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Originally Posted by chattiesmom  I know that many countries/cultures don't view animals as we do and many are horribly abused. Humans that abuse animals, whatever the cause are the scourge of the earth, they should be STOPPED and they will receive their just rewards. I also believe that some animal activists do more harm than good by using information to suit their agenda. It is a good thing to know where your products are coming from and how the raw products are produced/procured.
If the rabbit's molting is anything like my fuzzy mini horses twice a year shedding, then I can see where rabbit owners would "pluck" the hair. My definition of "pluck" would be to gently pull out loose hair. When my miniature horses are shedding their long winter coats I can pull handfulls of hair from their bodies. It is loose hair that is ready to come out. I can brush them all day long, but sometimes it's more expedient to grab a handful and give it a gentle tug and out comes the loose hair and in stays the hair not yet ready to be shed. Bizzy and Quincy especially resent the process, but I can assure you that they aren't hurt in any way and they certainly appreciate getting rid them of all of the itchy loose hair.
I would expect that rabbits would resent a human grooming them and/or pulling out loose hair even if didn't hurt - that is unless they were trained to accept the procedure. Just like sheep being sheared, goats being milked, etc. Even Yorkies can and do object to being groomed until they either are trained to accept grooming or learn to enjoy it. |
Aunt Betty said some love the grooming and will lay in their laps and enjoy the brushing...others like to move around more, but they dont have to hold down or tie down any of the rabbits, guess you could say they are accustomed to the schedule!....she has been doing this since the 70's I think...she took over HER mom and dads business, and they were doing it when I was in high school.......Aunt Betty had 3 kids, the two boys are policemen, and the girl is the one that will continue the rabbit business, along with her 3 kids!
I cant stand abusing any animals for any reason. (That includes "stripping" coats on dogs, or pulling the hair from inside their ears!) When farm animals are raised to slaughter, I want it done quickly and painlessly. The only thing I am upset about is the fact that people will actually think from that ONE PETA video, that is the only way this is done....that is the exception rather than the rule. I am thankful that all the hundreds of farmers that produce Angora fiber, not only from rabbits but from sheep too, the ones that depend on those animals and the production of the fleece/fur/fiber/wool to provide them a living, have not been affected financially by uproar over that video. That would be like all of us getting smeared by one video of a dog fighting operation....we dont treat our dogs like that and should not be considered in the same catagory....same with Angora farmers! That is why I could not boycott buying Angora....But I could certainly support action against THAT factory in the video!