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Rabbits

Learn more about rabbits.

A Rabbit Around the House

I confess, despite the many pets I have had in my life, I have never had a pet rabbit. My good friend in the U.K. did though. The bunny, simply known as “Rabbit,” was a house rabbit.  Rabbit had run of the house. In fact, he wasn’t happy that I would close the door of the guest bedroom, keeping him out. Invariably, at some time during the night, he would throw himself at the door to try to get in.

I will further confess, till I met him, I never thought of a rabbit as a viable pet, having seen only  undersocialized ones confined to cages at the edge of the garden growing up. To me, keeping rabbits seemed cruel and pointless. But a house rabbit is different thing. Rabbit was paper trained, and my friend told me he rarely had a accident, unless sick. He was moderately affectionate, though not with me. Perhaps because I locked him out of the guest bedroom.

Given this month is Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month, here are a few things our adoption staff want you to know about pet rabbits:

Rabbits are intelligent, social animals. When given plenty of attention, they make affectionate and rewarding family pets. They can be trained to use a litter box and are more enjoyable, responsive pets when living indoors as house rabbits. Given appropriate care, rabbits can live 10 years or more. Before adopting a rabbit, consider the following:

  • Rabbits need daily exercise and play
  • Rabbits need nutritious food, fresh water and a clean habitat
  • Everyone in your household should understand how to hold and play with a rabbit, and be eager to welcome a rabbit into the family
  • Some rabbits can be destructive. They like to chew on books and wooden furniture and electrical cords, and will need to be monitored

For more information about rabbits and their care, visit www.ottawahumane.ca/?s=Rabbits.

For rabbits and other small pets available for adoption right now, visit https://ottawahumane.ca/adopt/small-animals-and-birds/.

Bruce Roney
Executive Director

What Our Statistics Tell Us About the Easter Bunny

With Easter approaching, some of our colleagues in the humane movement are reminding their communities that adopting a rabbit at Easter is a terrible idea. Some imply that thousands of bunnies die every year because children tire of the rabbit quickly and they end up in shelters, euthanized for lack of homes. This may happen in some communities, and reminding people to be responsible when it comes to bringing any pet into their homes is always a good thing. But as is so often the case in animal welfare, myth sometimes beats out fact, rigid thinking can be counterproductive, and reality is not the same from community to community.

So, what is the story in our community?

Last year, the OHS cared for 208 domestic rabbits. Of these, close to 40 per cent were surrendered by their families. Another 36 per cent were stray and 23 per cent were transferred to the OHS from other humane societies and groups. The busiest months for surrender of bunnies are August and September. In contrast, for dogs and cats, the months for highest owner surrenders are May and June.

So what does this tell us about the problem of rabbits given at Easter? The fact that the highest surrender months — at about double the average month — are about six months after Easter means there likely is an issue. But the number surrendered in those two months totals only 26. So it’s a problem, but likely not a big problem. These numbers of rabbits coming into our care are relatively manageable and we have discovered that there are good homes for bunnies if we sterilize them before adoption.

Like adopting cats and dogs at Christmas, we have changed our thinking about adopting rabbits at Easter. No, we don’t think giving children at pet rabbit just because it is Easter is a good idea. But, if someone has done their research, concluded that a rabbit would be a good pet for their family, and is willing to meet all of the rabbit’s needs, then why not adopt at Easter? All of the normal adoption procedures apply, no matter what time of year. Easter may be an impetus for a family to start their research on bunnies as pets. For a lot of lucky people, it is a three — or even four-day weekend. That’s free time for families to integrate a pet into their home. In fact, it may be the best time for many to adopt a rabbit — or a cat or dog for that matter.

So, bunnies at Easter in our community? It’s a good opportunity to remind ourselves to adopt only if we are prepared to make a commitment to any animal’s needs for its lifetime. But it’s also a time to find forever homes for pets, including the bunnies.

For more information about rabbits and their care, please visit our website.

Bruce Roney
Executive Director

Wildlife FAQs

Wildlife Babies

If you find a sick or injured wild animal, here are the steps you can take. If you need more help, call the City of Ottawa at 311.

