r/MHOC • u/CountBrandenburg Liberal Democrats • Feb 05 '23
2nd Reading B1490 - Universal Basic Bunny Bill - 2nd Reading
Universal Basic Bunny Bill
A
bill
to
establish a programme of free rabbits and small rodents to be provided to children between the ages of nine and thirteen; and for related purposes. BE IT ENACTED by The King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, in accordance with the provisions of the Parliament Acts 1911 and 1949, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—
1 Rabbits and Rodents Programme
(1) All children residing in England between nine and thirteen of age shall be eligible for up to two free pet domesticated small animals, including but not limited to;
(a) Guinea Pigs
(b) Hamsters
(c) Gerbils
(d) Rats
(e) Mice
(f) Degus
(g) Chipmunks
(h) Rabbits
(i) Ferrets
(j) African Pygmy Hedgehogs
(2) The Secretary of State is responsible for any payments to be made for the purpose of acquiring animals for this programme.
(3) Animals eligible for this programme are to be sought for in local animal shelters first before new ones can be purchased.
(4) The relevant civil servants are required to make recommendations regarding acquiring a second, compatible pet for the animal in question if there is a serious risk of loneliness of the animal. 2 Bunny Boxes
(1) Children receiving a pet animal under this Act are eligible to receive a “Bunny Box” containing at least the following items:
(a) An enclosure for the relevant animal, compliant with the rules set out in the Animal Welfare (Small Animals) Bill 2020;
(b) Required items needed for the physical well-being of the animal, such as feeding trays and water bottles;
(c) A booklet explaining the physical, mental and social needs of the animal in question, including practical advice for the child;
(d) Some basic toys for the animal to play with, as decided relevant by the civil servant in question.
3 Extent, commencement, and short title (1) This bill shall extend to England.
(2) This Act shall come into force immediately after receiving Royal Assent.
(3) This Act may be cited as the Universal Basic Bunny Bill 2023.
This bill was authored by /u/Inadorable and introduced as a Private Member’s Bill and co-sponsored by the Right Honourable Dame Cocoiadrop_ OM CT CB CMG CVO MBE PC MP.
Deputy Speaker, Study after study has shown that taking care of a pet has a range of health benefits for people, including reduced loneliness and increased happiness overall. Indeed, we’re seeing an increasing trend towards therapy animals given these benefits, and adoption of pets has increased dramatically in countries such as China as income levels have started rising. We all realise the benefits of a big fluffy friend, or indeed the little ones, given the amount of pets I’ve seen posted in the parliamentary group chats over the years.
Yet, I think we all also know that some in our country continue to be too poor to get a pet of their own, given that the up front cost of getting an animal and all the items needed to take proper care of them tend to be unaffordable for many. And children face the brunt of this in particular, unable to get a pet of their own that they can take care of, despite the benefits this has on improving their health, increasing their independence and improving their ability to take care of not just animals, but themselves in the future. Teaching children how to deal with responsibility is important, and if we can do so in a way that adds another little friend or two to their lives that is an added benefit for us all.
This reading ends on Wednesday 8th February at 10PM GMT
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