Images: RSPCA South Australia
Easter is just around the corner, and sadly too many little bunnies are without a home.
RSPCA South Australia is dealing with a bevy of bunnies following two significant cases in which a total of 108 were either seized by RSPCA inspectors or surrendered.
While some have found new homes, a record number of 102 rabbits remain in RSPCA SA’s care. Thirty are at the organisation’s Lonsdale shelter, a 400% increase on the number that were at the shelter this time last year.
The overload has resulted in rabbits being housed in spaces beyond their usual area, including staff offices and the volunteers’ meeting room.
The remaining 72 rabbits live in the homes of RSPCA foster carers. That figure represents a massive 630% increase in the number in foster care at this time last year.
The seized rabbits lived in poor conditions, while the surrendered animals came from an owner who had become overwhelmed by the numbers due to indiscriminate breeding.
RSPCA SA’s Community Animal Care Manager, Sarah Dudley, said the two sudden and large intakes had resulted in overcrowding at the Lonsdale shelter and a backlog of fostered rabbits.
“It’s a domino effect because we’re unable to bring these rabbits to the Lonsdale shelter to be desexed and put up for adoption due to lack of space,” Ms Dudley said.
She urged rabbit owners to get their animals desexed because rabbits breed… well… like rabbits.
“Rabbits often have litters of 8 to 10, and they have a short gestation period of just 32 days, so if they are not desexed, then the situation can very quickly get out of control,” Ms Dudley said.
“Desexing is the immediate solution, but what we need right now is good homes for these animals – they make excellent pets, can be house-trained and are as interactive in their unique ways as dogs and cats.
Aside from being available to adopt from the RSPCA Lonsdale shelter, RSPCA rabbits are available to adopt from PETstock at Mount Barker. Unsurprisingly, like all RSPCA animals available for adoption, all rabbits will have had the snip before moving to their new home.
Give these little bunnies a chance at love and adopt one into your family. The Easter break gives you and your family precious time to bond with the furry new member.
Find more information here.
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