Richmond News Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Bunnies Need New Homes
Richmond like a giant “bunny park “

BC Small Animal Rescue Society is looking for homes for 20 rabbits given to them by an overcrowded local shelter.

The bunnies may have been euthanized if more were surrendered.

“Everywhere in Richmond seems to be a bunny park, “marvels SARS’ Lisa Hutcheon, whose organization is also trying to place another dozen rabbits from other Lower Mainland shelters.

“Right now there’s just an overpopulation of bunnies.”

Hutcheon isn’t pleased about trying to find so many homes for pet rabbits over Christmas, running the risk that some may end up as unwanted and later abandoned Christmas gifts.

But the society does its best to find appropriate homes by screening prospective owners and visiting their homes.

Rabbits are not suitable pets for children, says Hutcheon, as kids tend to handle them too roughly, prompting the rabbits – prey animals- to react in a defensive manner. Children get scratched and the rabbit gets dropped, possibly injured and labeled aggressive.

Hutcheon took in a rabbit with a broken leg just last week. It had been dropped by a two- year – old child who had owned it.

On the other hand, says Hutcheon, rabbits are an ideal pet for working couples in apartments. Rabbits live indoors, use a litterbox, and are most active at dawn and dusk, when the owners are normally home. They sleep the rest of the time.

Hutcheon stresses that bunnies can live 10 or 12 years, so adopting one takes a real commitment.

Anyone interested in getting a pet rabbit to adopt or foster can call Hutcheon at 604-438–4366 or visit www.smallanimalrescue.org. Cost is $50 and the rabbit comes spayed or neutered.

The organization also needs homes for Guinea pigs, hamsters, rats and degus.