Dunfermline is the bunny capital of Scotland!
Published 29 Apr 2010 06:52
4 Comments
DUNFERMLINE is known worldwide as the birthplace of kings and Andrew Carnegie. But now Scotland's ancient capital is staking a new claim to fame ... as the bunny capital of Scotland.
Rabbit Awareness Week started on Monday and a Dunfermline vet says he's not aware of another practice in the country which cares for more pet bunnies.
Inglis Veterinary Hospital, thought to be the biggest of its kind in Scotland, has an amazing 2000 rabbits on its books.
"With numbers like that Dunfermline could probably claim to be Scotland's bunny capital," said Inglis' partner Ken Davison.
Not only is the city a warren of bunny lovers; it's home to a UK champion rabbit and, to really pull a rabbit out of the hat, a mascot called Rabbit the Bruce hopped along to an Easter event staged by the city-centre management team, Dunfermline Delivers.
Reinforcing the case for Dunfermline's blossoming bunny reputation, 76-year-old Alan Brand suggested, "It might well be because of me."
The pensioner is one of the country's top rabbit experts and has done much to help put Dunfermline on the rabbit map, if there is such a thing.
As well as being honorary president of Dunfermline Rabbit Club he's a life member of both the British and Scottish rabbit clubs.
Among the 28 pedigree adult rabbits he keeps at his Dunfermline home is a current British champion.
"This place has always been big on rabbit shows," said Alan.
"The Dunfermline show was the top one in Scotland. The 1991 show, for example, had 490 rabbits, a record at that time."
While Alan keeps all but one of his rabbits as show animals rather than pets, he is convinced bunnies make ideal companions for animal lovers.
"They are easy to keep and they are always there for you when you want them," said Alan.
"They like to be handled every day but if you do that and look after them well they can make really friendly pets."
Quite why the city is a rabbit hutch haven is something of a mystery but staff at Inglis say people in Dunfermline are increasingly turning to rabbits as their pet of choice.
"We are definitely seeing more rabbits than ever before," said head nurse Leeann Burton, " and I'm not surprised.
"Rabbits make great pets. They're not low maintenance but they are generally easier to keep than, say, dogs and unlike dogs, they don't get Asbos!"
Leanne, who owns two bunnies herself, added that pet rabbits were also more intelligent than most people would think.
"If they are looked after well they can be quite affectionate," she said.
"They all have their own individual personality and of course they are quite cute."
Although it appears that rabbits breed like, well, rabbits in Dunfermline, the city sadly doesn't feature on the website promoting Rabbit Awareness Week.
This year's campaign, which runs until Sunday, focuses on rabbit obesity and features rabbit-related events throughout the UK.
"Obesity is a big problem with pet rabbits," said Leeanne.
"Many simply aren't fed properly and so get overweight and develop a range of other problems."
Inglis will host a free rabbit awareness evening for first-time rabbit owners and people considering getting a bunny at their hospital in Halbeath Road, Dunfermline, at 7.30pm tonight (Thursday).
Call 722818 to book. Owners concerned about their rabbit's weight or general health should call Inglis to book a free health check with a veterinary nurse.
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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joe
Unregistered User
Apr 29, 13:24
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davey boy
Unregistered User
Apr 29, 14:09
Report commentdo these bunnies run on duracells ( bet this gets zapped)
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Mike intheknow
Unregistered User
Apr 29, 19:52
Report commentIts nice to see the rabbits, on Sinclair roundabout area :P
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LochgellyLass
2 posts
Mar 11, 16:49
Report commentbunnies are cute like the one up the page a bit!
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