Can you help me?

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tattyruncy

tattyruncy

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I live in Scampton village, famous for the Dambust
Hi guys,
Mu hubby's been on the computer all night :tickedoff: and I'm slowly stressing about something and I'm too tired to write a letter tonight, but I will do in the morning.
I'm not very good at wording things politely when I'm fuming so wondered if you guys could help me come up with as much appropriate information as possible that I can put into writing to my daughters headmaster.
I'm probably not making any sense yet -
Well here goes - Some of you may remember me putting a thread up a short while ago about my daughters school getting a pet rabbit >:( I advised and asked and gave them loads of info about all the local rescues and despite them saying what a wonderful idea it was they took the kids to a local farm park and got one from there instead >:(
Anyway, I'm still upset about that but now I'm :tickedoff: I can't say what I feel cos I want to swear :tickedoff:
My daughters first day back at school after the hols and she announces that one of the teachers has got a guinea pig - a few weeks old - from a friend - apparently and it is living with the rabbit :tickedoff:
I want to go to the school tomorrow and shout at them and tell them exactly what I think of them and I know I'll end up in tears cos I'm hormonal aswell.
I have spent all evening worrying about this and I would like you all to post appropriately worded reasons about why rabbits and guinea pigs should not live together, if possible any R.S.P.C.A legislation etc so I can quote it in the letter.
I don't know whether they will listen to me :-\ but I feel I have to say something for the sake of the piggy and rabbit and for the school of 70 plus kids that are now going to think that it is ok for piggies and rabbits to live together >:(
Thanks guys, I really appreciate your help :)
 
Have a nice glass of Australian red and watch some meaningless rubbish on Sky/read a good book and try and relax, things seem a lot better once you've stepped away from them, no matter how angry they may make you. I understand your frustration and your anger, this winds me up too.

When you feel up to it, this website gives the many very good reasons why a guinea should never be housed with a rabbit:

http://www.susieandpigs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Rabbit.htm

The RSPCA recommend against it as well, it's in their adpotion booklet

Hope this helps, it's always good to be armed with facts before any confrontation ;)
 
perhaps if you have a friend that works in a rescue you could arrange for them to do a talk to the kids. really hoping you get things sorted for them, and why did they get a piggy that was only a few weeks old :tickedoff: :tickedoff: :tickedoff: surely too young to leave it's mum. sending hugs and good vibes and hope you kick butt :smitten:
:smitten: :smitten: i would put it plain and simple a guinea pig can get fatal diseases from a rabbit. and look at the rabbits feet, do you think a guinea pig will survive if the bunny accidently steps on it or sits on it? would you like the kids to see their pet guinea pig dying? hoping all turns out well. thinking of you. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
i remember as a child finding my piggy dead with no front teeth because we were told he could live with my rabbit :( hope you get some sense spoken to them i know its frustrating
 
I know how incredibly frustrating it can be, but try to stay calm. They're much more likely to take you seriously/listen if you speak in a calm and controlled manner/write in a calm way. Mention that you're concerned for the pigs safety, as rabbits and guinea pigs are not suitable to live together. Say that they may have been told this is ok, but usually people who say this are mis-informed and the modern way of thinking now dictates this is unacceptable. Say how distressing it would be for the children at school to find their guinea pig dead one day because (through no fault of its own) the rabbit kicked the guinea pig giving it serious internal injuries.

Dear oh dear you'd think a school would recognise it should take advice from more knowledgable people to prevent accidents happening :(
 
The RSPCA on thier website thou limited does at least state animals should be with thier own kind and as Guineas and rabbits are social animals they should have a fellow freind also explain the dangers not just injury but of the bacterial infection risk that is harmless to rabbits but can be lethal to guinea pigs can't rember the name of it! ::)
BUT STAY CALM!
Good luck!
x
 
Think the bacterial infection is Pasturella?
 
Yeah didn't they bring out regs for you guys on this ?
I agree with all the above, stay calm and give them facts O0 Mary bought up another good idea, get somebody to go in and advise them of the care etc.. for buns and piggies O0
Wishing you luck love :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:


Note: Julie mmmmm specially if it's a red from South Australia they're delicious :D :D :D
 
Well, I have written this, I have enclosed the article that Boureki recommended O0 and also the R.S.P.C.A. bits O0
I bet the headmaster will be glad it's Bethany's last year at this school, he'll probably be glad to see the back of me.


