Rabbit Crisis Ramps Up at Humane Society
July 19, 2024 — The Ottawa Humane Society is bursting with bunnies as close to 40 rabbits are available for adoption. In an effort find more homes for these hoppy friends, the OHS has declared July 21 to 27 “Rabbit Week” and is offering special promotions to people who adopt during the event.
“Incredibly, the number of rabbits available for adoption is still rising year-over-year,” said Stephen Smith, OHS senior manager: marketing & communications. “For the past three years, we’ve been up to our ears in bunnies.”
To help address the rabbit crisis, Rabbit Week has become an annual event at the OHS. Last year, 30 rabbits were available for adoption during the special week.
Smith noted that there are some rabbits who have spent their entire life at the OHS. “Willy and Newt were born at the OHS and have been here for more than a year. Our goal is to find them and many more rabbits their forever homes this week.”
The proliferation of rabbits is likely owed to online sellers offering unsterilized pets to unsuspecting buyers. Sellers may also be dumping their bunnies outdoors if they are not able to offload them quickly enough.
“A few weeks ago, a rabbit was brought to the OHS after she was found on the side of the road in a garbage bag,” said Smith. “Not only was she abandoned, but she was pregnant and gave birth to eight rabbits in the home of one of our foster volunteers.”
The OHS says that rabbits are excellent pets. They are smart, social and are comfortable in homes of all sizes. They can roam your home freely and can learn how to use a litter box.
From July 21 to 27, adopting a rabbit from the OHS has additional perks. Adopters will receive:
- A 20% discount on their adoption fee;
- A Free bag of hay;
- A Farm Boy gift card to provide the first week of fresh veggies for their new rabbit;
- Free access to the OHS’s new rabbit care webinar; and,
- A new best friend.
Rabbits adopted from the OHS also are spayed/neutered; an essential procedure that could cost a family hundreds of dollars.
Anyone interested in adding a beautiful bunny — or two as the OHS recommends (rabbits love to have a friend) — can find their new best friend on the OHS’s website.
Media Contact
Ottawa Humane Society
Stephen Smith, Senior Manager: Marketing & Communications
stephens@ottawahumane.ca
www.ottawahumane.ca