Windsor-Essex hopping with rabbits as shelter numbers multiply
An influx of domestic rabbits has made its way to the Windsor-Essex County Humane Society, where staff say the number of intakes has doubled since last year.
So far in 2021, there have been 275 rabbits. Thirteen this week. Officials say it’s part of a “bunny crisis” that’s sweeping, (or hopping) across Ontario.
“We’re not really sure what the reason is,” says executive director Melanie Coulter.
“There is a suspicion that maybe they are the pandemic pets that people could get their hands on when they couldn’t get dogs, but, that is just a theory.”
Coulter says they’ve searched for room at other shelters in the province, including some in Michigan with no luck.
“Shelters and rescues have just been flooded with rabbits this year,” she says.
Rabbit available for adoption at the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society in Windsor, Ont. on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2021. (Chris Campbell/CTV Windsor)
Coulter says the humane society has rabbits available for adoption, noting all are spayed or neutered.
“I think the rabbits are really challenging because they are complicated to spay or neuter,” she says. “Their surgeries are risky, so it is harder to get that done.”
Coulter tells CTV News there have been a few instances when more than a dozen rabbits would be surrendered from one home, noting the small animals are known to multiply quickly.
“They want that time out of their kennel, they want to have that interaction,” she says. “They do have special care needs, so they can be great pets, but, we definitely want to make sure that people who want to adopt, or bring in a rabbit know what they’re getting into.”
The adoption fee is $50 and Coulter says there’s a deal happening now that allows two for the price of one.
“A lot of people get a rabbit and they think of them as a large hamster that they can put in a cage and don’t take too much energy,” she says. “The reality is you need to think of them a little bit more like vegetarian cats.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.