NEWS ARTICLES

Wanted: Bunny huggers to prevent rabbit abuse

By Linda Cook
Quad City Times (September 23, 2002)

I'm a bunny hugger: There, I said it. And I meant it literally.

Six weeks ago, I adopted my first house rabbit. We met on the "Paula Sands Live!" television show, where he was featured as a Scott County Humane Society adoptable.

I've been crazy about rabbits ever since I saw my favorite movie, "Harvey," when I was a little kid. But I always figured that a lifetime of allergies would prevent me having a bunny as a companion....

Still, there was just something about this particular bunny. I was terrified that I would begin sniffling and hacking away, so I called my allergist's office, and the wonderful nurse there assured me that many patients have pets, adding that I should notify her of any symptoms. So far, so good.

It's true that Elwood, who is a minirex, turned out to be a lot of work for a previously pet-less couple. Elwood uses a littler tray, just like a cat would, so house-breaking was easy. Teaching him to stay away from electrical cords and shoelaces was/is another thing entirely.

But living with Elwood is worth 10 times the effort we've put forth. His energy, good humor and general zest for live are contagious....

Because of Elwood, I began to read about rabbits and various rabbit rescue organizations on the Internet. When I came upon the "rabbit911" Web site, I knew that I must share this Los Angeles story with the kind people of the Quad-Cities.

Here are the facts: Along with her husband, Bona Tucker, of Torrance, Calif., began the PetSave Foundation to help foster and place abandoned rabbits. The "rabbit911" Web site was developed after a heinous, bizarre crime was committed earlier this year.

A PetSave volunteer was informed that a woman was keeping dozens, maybe hundreds, of rabbits in an overcrowded situation at her home. I really, truly can't go into the details of what has happend to these animals that were rescued in April. Let's just say that the Los Angeles branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals became involved to help save these rabbits from squalid living conditions (you can learn more from the Web site at www.rabbit911.com/).

"In addition to the 356 rounded up in one day, an additional 160-plus live births happened before spays could be scheduled," says Bona. Now she is among the volunteers who take care of the bunnies seven days a week.

She mentions the older ones that bear the physical scars of territorial fighting because of overcrowding. "It was suggested to me that the ones with physical issues should be euthanized because they are less adoptable," Bona says.

"I responded that those of us who love rabbits could take the scroungiest one there with torn or missing ears, and scabs, etc., and love it just as much as a 'perfect' bunny, maybe even more. I have placed a three-legged bunny, a one-eyed bunny and a bunny missing most of both ears in loving homes..."

So far, charges have not been filed agains the woman who tried to keep all those rabbits. The poor lady obviously needs help.

But so does Bona, and so do other animal rescue organizations.

OK, it's true that no one from the Illinois/Iowa region can be a regular volunteer at PetSave. But there are animal rescue organizations throughout the Quad-City region that could use your help, whether you adopt an animal that needs a home, donate supplies or help by providing financial assistance.

You can find the names of those terrific groups in your phone book. PetSave Foundation can be contacted at 522 W. 9th St., San Pedro, CA 90731, or online at www.petsave.org.

Thanks for reading. Elwood thanks you too.

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