As a rabbit owner, I am very upset to see the awful conditions Columbia Farm Supply keeps their rabbits for sale in. They house rabbits (purchased from a local breeder) in wire-bottom cages, and cram multiple rabbits into these small areas. They do not provide proper nutrition or adequate amounts of water to the animals either. I have taken pictures for reference. I visit this store every Sunday to purchase hay and pellets for my own rabbits. On multiple occasions, I have tried to gently educate the employees about the correct diet for rabbits. Grass hay is essential to a rabbit’s diet as it supports a healthy digestive system. The rabbits are suppose to have unlimited access to hay so they can graze all day long (similar to cows, goats, and horses). I tried explaining to employees at this store the importance of the grass hay. They sell the product in their store; yet have still not given the rabbits a single strand of hay to eat. They choose to feed pellets only, which will eventually make the rabbits ill. There is research to support this. Also, they do not lock the cage doors, which allows for anyone to grab and mishandle these fragile creatures. I have witnessed on numerous occasions small children reaching in and harmfully picking up these rabbits. Also, I have taken pictures of a rabbit whose fur was matted, and who had an injury behind its eye (probably a bite wound from one of the rabbits it is forced to share the small space with). I was very unhappy with the responses I received from the employees I spoke with. They did not seem to care about the husbandry or diet for these live animals at all. The wire-bottom cages cause a painful condition on the bottom of the rabbits’ feet called “sore hocks”. These animals do not have paw pads or hooves to protect their feet. They are forced to bear their body weight on these metal floors all day long.
I hate to purchase supplies from this store as I feel I am supporting their animal neglect and abuse. Something needs to be done to end this cruelty!
