My friend can no longer afford to keep her two dwarf rabbits. She knows i am a "pet person" and offered to give them to me, along with their cage, because she said she knows i'll take care of them. I got some books about rabbits at the library and i'm also researching them online. I even have an extra room that we use for my cockatiel, and there's plenty of space for a bunny hutch. The problem is, I don't think my parents will say yes. I already have a german shepherd, a cockatiel, and a goldfish (the rabbits would not be interacting with my dog). My mom's not a big fan of small furry animals, because she's afraid they'll smell bad. I'm responsible, I do my chores, I get good grades, I'm in honors classes, I passed with high marks on the final exams, and my allowance is big enough to provide food and toys for the bunnies. Does anyone know any tips to soften up my parents??
2007-06-04 13:19:09 · 14 answers · asked by Lianna 2 in Pets ➔ Rodents
yes, i do take care of the pets i already have. i clean their living quarters without being told, i like to shop for new toys for them, etc. They are my babies. :D
2007-06-04 13:29:54 · update #1
Okay, well I think you should write down on a piece of paper what you want to say to your parents and then sit them down one night or during dinner and explain to them about the dwarf rabbits and say what you mentioned above about you will take care of them, how they're free, you'd keep the cage clean. Remind them how you get good grades, do your chores and everything so you know you are responsible for rabbits. Hope this helps!
2007-06-04 14:33:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
One thing is for sure when wanting a pet. I want a big German Shepherd Dog, and so I work. I try my best to not back talk, be friendly, take constant care of my own pets, and to ask my parents if they need help. I try to raise my grades. It's not easy for me, have 3 brothers and one sister. Everyone is wanting something. My sister is wanting a dog and is not doing the same, just begging. I am also looking up how much the cage and accessories with cost. Me an you are alike, both looking up the pet, both getting good grades. And my parents aren't easy to soften. Just work and show more than you already are.
2007-06-04 21:16:48 · answer #2 · answered by Wolf 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You sound like you are responsible and willing to make the commitment to caring for these rabbits. It also sounds like you have taken some initiative to do a little research. Rabbits are fragile animals that require a lot of care & daily cleaning of their cage. You can train them to use a litter pan (each of my 3 rescued rabbits learned quickly) and if you clean the cage daily, the smell should not be an issue. It isn't for us, unless our rabbit eats certain foods that make her gassy.
Do your research, document it, and share it with your parents. Explain how much you have looked into their care & feeding and what kind of a commitment you will be making. Rabbits can live 8+ years, so if you will be going off to college before these rabbits live out their natural life, your parents may be concerned about having to care for them when you leave. (It's unlikely that you will be able to take them with you.) address this, if it is an issue.
I would recommend the following two websites for some of your research:
http://www.rabbit.org/
www.saveabunny.com
Good luck!
2007-06-04 23:01:58 · answer #3 · answered by M3 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you asked them yet about keeping the bunnies? If so, what are all their reason's for not allowing you to have them? Once you figure out the reason's why they are saying no, you can work on proving them "wrong". If you're mom is worried about the smell, let her know that rabbit's do not naturally smell and that you will clean their cages whenever they are dirty. Tell them everything you just wrote out (that you are responsible, will use your own allowance to provide for them, etc.) and let them see you reading up and educating yourself on rabbits. Also share what you have read with them. Once they see you are serious about the commitment of a new pet, they might reconsider.
2007-06-04 20:29:07 · answer #4 · answered by Jacqueline . 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell them that you are most likely a better pet owner that your friend could ever give her bunnies to and make a commitment that you will always take care of them, even if you have to sacrifice some of your time. That is the easiest way to convince parents I 've found. Also tell them everything that you told us like the part were you know that you will be able to afford food and supplies.
Don't forget that once you make a commitment, you must never brake it or the chances of you getting something else that you promise to take care of is enough.
2007-06-04 20:23:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Taking on rabbits is a big responsibility, the hutch must be attended to daily. Sounds like you would be a responsible caregiver to these soon to be homeless rabbits, so just state your case to your parents like you have to us. If you can maintain a cockatiel and it's cage, bunnies should be no problem.
2007-06-04 20:32:04 · answer #6 · answered by trusport 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You sound like a very responsible person. The bunnies would be lucky to live with you. It is easy to collect a lot of animals and it becomes hard to care for them all, so you do have to be careful. As long as you are the one who is already taking care of the other pets, and your parents aren't doing it for you, I would at least give you the chance to care for them. If you didn't, I would find them a new home. Good luck, I hope you get them...maybe you will be a vet someday! :)
2007-06-04 20:27:51 · answer #7 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your Mom is afraid they'll smell, rabbits might not be such a good choice after all. In the end, you really simply must respect your parents wishes- they're the ones who will end up paying for the extra pets, and even if you take wonderful care of them now, they'll be the ones suck with them when you eventually move out of the house.
2007-06-04 20:25:06 · answer #8 · answered by magy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The poop like crazy. I love rabbits and I had one when I was little. My mother wouldn't let me get another one when he died because of this. So hopefully your parents don't know about the million pellets that happen every hour.
That aside, offer to do something for them. Clean something, cook, babysit...I certainly wouldn't try to manipulate them but sometimes nice gestures go a long way.
Good luck! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
2007-06-04 20:29:01 · answer #9 · answered by Melissa G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
heyy lianna. to convince your parents, just tell them that ur really ready and explain to them why. tell them that u will take care of them and give them evidence that ur ready. for instance, they may think ur irresponsible, so clean up a bit around the house, take the dog out and clean the cocketiel cage without them asking, soon they'll catch on and it will sure`ly work, pleasure helpin
~val~
2007-06-04 20:28:55 · answer #10 · answered by Animal Helper 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