Dear Mr Hebborn,

Bethany came home from school yesterday and reluctantly told me that the school now has a guinea pig as a companion for the rabbit.
I am concerned about this and enclose some information, which I wish yourself and other members of staff to read as a matter of utmost interest.
I was as you know already concerned about the school educating the children about responsible pet ownership, that is one of the many reasons why I urged you to take the children to the local R.S.P.C.A. or local rescue to get a pet.
I also do know that they are certainly the best places to go to get correct advice.
Unfortunately many pet shops, animal farm parks and local breeders of guinea pigs and or rabbits do not/will not advise people against housing rabbits guinea pigs together, they also do not ask questions or do pre home checks.
Where as a rescue would definitely give the correct advice.

You will note from the information I have enclosed that the R.S.P.C.A. advise in the Animal Welfare Act that “For any need to be housed with or apart from, other animals†This is saying in not so many words that animals should be housed with their own kind and not with other species.
I also do know that the local R.S.P.C.A will not rehome guinea pigs unless they are in pairs and they certainly do not rehome rabbits/guinea pigs to live together.
Recently large pet stores such as Pets at Home have stopped housing rabbits and guinea pigs together due to a campaign against it.

My main areas for concern are:

The school is a place where the children go to be educated and I am very concerned that the children will now think that it is acceptable for a rabbit and guinea pig to live together. They may even go home to their parents and wish to have a rabbit and guinea pig of their own as companions. I hope you will agree once reading the enclosed information that this is giving them the wrong message and as a professional and responsible individual I can only hope that you will take it upon yourself to educate the children otherwise.

Housing a guinea pig and rabbit together can result in the unnecessary illness of a guinea pig due to the diseases rabbits carry and even the death of the guinea pig as a result of this or from an injury caused by a rabbit kicking or trampling on it intentionally or unintentionally.
And also the long term damage to the rabbit and the guinea pigs health by not giving them their very different diets.

Just to add one more point that really upset me and I feel that I ought to bring this to your attention.
Bethany is on the school council and when the children were debating about where to get the rabbit from Bethany told me that one of the children said that the rabbits at Rand Farm would be cuter than the ones at a rescue.
This really got to me and to Bethany. I do not know if the teacher corrected the child about this.
Bethany was really worried yesterday when she told me that the school had got a guinea pig to live with the rabbit. I don’t think that the school should be wishing the children to go home and worry.
Bethany has been educated about animal rescue and like myself she would always choose to do so and I know that I have brought her up with some good values and beliefs.
As you know I reluctantly allowed her to join the other children in choosing the rabbit on the trip to Rand Farm.
If it had been our choice personally we would have gone to a rescue to adopt.
Bethany also told me that Rand Farm staff advised that it would be ok to house a rabbit and a guinea pig together just as long as they are rubbed together? To get each other’s smell.
I find that totally unacceptable information to give to children of a young age and will be writing to them separately about this.

I also know of another parent who owns guinea pigs has the same concerns as I do about the rabbit and guinea pig being housed together and I am sure that many other parents given the correct information would be concerned also.

I do hope that you consider all that I have said, I am deeply disappointed with the school about this and I do hope that you take on board the effect that it could have on the animals and on the children.
Yours sincerely


Mrs Runciman
 
[colorr][siz5]BAV 0 0 0 0 0[/siz]

Bautifully put lov, you wr informativ an you pla to thir cncy.... lt's hop th man listns to you now.
Is it possibl for you to ask th othr parnt who's also concrn to writ to th principal as wll....two bing bttr than on if you know what i man 0

It's totally unaccptabl for your aughtr Bthany to b sooo worri about this situation, sh os not n any strss lik this, yar 6 is a big yar an gtting thm ray for high school / sconary ucation.
You'r a wonrful mum an a brilliant lttr writr :smittn: :smittn: :smittn: :smittn: :smittn: :smittn: :smittn: :smittn:
Han it to him with your nicst smil (manwhil sticking aggrs into his back >:D)
 
