Community Corner
Bunnies Multiplied Out of Control; Now They're at Orange Animal Care Shelter
It may sound like a joke, but the problem is quite real. Two bunnies adopted but not spayed or neutered became 200 over a few years' time.
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — What they say about reproducing like rabbits is about right. This week, a Cypress family was overwhelmed by their bumper crop of bunnies and put 200 baby rabbits up for adoption with the Orange County Animal Care Shelter's help.
Now these bunnies are being offered for "free" adoption, with the cost of a $17 microchip. Spaying and neutering is available for an additional charge but comes highly recommended.
"We need adopters, rescues and shelters that can help these adorable bunnies find placement and their fur-ever homes," OC Animal Care said on its Facebook page.
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How They Were Discovered:
A neighbor of the Cypress family called code enforcement authorities with concern about the number of rabbits on the property, said Katie Ingram of OC Animal Care.
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Bunnies to Spare:
Though the bunnies were not being poorly treated and there was no evidence of abuse, according to Ingram, Orange County Animal Care worked with the family to take a couple hundred of the rabbits off their hands and put them up for adoption.
Why Two Rabbits Became Two Hundred:
The family in question originally "adopted two rabbits a couple of years back and didn't spay or neuter them," Ingram said. "They've reproduced multiple times and now they're in over their heads with 230 rabbits."
On Tuesday, Oct. 4, OC Animal Care suggested that the residents pick out their favorites and took the remaining 200 critters to OC Animal Care's shelter in Orange.
"The bunnies have been well cared for," Ingram said. "They're in good health, friendly, all different ages, colors and shapes — something for everyone."
How to Bring a Bunny Home:
The agency is charging just $17, less than the usual $37, to adopt each rabbit, Ingram said.
The moral of this story? "Have your pets spayed and neutered," Ingram said.
It's just a simple matter of multiplication.
Find the Orange County Animal Care Shelter at 561 The City Dr. S., Orange, CA 92868 or call (714) 935-6848.
Photo: Orange County Animal Care Shelter
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