Search Results for: Rabbits
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
2024 Media Releases
Senior Cat Adoption Fee Dropped at Ottawa Humane Society (April 19, 2024)
Donations to Ottawa Humane Society Doubled (April 18, 2024)
“Heroes for Ottawa’s Animals” Ottawa Humane Society Celebrates National Volunteer Week (April 15, 2024)
Protecting Pets in the Spring (April 9, 2024)
New OHS Program Gives Homeless Rabbits Second Chances with Teens (March 27, 2024)
Ottawa Humane Society Launches Lottery to Support the Animals (Feb. 16, 2024)
Unseasonable Surge of Pets and Slow Adoption Rate Rock Ottawa Humane Society (Feb. 9, 2024)
Fall in Love at the Ottawa Humane Society (Feb. 7, 2024)
Ottawa Humane Society Seeking New Board Members (Feb. 2, 2024)
Helping Pet Owners Handle Post-Pandemic Anxiety — Ottawa Humane Society (Jan. 29, 2024)
Ottawa Humane Society Urges Pet Owners to Take Caution During Cold Snap (Jan. 16, 2024)
Exciting New Hop-portunity for Teens
Volunteering: it’s an incredible thing. It means donating your time and energy, towards a greater cause. It’s an integral part of keeping an organization like the OHS going. And for high school students in Ontario, it’s also a requirement for graduation.
We often get calls from eager teens hoping for the chance to earn their volunteer hours at the OHS, helping animals in need. We’re excited to have just launched a new program that will give them that chance – it’s a win-win for the animals in our care and for the youth who are passionate about them.
The new Youth Foster program sees teens care for OHS rabbits in their homes. Last weekend, we sent nine rabbits home with our first group of youth volunteers, after they attended a workshop to learn how to be responsible rabbit caregivers. The group went over feeding requirements, proper handling techniques, daily enrichment and monitoring for medical concerns. It was a fantastic learning opportunity for teens interested in animal care careers or just wanting more experience with animals.
We’re also very proud to be supporting the spirit of volunteerism in our community’s youth – letting them see how they can help change the lives of those in their community as a social responsibility, rather than for personal reward.
Cheerio, pictured here with his new youth foster volunteer, is one of the bunnies who now has a chance to experience life outside the shelter. Cheerio was born in OHS care more than 10 months ago who, just given the sheer volume of rabbits in our care right now, hasn’t been adopted. Spending time in a foster home will give him the chance to relax and get the one-on-one attention he deserves. It will also increase his socialization, so he stands a better chance of being adopted more quickly when he does return. He will also get the chance to give his new teenage friend all the love and companionship he has to offer.
While we’re not accepting new applications just yet, we’re eager to expand this program soon, and in the meantime interested teens can learn more about the program and join a waitlist for the next opening.
We’re thrilled to take this next step in engaging youth to be the responsible pet owners of tomorrow, while also helping us ensure that we will be here for the animals, for generations to come.
President & CEO
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.
Just because a baby animal is alone, does not necessarily mean they are an orphan. Many wildlife parents leave their young alone during the day, sometimes for long periods. The mother is usually nearby. 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; and,
- 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
Small Animal Enrichment Volunteer Rabbit and Guinea Pig
Not currently recruiting.
This program unites volunteers with rabbits and guinea pigs residing at the shelter. Volunteers provide enrichment and socialization to rabbits and guinea pigs through activities that promote their well-being including: foraging, playing, exercising, digging, problem solving and one-on-one quality time, such as petting, feeding and grooming.
Through the small animal enrichment volunteer program, we:
- Provide enrichment and socialization once a day;
- Improve the quality of life for the rabbits and guinea pigs in our care by providing mental stimulation through time outside of their cage and enrichment activities;
- Provide the opportunity for socialization through human interaction.
Small Animal Enrichment Volunteer Requirements:
- Volunteers must be over 18 years of age
- Familiarity with rabbits and guinea pigs
- Experience handling small animals
- Ability to carry up to 20 lbs
- Ability to follow strict instruction
- Ability to adhere to all sanitation practices to safeguard animal health
- Ability to work with minimal supervision once trained
- Volunteers are required to make at least a three-hour, weekly commitment over a period of at least one year
2021 Media Releases
Abandoned Dog Needs Life-saving Surgery (Dec. 16, 2021)
Ottawa Humane Society Warns Against Cold Weather Dangers to Pets (Dec. 9, 2021)
Ottawa Humane Society and Ottawa Food Bank Partner to Feed Ottawa’s Pets (Oct. 21, 2021)
Ottawa’s Animals Need Foster Volunteers (Oct. 7, 2021)
Ottawa’s Rabbit Crisis (Sept. 23, 2021)
Donations to Ottawa Humane Society Tripled Until Sept. 15 (Sept. 13, 2021)
Ottawa Humane Society Cancels Annual Wiggle Waggle Walk and Run, Shifts To Online Fundraising (Aug. 17, 2021)
Rising Temperatures Pose a Danger to Pets (August 9, 2021)
Sunny the Puppy Needs Your Help (July 26, 2021)
Foster Volunteers Needed at Ottawa Humane Society (July 22, 2021)
Celebrations for Reopening and Canada Day Pose Serious Risk to Pets (June 30, 2021)
Wild Animal Responsible for West End Cat Killings — New Police Evidence Shows (June 24, 2021)
Puppy Thrown from Car Window Lands in OHS Care (June 24, 2021)
More Deceased Cats Ignite Further Concerns (June 18, 2021)
New Organization Emerges to Champion Animal Welfare across Ontario (June 17, 2021)
OHS Relaunches Online “Catch the Ace” Raffle (June 16, 2021)
Ottawa Humane Society Offers Cash Reward to Bring West End Cat Killer to Justice (June 16, 2021)
Mother Cat Found Alone, Injured and Fending for Three Kittens (June 3, 2021)
Increased Danger to Pets Left in Cars as Temperatures Rise (May 19, 2021)
Ottawa Humane Society Launches Catch the Ace Raffle to Support the Animals (May 12, 2021)
Ottawa Humane Society Achieves Prestigious Accreditation by Humane Canada (Apr. 22, 2021)
Fatal Falls and Thin Ice, Ottawa Humane Society Warns of Spring Dangers for Pets (Mar. 30, 2021)
Ottawa Humane Society Launches Lottery to Support the Animals (Mar. 17, 2021)
Cat Found Frozen and Near-death Rushed to Ottawa Humane Society (Feb. 23, 2021)
Keeping Pets Safe During Cold Weather (Feb. 12, 2021)
Ottawa Humane Society Helps Thousands of Animals Through Partner Support (Jan. 28, 2021)
Emaciated Dog with Chain Collar Embedded in Neck Finds Shelter at Ottawa Humane Society (Jan. 21, 2021)
FAQs
If you are unable to find the answer to your question, please send us an email at info@ottawahumane.ca.
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