TWELVE to fourteen domesticated rabbits were left behind when a tenant vacated their residence in Nambucca Heads recently.

These rabbits, some of which were pregnant, were left in open enclosures and running loose in the yard.

Contributing to these numbers were rabbits that had been previously abandoned when a homeowner neighbouring the rental property sold their house and left rabbits loose in the yard, leaving them to fend for themselves.

The local Real Estate agent contacted The Rabbit Sanctuary who set to work to save the left behind bunnies.

In a situation like this The Rabbit Sanctuary investigates whether the finder of the rabbits would consider adoption, and if this is not possible then a call is put out to the network of pet foster carers.

Rebecca Willow, a committed volunteer for the Sanctuary said, “We never have enough carers and many carers have multiple foster bunnies as well as their own pet bunnies.”

In this case two rabbits were re-homed by the Real Estate agent privately.

Another of the bunnies, Bucky, has been adopted by a family in Nambucca, and they have also adopted one of the newborn bunnies that will be given to them once the bunny is seven or eight weeks old.

All the other bunnies that have been captured are now in foster care and Ms Willow said that traps have been put back at the property with the aim of capturing up to six more bunnies that are still roaming free.

Ms Willow advised News Of The Area that, “All bunnies surrendered to The Sanctuary are desexed, micro chipped, vaccinated, wormed, flea treated and fully health checked.”

News Of The Area asked Ms Willow if domesticated rabbits make good pets.

She said, “They make wonderful companion pets if they are integrated into the family home.

“If they have a set up inside or are allowed to roam indoors they become very easy to look after and children will form a bond with them like any other pet. “

Are bunnies difficult to care for?

Ms Willow said, “You do need to bunny-proof in the beginning, especially to protect wires and cords from being chewed, but this is easy to do.

“They need unlimited hay above their litter tray and once settled in a home they will become totally litter trained as they are very clean animals.”

Bunnies should always be desexed.

The Rabbit Sanctuary is available with plenty of guidance and support to assist with the foster caring and/or adoption of rabbits.

According to Ms Willow, “The abandoning of these rabbits in Nambucca will be reported to the authorities this week.

“If people can no longer take care of their pets there are humane ways to rehome them through rescues and local “community organisations and groups.”

The Rabbit Sanctuary is a volunteer run organisation operating in NSW, ACT, VIC and QLD.

To donate to The Rabbit Sanctuary, or to help provide care for abandoned and surrounded bunnies go to
https://www.rabbitsanctuary.com.au/donate.

 

By Rachel MCGREGOR-ALLEN