATIONAL RABBIT DAY 2002
Press Release for Wednesday, 18 Sep 2002

Get your carrots ready - House Rabbit Society of Singapore (HRSS) will be celebrating the International Rabbit Day^® on Sunday, 29 September 2002. This year the theme is Happy Bunnies and HRSS will be giving advice on how to keep your rabbits healthy and happy as part of SPCA's World Animal Day celebrations.

It will be fun filled day for everyone at the SPCA campus at 31 Mount Vernon Road. The event runs from 10.30am - 3.30pm and there will be stage games, face and hand painting, and sale of gifts and stationery to support the work of various animal welfare societies. There will also be exhibitions on the work of the societies, responsible pet ownership, animal abuse, sterilisation of pets, and lots more.

The highlight of the event for all bunny lovers will definitely be the rabbits awaiting adoption in SPCA's pound. Please come and give them lots of cuddles.

Most pet rabbits are not happy

Rabbits are the third most popular pets in Singapore. They are also the least happy. This is partly due to the fact that many caregivers are unaware of the needs of their new pet. For example, rabbits need a large living area, preferably in the house or a safe outdoor building. Rabbits also need a big run for daytime exercise, plenty of fresh food, water, bedding and toys to keep them entertained.

"Many pets in Singapore suffer unnecessarily because of ignorance on part of their owners," says HRSS President Kapil Sharma. "The problem is particularly acute for rabbits because people wrongly assume that they are low-maintenance starter pets."

Every year in Singapore, many hundreds of rabbits are abandoned to shelters or released outdoors - a sure death sentence for a domestic rabbit. HRSS therefore encourages people to adopt a rabbit instead of buying one.

"If you are planning to get a pet rabbit, adopt one from SPCA or from an HRSS foster home. Our website has pictures of many rescued bunnies that are looking for good homes," appealed Eng Ling, an HRSS volunteer. "Many people are simply unaware of the number of rabbits being surrendered and euthanized in Singapore. They don't realise that to purchase from a breeder or pet store is to write a death warrant for a shelter rabbit."

For more information about rabbit care and behaviour, please visit the HRSS website at http://www.hrss.net. For a bunny basics leaflet, please send a self addressed envelop to House Rabbit Society of Singapore, Alexandra Post Office, PO Box 120, Singapore 911504.

For more information about the SPCA and the World Animal Day celebrations, please visit the SPCA website at http://www.spca.org.sg.

House Rabbit Society of Singapore (HRSS) is an all-volunteer, non-profit organisation dedicated to rabbit welfare and awareness. It seeks to reduce the number of unwanted rabbits in Singapore and improve rabbits' lives through education. For more information on HRSS, please visit its website at http://www.hrss.net.

For additional information reporters may contact information@hrss.net.