Search Results for: Rabbits
What Our Statistics Tell Us About the Easter Bunny
With Easter approaching, some of our colleagues in the humane movement are reminding their communities that adopting a rabbit at Easter is a terrible idea. Some imply that thousands of bunnies die every year because children tire of the rabbit quickly and they end up in shelters, euthanized for lack of homes. This may happen in some communities, and reminding people to be responsible when it comes to bringing any pet into their homes is always a good thing. But as is so often the case in animal welfare, myth sometimes beats out fact, rigid thinking can be counterproductive, and reality is not the same from community to community.
So, what is the story in our community?
Last year, the OHS cared for 208 domestic rabbits. Of these, close to 40 per cent were surrendered by their families. Another 36 per cent were stray and 23 per cent were transferred to the OHS from other humane societies and groups. The busiest months for surrender of bunnies are August and September. In contrast, for dogs and cats, the months for highest owner surrenders are May and June.
So what does this tell us about the problem of rabbits given at Easter? The fact that the highest surrender months — at about double the average month — are about six months after Easter means there likely is an issue. But the number surrendered in those two months totals only 26. So it’s a problem, but likely not a big problem. These numbers of rabbits coming into our care are relatively manageable and we have discovered that there are good homes for bunnies if we sterilize them before adoption.
Like adopting cats and dogs at Christmas, we have changed our thinking about adopting rabbits at Easter. No, we don’t think giving children at pet rabbit just because it is Easter is a good idea. But, if someone has done their research, concluded that a rabbit would be a good pet for their family, and is willing to meet all of the rabbit’s needs, then why not adopt at Easter? All of the normal adoption procedures apply, no matter what time of year. Easter may be an impetus for a family to start their research on bunnies as pets. For a lot of lucky people, it is a three — or even four-day weekend. That’s free time for families to integrate a pet into their home. In fact, it may be the best time for many to adopt a rabbit — or a cat or dog for that matter.
So, bunnies at Easter in our community? It’s a good opportunity to remind ourselves to adopt only if we are prepared to make a commitment to any animal’s needs for its lifetime. But it’s also a time to find forever homes for pets, including the bunnies.
For more information about rabbits and their care, please visit our website.
Bruce Roney
Executive Director
2024 Media Releases
New OHS Program Gives Homeless Rabbits Second Chances with Teens (March 27, 2024)
Ottawa Humane Society Launches Lottery to Support the Animals (Feb. 16, 2024)
Unseasonable Surge of Pets and Slow Adoption Rate Rock Ottawa Humane Society (Feb. 9, 2024)
Fall in Love at the Ottawa Humane Society (Feb. 7, 2024)
Ottawa Humane Society Seeking New Board Members (Feb. 2, 2024)
Helping Pet Owners Handle Post-Pandemic Anxiety — Ottawa Humane Society (Jan. 29, 2024)
Ottawa Humane Society Urges Pet Owners to Take Caution During Cold Snap (Jan. 16, 2024)
Wildlife Babies
If you find a sick or injured wild animal, here are the steps you can take. If you need more help, call the City of Ottawa at 311.
For large wildlife, such as deer, moose and bear, please call Ottawa Police Services at 613-236-1222.
Just because a baby animal is alone, does not necessarily mean they are an orphan. Many wildlife parents leave their young alone during the day, sometimes for long periods. The mother is usually nearby. Also, keep in mind that despite their small size, many young animals are actually independent enough to fend for themselves.
How can you tell if an animal needs your help or should be left alone? If an animal needs your help, you will see one or more of the following signs:
- A wild animal presented to you by a cat or dog;
- Bleeding;
- An apparent or obvious broken limb;
- Shivering or coldness to the touch;
- Evidence of a dead parent nearby;
- Unusual or uneven loss of fur;
- Difficult or raspy breathing or sneezing; and,
- Body covered in fleas.
Is the Juvenile or Baby Animal Really an Orphan?
Juvenile or Baby Deer or Moose
Juvenile or Baby Foxes
Juvenile or Baby Rabbits
Juvenile or Baby Raccoons
Juvenile or Baby Skunks
Juvenile or Baby Squirrels
Small Animal Enrichment Volunteer Rabbit and Guinea Pig
Not currently recruiting.
This program unites volunteers with rabbits and guinea pigs residing at the shelter. Volunteers provide enrichment and socialization to rabbits and guinea pigs through activities that promote their well-being including: foraging, playing, exercising, digging, problem solving and one-on-one quality time, such as petting, feeding and grooming.
Through the small animal enrichment volunteer program, we:
- Provide enrichment and socialization once a day;
- Improve the quality of life for the rabbits and guinea pigs in our care by providing mental stimulation through time outside of their cage and enrichment activities;
- Provide the opportunity for socialization through human interaction.
