So what makes a breeder, rescue, shelter or owner ethical? This is a topic often debated, but rarely analyzed. I'd like to shed a little light on what I think ethical means when used in the rabbit world.
I prefer not to use the terms 'responsible breeder/rescue', because I feel that phrase has many different definitions amongst different communities. Everybody has a different opinion on what responsible means. However, the most widely accepted meaning of 'responsible' tends to pertain to what is considered 'responsible' for dog breeders. It is my opinion that what should be considered responsible in rabbits is vastly different than that which should be considered responsible in the dog world.
As defined by Dictionary.com, the relevant definitions of 'responsible' are as follows:
1. Answerable or accountable, as for something within one's power, control, or management.
2. Involving accountability or responsibility, as in having the power to control or manage
3. Chargeable with being the author, cause, or occasion of something (usually followed by for)
So what do these definitions have in common? They are alike in that they emphasize accountability for decisions. While these definitions are fair and justifiable, the real question is, what exactly defines these decisions, and who decides whether they are good or bad? This is pretty vague, so there is a lot of room for interpretation, in my opinion.
As defined by Dictionary.com, the word 'ethical' has two relevant connotations:
1. Pertaining to or dealing with morals or the principles of morality; pertaining to right and wrong in conduct.
2. Being in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct or practice, especially the standards of a profession.
So the definition of ethical seems to be following the moral code, and to comply with the standards of a profession.
Some of the greatest minds in history have studied ethics - but nobody cares about the term 'responsible'. Responsibility is left to interpretation by the onlooker.
For example: A neighbor looks on in disapproval as a dog owner lets their Husky outside in the freezing cold. To the neighbor, the dog owner is irresponsible for letting their dog outside. To the neighbor, dogs should be kept inside, so therefore, in their mind it is irresponsible of the owner to let the dog outside. . It is ethical to provide for an animal's specific needs.
.
I prefer not to use the terms 'responsible breeder/rescue', because I feel that phrase has many different definitions amongst different communities. Everybody has a different opinion on what responsible means. However, the most widely accepted meaning of 'responsible' tends to pertain to what is considered 'responsible' for dog breeders. It is my opinion that what should be considered responsible in rabbits is vastly different than that which should be considered responsible in the dog world.
As defined by Dictionary.com, the relevant definitions of 'responsible' are as follows:
1. Answerable or accountable, as for something within one's power, control, or management.
2. Involving accountability or responsibility, as in having the power to control or manage
3. Chargeable with being the author, cause, or occasion of something (usually followed by for)
So what do these definitions have in common? They are alike in that they emphasize accountability for decisions. While these definitions are fair and justifiable, the real question is, what exactly defines these decisions, and who decides whether they are good or bad? This is pretty vague, so there is a lot of room for interpretation, in my opinion.
As defined by Dictionary.com, the word 'ethical' has two relevant connotations:
1. Pertaining to or dealing with morals or the principles of morality; pertaining to right and wrong in conduct.
2. Being in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct or practice, especially the standards of a profession.
So the definition of ethical seems to be following the moral code, and to comply with the standards of a profession.
Some of the greatest minds in history have studied ethics - but nobody cares about the term 'responsible'. Responsibility is left to interpretation by the onlooker.
For example: A neighbor looks on in disapproval as a dog owner lets their Husky outside in the freezing cold. To the neighbor, the dog owner is irresponsible for letting their dog outside. To the neighbor, dogs should be kept inside, so therefore, in their mind it is irresponsible of the owner to let the dog outside. . It is ethical to provide for an animal's specific needs.
.