For large wildlife, such as deer, moose and bear, please call Ottawa Police Services at 613-236-1222.

Stumbling upon a baby animal that needs help usually brings out the maternal instincts in all of us. But spotting a baby animal by himself doesn’t necessarily mean he’s an orphan. Many wildlife parents leave their young alone during the day, sometimes for long periods. The mother is usually nearby and quite conscious of her young. Also, keep in mind that despite their small size, many young animals are actually independent enough to fend for themselves.

How can you tell if an animal needs your help or should be left alone? If an animal needs your help, you will see one or more of the following signs:

  • A wild animal presented to you by a cat or dog
  • Bleeding
  • An apparent or obvious broken limb
  • Shivering or coldness to the touch
  • Evidence of a dead parent nearby
  • Unusual or uneven loss of fur
  • Difficult or raspy breathing or sneezing
  • Body covered in fleas

Is the Juvenile or Baby Animal Really an Orphan?
Juvenile or Baby Deer or Moose
Juvenile or Baby Foxes
Juvenile or Baby Rabbits
Juvenile or Baby Raccoons
Juvenile or Baby Skunks
Juvenile or Baby Squirrels

Is a Small Animal the Pet for You?
Phoenix, one of the many small animals waiting
for her forever home at the OHS
When thinking of the Ottawa Humane Society, most people will say that visions of cats, kittens, puppies and dogs come to mind. But what if you are looking to add a small animal to your family? Where would you go? 
Well, look no further than those you trust to help you find your feline and canine companions. What most people don’t realize is that the OHS always has a large variety of small animals that can include budgies, finches, cockatiels, lovebirds, doves, parrotlets, gerbils, mice, hamsters, degus, chinchillas, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits and more. 
Meet Phoenix (A176837), for example, a beautiful three year old Netherland Dwarf rabbit. Since she arrived at the OHS in January 2015, Phoenix has waited very patiently for almost a year while watching a lot of her bunny friends find their forever homes. This independent lady will amuse you with how she likes to keep order in her bunny kingdom. She also loves to spend a lot of time outside of her cage having grand adventures. While she doesn’t enjoy being handled that much, she will always let you know when she needs attention by resting her chin on you or pawing at your leg.
Most often thought of as starter pets, small animals actually require the same level of commitment, enrichment, interaction and vet care as their feline and canine counterparts. Many small animals can also be trained to learn tricks, use a litter box and walk on a leash, among other things. 
What they lack in size, they more than make up for in love and companionship and you will quickly find yourself under their spell as you play with them and discover their personalities. If you have been hoping to add a little bundle of love to your family, come by the Adoption Centre to meet a wide variety of small animals like Phoenix and find that perfect match for your family.
Sarah Oswald
Manager: Admissions and Rehoming

Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run Team Showcase: BGIS Barkers

Halle

Halle, the Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run spokesdog, interviews Shelley Leblanc, second-time team captain of the BGIS Barkers, about why she participates in the event. The BGIS Barkers are a team of nine from Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions, providing consulting, management and delivery services in real estate.

Halle: So Shelley, can you tell me why the BGIS Barkers choose to participate in the Walk/Run?

Shelley: We do it for the love of animals. They bring such joy to our lives that we want to share that with others. If the money we raise allows even one pet to join its forever home, we have been successful.

Halle: What are the BGIS Barkers doing to recruit people to join your Walk/Run team?

Shelley:  At Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions, we issue a monthly newsletter that talks about what events we are supporting, as well as our accomplishments in fundraising. For the Wiggle Waggle, we talk about how much fun we had last year showing off our pets and how the animals are treated like kings and queens for the day.

Halle: How have the BGIS Barkers been so successful in raising funds for the Walk/Run? Do you have any tips to share with other teams?

Shelley: To raise money for the Wiggle Waggle we hold 50/50 draws on Fridays. We also had a super successful bake sale and have plans for a hot dog sale in August. We are trying really hard to finish in second place again this year. Although we would love to come first in, it is a difficult task to compete against the amazing Mooselake Labs team that has won the past few years. They do an incredible job raising funds for the animals, so we would be very happy to come in second place.