Small Animal Enrichment Volunteer Requirements:
- Volunteers must be over 18 years of age
- Familiarity with rabbits and guinea pigs
- Experience handling small animals
- Ability to carry up to 20 lbs
- Ability to follow strict instruction
- Ability to adhere to all sanitation practices to safeguard animal health
- Ability to work with minimal supervision once trained
- Volunteers are required to make at least a three-hour, weekly commitment over a period of at least one year
2021 Media Releases
Abandoned Dog Needs Life-saving Surgery (Dec. 16, 2021)
Ottawa Humane Society Warns Against Cold Weather Dangers to Pets (Dec. 9, 2021)
Ottawa Humane Society and Ottawa Food Bank Partner to Feed Ottawa’s Pets (Oct. 21, 2021)
Ottawa’s Animals Need Foster Volunteers (Oct. 7, 2021)
Ottawa’s Rabbit Crisis (Sept. 23, 2021)
Donations to Ottawa Humane Society Tripled Until Sept. 15 (Sept. 13, 2021)
Ottawa Humane Society Cancels Annual Wiggle Waggle Walk and Run, Shifts To Online Fundraising (Aug. 17, 2021)
Rising Temperatures Pose a Danger to Pets (August 9, 2021)
Sunny the Puppy Needs Your Help (July 26, 2021)
Foster Volunteers Needed at Ottawa Humane Society (July 22, 2021)
Celebrations for Reopening and Canada Day Pose Serious Risk to Pets (June 30, 2021)
Wild Animal Responsible for West End Cat Killings — New Police Evidence Shows (June 24, 2021)
Puppy Thrown from Car Window Lands in OHS Care (June 24, 2021)
More Deceased Cats Ignite Further Concerns (June 18, 2021)
New Organization Emerges to Champion Animal Welfare across Ontario (June 17, 2021)
OHS Relaunches Online “Catch the Ace” Raffle (June 16, 2021)
Ottawa Humane Society Offers Cash Reward to Bring West End Cat Killer to Justice (June 16, 2021)
Mother Cat Found Alone, Injured and Fending for Three Kittens (June 3, 2021)
Increased Danger to Pets Left in Cars as Temperatures Rise (May 19, 2021)
Ottawa Humane Society Launches Catch the Ace Raffle to Support the Animals (May 12, 2021)
Ottawa Humane Society Achieves Prestigious Accreditation by Humane Canada (Apr. 22, 2021)
Fatal Falls and Thin Ice, Ottawa Humane Society Warns of Spring Dangers for Pets (Mar. 30, 2021)
Ottawa Humane Society Launches Lottery to Support the Animals (Mar. 17, 2021)
Cat Found Frozen and Near-death Rushed to Ottawa Humane Society (Feb. 23, 2021)
Keeping Pets Safe During Cold Weather (Feb. 12, 2021)
Ottawa Humane Society Helps Thousands of Animals Through Partner Support (Jan. 28, 2021)
Emaciated Dog with Chain Collar Embedded in Neck Finds Shelter at Ottawa Humane Society (Jan. 21, 2021)
FAQs
If you are unable to find the answer to your question, please send us an email at info@ottawahumane.ca.
The End of Chemical Testing on Animals
Animal welfare in Canada took a huge step forward this week. Bill S-5 passed the Senate, amending the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and creating a clear path for Canada to phase out the cruel and unnecessary practice of chemical testing on animals.
More than 40 countries worldwide have already banned chemical testing on animals, and Canada is committed to joining their ranks.
Cosmetic products tested on animals can range from makeup, perfume, lotions, hair products, nail polish, shaving creams, deodorant and more. Millions of rabbits, rats, guinea pigs and mice in Canada are subject to this cruelty every year — often causing the animals extreme distress, discomfort and pain.
Alternatives to animal testing are already available and in use, and Canada’s plan will involve prioritizing these alternatives and their wide-spread application.
Make no mistake, this is a victory for animals, but I’m only letting myself be cautiously optimistic. Plans are good and key in affecting change, however drafting the plan is often the first step — the follow through is just as important.
We deserve a moment to celebrate this momentous occasion, and the animals need us to maintain our fervor. I hope you’ll join me in closely following the plan for phasing out chemical testing on animals and continue to be an incredible advocate for those in need.
Your voice is making a difference, and right now is the perfect opportunity to push harder than ever before for the animals.
Sharon Miko
President & CEO
Catching Up on Life-Changing Work
Last week, to celebrate World Spay Day, I had the honour of helping to provide spay/neuter surgeries to animals in the care of local rescue groups. Thanks to the incredible support from our community, at the OHS clinic, we spayed/neutered 34 cats, 3 dogs and 5 rabbits in need.
On top of the success of World Spay Day, I’m pleased to say the OHS has relaunched subsidized spay/neuter services for cats of low-income pet owners. We will start by working through a waitlist for the OHS Mobile Spay/Neuter Service that has been growing since the pandemic began.
By the end of March, we expect to spay/neuter up to 32 cats in need right here at our accredited veterinary clinic. In the spring, we are planning to roll out the Mobile Spay/Neuter Service into the community.
Spay/neuter is a crucial service for our pets as a pet that is spayed/neutered will usually live a longer, healthier life. Spaying/neutering your pet can also address common behaviour issues and make your pet less likely to roam.
Perhaps most important of all, spaying/neutering helps prevent pet overpopulation — reducing the number of homeless, unwanted animals in our community. This month is just the start of bringing back spay/neuter services to pet owners who need them most. We’ve got a lot of work to do to catch up with demand, but we look forward to resuming this service for a community in need.
Dr. Shelley Hutchings
OHS Chief Veterinarian