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Thanks Glynis :) You do make me smile :) Infact you have cheered me up no end, I was feeling really down :( I think the idea of the other parent writing is a good idea, it is one of Bethnay's best friends mother who has two piggies, she was talking to me at the weekend saying that her daughter had heard that the school were thinking of getting a piggy.
I think the letter may be enough to get the Headmaster to sort this out, I hope so :-\
If it dosen't change their views I could always send a copy to the Head of governors and the education department >:D
I would really like to tell him what I think though >:D but it wouldn't be very polite >:( >:D
 
here's some (((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))) too and piggies kisses from Dukey :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*

Go for it.......if the principal does not listen to this reasonable request, you've not demanded you've asked politely, i would O0
Stay positive sweetie :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
Keep us posted, i'll be checking this out a lot later today to see if you've had a reply, just a thought could you offer to take the piggie or lend them a cage ?

sorry been busy on the phone today so hadn't got back to see what you'd written :embarassed: :embarassed: :embarassed: :embarassed: :embarassed:
 
I know that they have a spare hutch so i'm sure the piggy could be moved straight away if they want to move him/her :-\ Then the poor little piggy will be on its own - which is another issue ::) which isn't ideal but at least better than with the bunny O0 Then they will have to consider what to do with regards to the bunny and the piggy - I wish they had thought this through properly then they wouldn't be in this situation, I tried to tell them from the start but they obviously didn't have the same values as me :(
I hope they learn from this :-\
 
Send a copy to the governors anyway - make sure it is sent to the head of governors and if you know a parent governor, ask them to raise it at the next meeting.

A good letter - well done, let us know the outcome!

Carrie x
 
Well - I've handed the headmaster the letter and info in a large brown envelope and asked him to ring me when he's read it.
I feel a bit nervous and anxious about how he will react about it but I know I have done the right thing - Put it this way I'd feel a lot worse not doing anything.
 
Well done! Your letter was very good and informative. Hopefully the school will take on board your comments and do something about it. O0
 
well if the principal doesn't listen to you i would go to the rspca with your cocerns and ask them to give a talk or at least look into the situation. great letter by the way, could read between the lines and there was a lot of tongue biting by you as there would have by me too. perhaps you could break into the school and bunny or piggy nap one of them? good luck with it, lets hope the principal sees sense and finds a good home for one of them and gets the remaining one a friend of its own kind. well done to you again and to your daughter. O0 :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
Just had a phonecall from the headmaster who waffled on for about 10 minutes explaining how the guinea pig had come about and basically feeding me a load of b*** s***.
I was really strong and stuck to my opinions and the facts, he said he wasn't going to make a decision untill he had spoken to all concerned.
I said that I wouldn't be letting the matter drop :tickedoff:
You know when someone waffles to you for ages and afterwards you think "what a load of rubbish and excuses and then you realise that you haven't been given the response you were after" :tickedoff:
He kept saying that well they seem ok together and they have an appt at the vets next week and hopefully they will advise us.
I said that they ought to contact the R.S.P.C.A. and ask for an education officer to pay the school a visit who will likely tell them what I've already told them.
I reitterated all the info to him again over and over again it was like he didn't really see it as a problem :tickedoff:
So I have contacted the R.S.P.C.A myself and if they don't do something in the next couple of days an inspector is going to pay them a visit :)
And cos I'm really P***** about this I have rang the local education department and I'm waiting for someone to phone me back.
I knew he would have a laid back attitude about this.
Apparently one of the teachers had rang the R.S.P.C.A. and enquired about a rescue animal - apparently they weren't suitable ::)
Watch this space cos I'm gonna get something done about this :tickedoff:
 
well done to you O0 give it to him with both barrells. stupid man just cause he is principal doesn't mean he can't take advice from other people :tickedoff: :tickedoff: and why in the :tickedoff: wasn't a rescue animal suitable? i don't think he knows what he is on about. sending you hugs and good vibes and hoping something gets done soon. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: good on you for sticking to your guns and for standing up for what you believe in. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: you're a wonderful example to your daughter. perhaps as a last resort you could try your local paper with the story. you never know. good for you. O0
 
choloe said:
well done to you O0 give it to him with both barrells. stupid man just cause he is principal doesn't mean he can't take advice from other people :tickedoff: :tickedoff: and why in the :tickedoff: wasn't a rescue animal suitable? i don't think he knows what he is on about. sending you hugs and good vibes and hoping something gets done soon. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: good on you for sticking to your guns and for standing up for what you believe in. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: you're a wonderful example to your daughter. perhaps as a last resort you could try your local paper with the story. you never know. good for you. O0
Click to expand...

