My house is for sale in rural France. I have rescued countless ex-bat hens and buried them when they died. All of my dogs and cats were destined for the 'bucket'. Today I received a letter from some one who who viewed my house a week back. To set the scene, the rabbit (who almost died due to a viral infection and had to have his nose removed) and two guinea pigs live on hard standing ground with a double layer of mesh around their run to keep out predators. Their hutches are designed to keep in the warmth and the rain out. This is the letter :

"Dear Mr & Mrs UB

I am the lady who viewed your house last Friday. The subject of this letter is your rabbits and guinea pigs' shelter.
I must say I was shocked and nearly cried before the heart-rendering scene of the poor pets living in a hard and full of bumps concrete ground - not to mention the rather small size of their 'run'. The rabbit especially had his nose nearly bleeding due to the contact with the surrounding surface (info- rabbit had nose amputated after nearly dying of a viral infection). Moreover, he had no place to lie. Sure rabbits can dig holes and there are the predators (info -hence the concrete and double layer of mesh), but comfort is important too - The poor little thing standing in a corner miserably was accusing all the human race, staring me straight in the eyes - and her paws in pain.
Moreover, her hutch is so tiny, surely only the guinea pig can enter it.
Being myself the happy owner of a she-rabbit, she sleeps in a bedroom on a comfy pillow; the floor is complete and she has a number of sweaters inc sheepskin sheets... for her to rest on. The house is open freely for her as well. Her garden hutch is wood and provided with straw - (WAIT FOR IT) we take her for outings everytime it is possible; on the beach, in ????, shops etc.

There is so much more we do for her I cannot detail everything. I just hope you will give a little TLC to your furry friends in the future.

Kind regards (first name)"

I wish I had a sharp intellect to come of with a witty reply - but

She sounds eccentric.

Have you tried replying with "MYOFB"?

Whilst the letter is some what strange (I presume it's a translation?) can I ask if you provide bedding etc for them? The author has a point if they are kept on hard ground with no hay or shavings to soften it.

Was the nose bleeding? If so why?

well the woman obviously cares about pets so dont bite her head off, cant you just explain to her what you have told us or is there no return address?

I can provide a many pictures, they have hay that we get from the farm next door and in their hutches. They have runs on hard standing for their claws. The rabbits nose is not bleeding, it had to have it amputated due to a viral infection that almost killed him, not pretty but he has survived. It wasn't a translation, the person that sent it had English as their first language.

Yes, but taking your bunny to the beach is not someone I think I will get through to. Has she turned round 180 degrees she would have seen that my ex-bat hens have a huge run (not taking them to the beach either). I get mental illness, I have problems myself, but this is weird.

I am thinking of sending the number of the SPA (RSPCA) because I would welcome a visit.

I didn't mean to sound rude, it was just from her letter it appeared that there wasn't anything softening the ground. If you have provided that then fair enough.

It's a very odd letter, I wouldn't accuse her of mental illness thoug, I suspect she was upset due to misunderstanding, I can't imagine an amputated nose is pretty, especially if she's not expecting it. Have you written back? I'd be tempted to write her a nice letter explaining everything and inviting her back to show her, and discuss any concerns she has.

Whilst its not nice for you, I'm pleased that there are people that do care dnough to say something, as many people would ignore thier concerns and move on.

Having said that if it were me that was 'accused' I'd be feeling rather put out and angry too.

I will send her a short message explaining the rabbits lack of nose. There is no way I agree to having him sleeping in the house, my Visla and Spaniel-x would eat him for breakfast.

Sorry but I laughed at the idea of her taking her rabbit for a walk along the beach. I used to take my cats down the beach with me and our dogs. They loved it, but a rabbit. Sorry to jump into your thread. Anyway well done on saving your animals from a horrific death. I hope you sell your place soon to a nice person.

i cant get my head round cats enjoying the beach!!

They used to sit watching the creatures in the rock pools, walking across the rocks, rolling in the sand. Totally loved it. Whenever I said to the dogs "Is it thon time?" the cats would rush to the back door too. A fight to get down the beach first.

No you are welcome, that was exactly what I thought, and the sort of sensible reply I was hoping for. Now the anger has subsided it is making me laugh.

I have sent a copy of the letter and a message to the estate agents warning them not to take her to a truly Breton farm, if she saw the meat bunnies in their hutches she would probably need sectioning.

It'll be interesting to see how she reacts to the chasse who aren't licensed to hunt with guns

Agree with you writing to the agents, you're right about the meat bunnies.

The only thing that sounds wrong with their set up tbh is that rabbits and guinea pigs should never be housed together. Rabbits are a danger to guinea pigs due to their powerful kick and they have different dietary requirements. It's one of those things that used to be done all the time but now it strongly discouraged.

Wow. Sorry but keeping a rabbit on a pillow with sweaters and sheepskin rugs is not normal, I'm not even touching the trips to the seaside. I wonder if she buys it ice creams.

It doesn't seem very natural for a rabbit. They like straw, vegetables and dirt. In that order.

My rabbit is a pedigree 'tete de lion', which is a dwarf breed, He has lived quite happily with his guinea pig friends for five years.

I want her to report me to the SPA (RSPC), then I can prove how well all my rescued animals are looked after.

You do give the rabbit lots of hay and grass etc though right?

Probably the local busybody.

I think the letter writer has a point. In fact I've rarely seen either rabbits or guinea pigs kept in properly humane conditions. Some people who were once next door to me kept a rabbit in a tiny hutch (but also pretty much standard sized) and often didn't bother to remove the cover for days on end. A new neighbour has guinea pigs that live their entire lives in a hutch that must be less than a metre long. I really don't understand why people feel the need to keep these animals in what amounts to battery farm conditions.

As I said it's been common practice for a long time but no reputable pet shop, expert or vet would recommend it. In fact I (thankfully) over heard the other day a pets at home employee saying to a customer they would not sell guinea pigs as companions to rabbits.

Rabbits only have to kick once to kill a guinea pig, whatever their size and, as I said, their dietary requirements are different. Guinea pigs cannot synthesise vitamin C and therefore this must be supplied as extra in their diets. Rabbits don't need it. It's why they have different food.

I see the effects of badly looked after rabbits due to my gfs work, and if you rehome yours i expect you have too, so while there are some facts this lady isnt aware of its only a good thing she is sticking her nose in and looking out for their wellfare as they are as a species a very neglected pet.

Whilst I agree with this point, if the guinea pig had severe vitamin C deficiency, it would ether be dead or poorly by now and I speak as someone who saw victim C deficiency in guinea pigs whilst working in a pet shop ( it wasn't nice ) and owned 11 over 15 years.

Yes all year round, and fresh vegetables, even in winter.


I have rescued countless ex-battery hens, they have a huge run which is surrounded by an electric fence. When they die naturally they are buried in my garden. All my animals have a run, clean pens and fresh bedding. That is what I do, rescue animals, please don't compare me with someone else when you have no idea how many animals I have rescued.


They have been very happy for a long time. I am aware of the dietry differences in cavies and rabbits and I always buy GP food plus loads of extra fresh fruit and veg.


She may well be but instead of accusing me of rabbit neglect she should have asked 'is there a problem with his nose?'. Yes there is, he almost died as a result of a viral infection many years ago. It would have been much cheaper to have him put down, instead we chose to have his nose amputated. He now has a patio run so he cannot dig and create further irritation.

I thought this was a forum for pet lovers; I do not understand all the critisism I have received! Yes I do rescue animals that would have otherwise been destroyed, all my indoor pets are micro-chipped and vaccinated.

She is one sandwich short of a picnic imo, who here takes their rabbit to the shops and beach - give me a break