Rescue of 68 rabbits adds to high number for adoption

Adoption event to be held Sunday, December 13

In late November, a humane agent from Animal Humane Society (AHS) was called by another humane agency to address a complaint of 80 rabbits being kept in poor and unsanitary conditions on a hobby breeder property south of Monticello. The owners were no longer able to care for the number of rabbits they had bred and released 68 into the care of AHS on November 24, 2009.

“We’re often called into cases where breeders can no longer handle the population of animals on their property,” said Kathie Johnson, director of veterinary services at Animal Humane Society. “We then take in a high number of them, provide any necessary treatments needed as a result of their living conditions and do what we can to get them into homes. But adding 68 rabbits to an already full rabbit population this time of year is an incredible task.”

View rabbits currently available for adoption

AHS currently has 71 rabbits on its adoption floors and in holding areas at its five facilities. The organization typically experiences an increase in rabbit surrenders this time of year. The temperatures drop and families often make the decision to surrender their rabbit instead of housing it indoors. AHS is now working with long-time partner Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society (MCRS) to rehome 65 of the 68 rabbits.

Upon examination the rabbits were found to be in fairly good health but suffering from upper respiratory infections. Each is receiving treatment and will receive any necessary vaccinations, microchips and spay/neuter surgery at AHS before being transferred to MCRS.

Rabbit adoption event
Many of the rabbits will be available for adoption during a rabbit adoption event being held at AHS’s Golden Valley facility on Sunday, December 13 from 12–4 p.m. MCRS volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about living with and caring for a rabbit.

Rabbits are the third most common companion animal available for adoption at AHS and make great first pets for older kids.

See our archive of news items...