I thought it meant the rescue said the school was not suitable to rehome a piggy to - which I do actually tend to agree with.
 
Well done, good on you for taking a stand. It's this kind of attutude and ignorance that lead to people to think certain things are acceptable. The head sounds like he's really not that bothered or interested and it sounds lilke he needs reminding that he and his school are responsible for spreading innacurate and dangerous messages with their actions or lack of. I think getting other parents who feel as strongly as you do to all contact the school, governors etc and make your feelings heard is an excellent idea. You have a right to take action. We are right behind you! Maybe once you inform him you are going to the RSPCA and govs he may take a little more notice... >:D

You are a prroviding a great inspiration and example for your kids (unlike their teacher)! O0
 
i'm absolutely livid :tickedoff: :tickedoff: :tickedoff: :tickedoff: you had this second sense that this ******** erm i think he's called a principal YEAH RIGHT 98) 98) 98) 98)

Let us help you love, we can petition on your behalf or the Piggies and Buns behalf :smitten: :smitten: they don't need to be treated this way :tickedoff: :tickedoff: :tickedoff: :tickedoff: :tickedoff: :tickedoff:

somehow we have to get the RSPCA to help PRONTOOOOOOO O0 O0 O0

Anybody got any other suggestions other than TV, Radio etc..... ?

loves again to you love you're doing brill :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
Well done you

Sorry we werent around for you when you wrote your letter but we are all behind you now. You have responded fantastically.

Schools should not have small pets. End of discussion. The RSPCA were absolutely right to say no.

I cant wait to hear about the Headmasters face when he gets a visit from the inspector
 
Black Jack said:
choloe said:
well done to you O0 give it to him with both barrells. stupid man just cause he is principal doesn't mean he can't take advice from other people :tickedoff: :tickedoff: and why in the :tickedoff: wasn't a rescue animal suitable? i don't think he knows what he is on about. sending you hugs and good vibes and hoping something gets done soon. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: good on you for sticking to your guns and for standing up for what you believe in. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: you're a wonderful example to your daughter. perhaps as a last resort you could try your local paper with the story. you never know. good for you. O0
Click to expand...

I thought it meant the rescue said the school was not suitable to rehome a piggy to - which I do actually tend to agree with.
Click to expand...

If I remember correctly, Tattyruncy put up a thread a while back saying how unhappy she was that the school were getting pets at all, and if they are going to get a piggie, to get a rescue one? For what it's worth I agree with you, I don't agree with animals in schools either.

Edited to add - perhaps it's worth informing the shop where they advised the guinea and rabbit being housed together that you and others are taking it further and are disgusted at the advice given to the school?
 
Hi there, thanks for all your responses.
I have written to Rand Farm and told them just how innappropriate their advice was to the school children and have advised them that they need to look at educating themselves first before they start giving out false information.
I'm due to pick Bethany up at 3.30pm no doubt the head will act like nothings happenend. I'm gonna try and sneak a look at the piggy and rabbit :)
I still haven't had a call from the education department yet :-\
When I spoke to a local Bunny rescue a while ago they said they would not rehome to a school O0 Which I can't say I blame them.
I know the R.S.P.C.A said they would consider re-homing to the school. My guess is that nobody probably phoned the R.S.P.C.A and that they are just saying so to keep me sweet :tickedoff:
 
God knows whats going on now ?
None of the teachers approached me in the playground.
Bethany asked after the guinea pig at her school council meeting today and expressed some of her concerns and was told don't worry the rabbits going to the vets next week for its vaccinations ? Whats that got to do with the situation then ? I think they must think my daughters clueless like me :tickedoff:
Bethany said that she was confused about what was going on despite telling the teacher about the problems with guinea pigs and rabbits.
I get the feeling nobody is saying much - maybe the headmaster has spoken to all the staff and they are debating about what to do ?
I hope so.
The lady at the education department is apparently ringing back tomorrow.
I have asked Bethany to check tomorrow whether the guinea pig is still in with the bunny O0
 
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