Adopters sought as RSPCA SA reminds owners that rabbits breed like rabbits
RSPCA South Australia’s Lonsdale shelter is overcapacity with rabbits, having recently accepted the surrender of 124 from a suburban property.
Most of the rabbits are Lop-eared, but there are also some Rex, Dwarf and Polish Dwarf varieties. The majority of them are aged between 6 months to three years. (Rabbits can live up to 12 years.)
According to RSPCA SA’s Animal Operations Manager Billy Tubman, there is no lack of choice. However, he advised anyone interested in giving the bunnies a new home to first research their care needs, if they haven’t owned a rabbit before.
“Rabbits are amazing animals who make delightful companions, but sometimes people mistakenly think of them as low maintenance pets,” Billy said.
“They’re very smart, love to interact with people and toys and can be taught lots of things.
“But rabbits are not suited as pets for young children, who understandably often see them as similar to fluffy toys and are too rough in the way they handle them – rabbits become fearful and aggressive if not handled gently.”
Rabbits are happiest when kept with other rabbits. Due to their highly social nature, they will be available to adopt in pairs for just $120 unless the adopter already has rabbits, in which case careful introductions will be required.
“Rabbits are territorial, and will be naturally wary of a newcomer,” Billy said.
“It will take time, although some will form an instant bond, and once you’ve seen how bonded rabbits interact with each other, it’s unlikely you’d ever want to keep a solitary one again.”
The organisation’s veterinary team is undertaking a mass desexing program to ensure the bunnies don’t go forth and multiply in their new homes. Available rabbits are being added daily to the adoption web page, once they are desexed. The Lonsdale shelter is open Wednesday to Sunday.
