Page 67 - Phonebox Magazine April 2012

RABBits
There are estimated to be over a million
rabbits kept as pets in the UK, making them
the third most popular pet after cats and dogs. There are many different breeds and varieties
of rabbit, varying in size, body shape and personality.
Typically, rabbits live for 8-12 years, but some • may live for longer.
The biology and behaviour of pet rabbits is
very similar to that of wild rabbits. This means • they have very complex needs. Being aware
of how wild rabbits live can help you
understand your pet rabbit’s needs better. • Rabbits are active animals. They need regular exercise and the opportunity to hop, run,
jump, dig, stand fully upright on their back
legs, and stretch out fully when lying down. • Rabbits must be able to hide from things that scare them. As they are a prey species, they
need to be able to hide in a secure place,
away from the sight and smell of predators
(e.g. foxes, cats, dogs, ferrets and birds of
prey).
Looking after a rabbit
• Provide your rabbits with a secure living
can rest, feel
safe and are
protected from predators and extremes of weather and temperature. Ensure all areas of your rabbits' environment are well ventilated, dry and draught-free.
Make sure your rabbits have constant access to safe hiding places where they can escape if they feel afraid.
Make sure your rabbits have opportunities to exercise every day to stay fit and healthy.
Provide enough bedding to keep your rabbits warm. Bedding should be safe for your rabbits to eat, e.g. dust-free straw or hay.
Give your rabbit’s regular (ideally constant) access to a suitable place where they can go to the toilet. If you provide litter trays, use newspaper, hay/straw, shredded paper and/or natural wood or paper-based non-clumping, non- expanding cat litter. The toilet area(s) should be separate to where your rabbits sleep.
environment that is large enough for them all to exercise in and stand up fully on their back legs without their ears touching the roof.
• Clean the housing and toilet areas regularly.
• You should provide both a large living area and a secure shelter where your rabbits
If you would like to offer a home to any of the Milton Keynes & North Bucks RSPCA small mammals or cats, please call 01908 611179 or log to www.mkrspca.org.uk
Dear Editor
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in Olney
Caring for your Dog
doggy day care is based in olney!
Run by a friendly, reliable dog lover who can look after your dog all day whilst you are at work or leisure
Also available for overnights, weekends and holidays by arrangement
daily rate is £15 per dog with a discount available for your second dog.
half day £10
with a minimum of two walks a day
with plenty of love, cuddles and playtime your dog won’t want to leave!!
www.olneydoggydaycare.co.uk
starts 16th April – Bookings being taken now
call Rosie on 07821 080 989 or 01234 241462
The slippery slope of 24 hour shopping
seems to be increasingly coming to
Olney. Tescos is already open every
day from 6am to 10pm and now the
Co-op has decided to extend its
opening hours from 6am until 11pm
Monday to Saturday with effect from
15th April (Sunday?). At the time of
writing this letter it appears to be one of
their worst kept secrets as whilst these
opening hours have not been advertised, the
staff have been told (albeit by way of a notice to them pinned up on the wall where they have their coffee break!) and surprise, surprise, staff talk!
This decision has been taken without any consultation or even simple advice to those who live close by to the shop, as we do, and without any concern as to the effect this will have on local residents. For a company that likes to wave the ‘community’ flag, clearly the effects this may have on the local community have been totally ignored – there was a time when the Co-op head office communicated with the local residents but over the recent years there has been a gradual decline in customer relations to the point where now we just shut up and put up with it all!
It is difficult to see who will benefit from these extended opening hours – in fact the cons seem to outweigh the pros but someone, somewhere obviously knows better and is there worse to come – what other proposals do the Co-operative society have up their sleeve for the Olney store?
The current TV advertisement heralds the Co-op as being “good with food” – maybe they need to look at how they can modify that to include being fair to the community here in Olney.
Bob & Sandra Wingerath Olney
Phonebox Magazine 67