Over 300 rabbits seized from rabbit farm
Simcoe County, ON (CA)Incident Date: Thursday, Mar 13, 2008
Disposition: Alleged
Abuser names unreleased
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
More than 300 rabbits were rescued from "deplorable conditions" at a rabbit farm in Simcoe County, the Ontario Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) said yesterday.
The rabbits were taken after a complaint was received, but the OSPCA won't say where because the case is still under investigation and charges have not yet been laid.
"It's still a sensitive issue because we are still reviewing the evidence," said Kris- tin Williams, spokesperson for the OSPCA based in Newmarket. "We take these matters very seriously."
Yesterday, the doors of the Barrie shelter, where most of the rabbits were taken, opened late because workers were swamped by the barrage of bunnies.
"They are keeping us busy," Barrie OSPCA branch manager Alisa Sears said as she cuddled one of the baby rabbits.
Most of the animals were female and many of them were already pregnant, even though they were nursing litters.
Dozens of rabbits were also sent to area shelters and foster homes throughout the GTA region.
"Many of them were filthy and sick," said Haviva Lush, manager of Milton-based Rabbit Rescue Inc., which assisted with with some of the sick rabbits.
Many of the rabbits will be available for adoption later this week.
Case UpdatesAbout 300 rabbits are now ready for adoption after they were rescued from deplorable conditions at an area meat farm, animal shelter officials said yesterday.
"We are happy to say that none of these little fellas will be sold for meat," said Barrie OSPCA animal care co-ordinator, Amanda Smith yesterday as she nuzzled a little white puff with a pink nose.
Charges of animal cruelty are still pending while the investigation continues after the rabbits were taken in from a farm in Simcoe County last week. Since then, the bunnies have been distributed to animal shelters across Ontario, and are ready to go to loving homes for about $10 each.
But Smith asks potential owners to think twice and make a plan before you bring that cute little ball of fluff home.
"I hate to say it, but rabbits are our No. 1 throw-away pet," Smith said.
"We find that about eight months after Easter, we get an influx of pet rabbits because the kid who got one for Easter is bored with it and doesn't love it anymore."
While rabbits are easy to care for and can easily be litter trained, parents must realize they are taking on a five- to eight-year commitment when they allow their child to bring home a rabbit.
"Please don't throw Thumper in the basement and forget about him," she said. "And please don't let Thumper go in the wild if you don't want him anymore . . . that's like putting a McDonald's sign out for Mr. Coyote."
With a little care and effort, rabbits can become wonderful pets that can roam free around the house, Smith says. | Source: The Barrie Examiner - March 21, 2008
Update posted on Mar 22, 2008 - 1:21AM |
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