Guinea Pigs and Rabbits

A very, very big thank you to those who have already signed and to those who are about to read my petition and hopefully sign. In the meantime do as I am doing and keep complaining about these establishments who continue doing this, to animal welfare organisations in your respective countries.

If no-one complains, nothing gets done.

I wish to get as many signature's as possible by August 2009 so that I may present my it to my local councils (and make it available for other peoples use )  to educate people and put an end to the practice of housing Guinea Pigs and Rabbits together in starting in public situation's firstly, for example: Pet shop's, animal attraction's in public places, zoo's etc. The RSPCA recomend not housing them together but cannot enforce it and can only advise on whats best for your Guinea Pig.
A kick from a Rabbit could be fatal to a Guinea Pig, also Guinea Pigs need vitamin C in their diets like us, unlike Rabbits who can manufacture it themselves.
See link below
http://www.guineapigcages.com/rabbits.htm

Please take a look at the following link to the English RSPCA, who agree that this is bad practice and recomends owners not to do it, but when asked to go investigate pet shops doing this, just tell me that they are both social spieces and they prefer not to do anything about it.
What do you think, please comment.

http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/RSPCARedirect&pg=SmallAnimalsCare&marker=1&articleId=1154077755508

I would ideally like it to be part of the new British Animal Welfare act.
Taken form Wikipedia:
Guinea pigs do not generally thrive when housed with other species. Cohousing of guinea pigs with other rodents such as gerbils and hamsters may increase instances of respiratory and other infections,[42] and such rodents may act aggressively toward the guinea pig.[43] Larger animals may regard guinea pigs as prey, though some (such as dogs) can be trained to accept them.[44] Guinea pigs can be safely housed with degu as they share the same dietary needs and have similar behavioural traits. Opinion is divided over the cohousing of guinea pigs and domestic rabbits. Some published sources say that guinea pigs and rabbits complement each other well when sharing a cage.[44][45] However, as lagomorphs, rabbits have different nutritional requirements, and so the two species cannot be fed the same food.[46] Rabbits may also harbor diseases (such as the respiratory infections Bordetella and Pasteurella), to which guinea pigs are susceptible.[47] Even the dwarf rabbit is much stronger than the guinea pig and may cause intentional or inadvertent injury.[48]
From a thread on Cavy Capers & Small Animal Antics
Pneumonia is one of the most common bacterial diseases of pet guinea pigs. A number of potential disease-causing bacteria may inhabit the respiratory tracts of otherwise normal guinea pigs. Stress, inadequate diet, and improper home care often predispose a pet guinea pig to respiratory infection. Signs of pneumonia may include labored or rapid breathing, discharge from eyes and nostrils, lethargy and inappetence. Some animals show no signs at all before dying suddenly. Middle and inner ear infections occasionally result from respiratory disease in guinea pigs. Additional signs may include incoordination, tilting of the head, circling to one side, and rolling. A veterinarian must be consulted about this serious bacterial infection. Aggressive antibiotic therapy by injection and appropriate supportive care are necessary. Bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity testing help the veterinarian select an appropriate antibiotic. Unfortunately, even though the signs of in-fection can be relieved, the causative bacteria cannot be eliminated. Rabbits and rats harbor at least one of the bacteria known to cause pneumonia in guinea pigs. Therefore, it is wise not to house these animals with or near guinea pigs.
Yet another good reason.

A very, very big thank you to those who have already signed and to those who are about to read my petition and hopefully sign. In the meantime do as I am doing and keep complaining about these establishments who continue doing this, to animal welfare organisations in your respective countries.

If no-one complains, nothing gets done.

I wish to get as many signature's as possible by August 2009 so that I may present my it to my local councils (and make it available for other peoples use )  to educate people and put an end to the practice of housing Guinea Pigs and Rabbits together in starting in public situation's firstly, for example: Pet shop's, animal attraction's in public places, zoo's etc. The RSPCA recomend not housing them together but cannot enforce it and can only advise on whats best for your Guinea Pig.
A kick from a Rabbit could be fatal to a Guinea Pig, also Guinea Pigs need vitamin C in their diets like us, unlike Rabbits who can manufacture it themselves.
See link below
http://www.guineapigcages.com/rabbits.htm

Please take a look at the following link to the English RSPCA, who agree that this is bad practice and recomends owners not to do it, but when asked to go investigate pet shops doing this, just tell me that they are both social spieces and they prefer not to do anything about it.
What do you think, please comment.

http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/RSPCARedirect&pg=SmallAnimalsCare&marker=1&articleId=1154077755508

I would ideally like it to be part of the new British Animal Welfare act.
Taken form Wikipedia:
Guinea pigs do not generally thrive when housed with other species. Cohousing of guinea pigs with other rodents such as gerbils and hamsters may increase instances of respiratory and other infections,[42] and such rodents may act aggressively toward the guinea pig.[43] Larger animals may regard guinea pigs as prey, though some (such as dogs) can be trained to accept them.[44] Guinea pigs can be safely housed with degu as they share the same dietary needs and have similar behavioural traits. Opinion is divided over the cohousing of guinea pigs and domestic rabbits. Some published sources say that guinea pigs and rabbits complement each other well when sharing a cage.[44][45] However, as lagomorphs, rabbits have different nutritional requirements, and so the two species cannot be fed the same food.[46] Rabbits may also harbor diseases (such as the respiratory infections Bordetella and Pasteurella), to which guinea pigs are susceptible.[47] Even the dwarf rabbit is much stronger than the guinea pig and may cause intentional or inadvertent injury.[48]
From a thread on Cavy Capers & Small Animal Antics
Pneumonia is one of the most common bacterial diseases of pet guinea pigs. A number of potential disease-causing bacteria may inhabit the respiratory tracts of otherwise normal guinea pigs. Stress, inadequate diet, and improper home care often predispose a pet guinea pig to respiratory infection. Signs of pneumonia may include labored or rapid breathing, discharge from eyes and nostrils, lethargy and inappetence. Some animals show no signs at all before dying suddenly. Middle and inner ear infections occasionally result from respiratory disease in guinea pigs. Additional signs may include incoordination, tilting of the head, circling to one side, and rolling. A veterinarian must be consulted about this serious bacterial infection. Aggressive antibiotic therapy by injection and appropriate supportive care are necessary. Bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity testing help the veterinarian select an appropriate antibiotic. Unfortunately, even though the signs of in-fection can be relieved, the causative bacteria cannot be eliminated. Rabbits and rats harbor at least one of the bacteria known to cause pneumonia in guinea pigs. Therefore, it is wise not to house these animals with or near guinea pigs.
Yet another good reason.