BGIS Barkers at the 2016 Wiggle Waggle Walk and Run

Halle: What is your team’s favourite part of the event?

Shelley: Seeing how proud the owners are of their pets. They love to show them off and so they should.

Halle: What would you say to someone who is considering participating in the event?

Shelley: Do it, don’t hesitate! It’s for a great cause and as a bonus, you get to meet more so many different breeds of dogs, more than you can even imagine. There are even few cats and rabbits that make it out too!

To sign up for the Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run, please visit www.ottawahumane.ca/walkrun.

Asking for Those Who Cannot Ask for Themselves
Animals cannot speak, or ask, for themselves.
For years, humane societies and SPCAs across North America, including the Ottawa Humane Society, adopted the slogan, “We speak for those that cannot speak for themselves.” It was—and is— a great tagline. It’s short, memorable, and gets to the heart of at least a big part of what we do. After all, animals can’t be their own advocates. They rely on us, and you, to be their voices, whether it be at a protest march, or in a letter to the editor, or at a city committee.

What we forgot was to add that we also need to ask for those who can’t ask for themselves. On behalf of the animals, we ask you to volunteer your time, we ask you to write those letters, and we ask you for money. Dogs can’t send out mail appeals, cats put on terrible events and rabbits are the worst at corporate fundraising. But rescuing them from abuse and neglect has a cost. Their care has a cost. The animals don’t know it. But you and I do.

A lot of people don’t like asking for money. I understand. If the money was for me, it would be very tough for me too. But it’s not for me, it’s for an abused cat, a dog left in a sweltering car, a raccoon in leg hold trap. It’s for 10,000 animals that need us every year. So I don’t mind asking for those that can’t ask for themselves any more than I mind speaking for them.

So I am asking—for them. Soon, no doubt, the OHS will ask you to once again be the voice for animals in our community. And soon, no doubt, we will be asking you to open your heart and your wallet and make a gift to the animals. Please say yes to both.

Bruce Roney
Executive Director

Animals and Easter

Easter is a great time of year. In theory, at least, winter is over and the weather is finally warming up. Sometimes we start to see some green on the ground. And with all of this, people start to get into a better mood, me included. It’s a great time of year for me, but is it for animals?

Wildlife

Wildlife are the most likely to suffer at Easter.  Hungry animals are more likely to have conflicts with humans, and as always with human/wildlife conflict, animals almost always lose. If it gets warm enough, early enough, birthing season will begin. Well-meaning people will needlessly remove newborns and juveniles from their nests when parents are actually quite near, and many of these young animals will not survive. 

Pets

Like for humans, Easter can be a great time for pets.  Time off and the advent of warmer weather means your dog is likely getting a longer walk and more outdoor fun than he was when it was 40 below in January. If you have built a safe outdoor structure for your cat, this may be the opening weekend. My always-safe-indoors cat certainly enjoys the wildlife from the window in spring.

But the holiday itself can present some additional dangers for pets. Chocolate, some artificial sweeteners, holiday decorations, and many flowers and plants are on the list of hazards that may be more likely to be a temptation to pets at Easter.

Rabbits

There is a pervasive view that thousands of people buy live bunnies for their children at Easter and abandon them several months later. This may have been the case, but thankfully it appears, at the OHS at least, this phenomenon has largely ended. When I look at the OHS intake statistics, yes, there is a small uptick in bunny admissions in the summer months, but there is an even bigger uptick in admissions of all animals, especially dogs and cats in the same period.

Please don’t revive the trend of bunnies as Easter gifts. Like at any time of the year, only adopt a pet once you have considered her needs for her lifetime. And always adopt from a reputable source — a humane society or a group such as Rabbit Rescue. Otherwise, stick to a chocolate bunny. 

We can all have a happy Easter, animals and humans. And that is what I wish for you and for them.

Bruce Roney

President and CEO

2018 Media Releases

View 2017 press releases