With high spay/neuter fees, bunnies in Seattle multiplying like rabbits
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SEATTLE -- In Seattle, bunnies are multiplying like, well, rabbits.
Pet rabbits are multiplying because most owners can't afford to get them spayed and neutered.
Gaze at a fluffy bunny and it's hard to refuse petting it or even taking it home, especially when the kids are begging for it. Take home a couple and a month later, you're likely to have a litter of rabbits.
Rabbits are not typically spayed or neutered, and can have up to 10 in a litter.
"A couple of days after Tess got here, she had a litter of seven," said pet rabbit owner Sandi Ackerman.
And now, five years later, Tess and two of her boys, Pete and Pat, still live at Rabbit Meadow where Ackerman shelters unwanted rabbits.
"Rabbit spays and neuters have gone up in this area, in the past two years to $200 to $400, $500," she said.
That's just way too much money for many, who are now simply not getting their rabbits fixed.
"This is one of the reasons we beg animal shelters to start spaying and neutering rabbits," Ackerman said.
The Seattle Animal Shelter will soon start providing this service for the public.
"We took it on because we're confident in our skills," said Kara Main-Hester of the Seattle Animal Shelter.
Doctors have been sterilizing rabbits right alongside cats and dogs for 15 years, but only performed surgery on rabbits it shelters for adoption.
"It's really important for the health of the rabbit and for help with potential aggression issues and behavior issues with the rabbits," Main-Hester said.
Seattle Animal Control will start spaying and neutering bunnies the first week of January for a $75 fee. Help is available for those who have a bunny and can't afford a fee. You can schedule appointments by calling 206-386-4260.
Pet rabbits are multiplying because most owners can't afford to get them spayed and neutered.
Gaze at a fluffy bunny and it's hard to refuse petting it or even taking it home, especially when the kids are begging for it. Take home a couple and a month later, you're likely to have a litter of rabbits.
Rabbits are not typically spayed or neutered, and can have up to 10 in a litter.
"A couple of days after Tess got here, she had a litter of seven," said pet rabbit owner Sandi Ackerman.
And now, five years later, Tess and two of her boys, Pete and Pat, still live at Rabbit Meadow where Ackerman shelters unwanted rabbits.
"Rabbit spays and neuters have gone up in this area, in the past two years to $200 to $400, $500," she said.
That's just way too much money for many, who are now simply not getting their rabbits fixed.
"This is one of the reasons we beg animal shelters to start spaying and neutering rabbits," Ackerman said.
The Seattle Animal Shelter will soon start providing this service for the public.
"We took it on because we're confident in our skills," said Kara Main-Hester of the Seattle Animal Shelter.
Doctors have been sterilizing rabbits right alongside cats and dogs for 15 years, but only performed surgery on rabbits it shelters for adoption.
"It's really important for the health of the rabbit and for help with potential aggression issues and behavior issues with the rabbits," Main-Hester said.
Seattle Animal Control will start spaying and neutering bunnies the first week of January for a $75 fee. Help is available for those who have a bunny and can't afford a fee. You can schedule appointments by calling 206-386-4260.
Slaughter them and make soup.
Butchering a rabbits is very easy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuSY9OCD0Zo
 @localperspective Rabbit is very tasty.
 @localperspective Send it right to the homeless shelters, this time of the year, lots of people out in the cold would probably be just fine with rabbit stew.
I used to work for a vet. Male cats, bunnies etc. are usually given Ketamine, which does not put them out entirely but paralyzes them momentarily. Then its just a slice, some pulling and snipping. It takes about 10 minutes from start to finish and is not very expensive to do, either in time or cost of that type of anesthesia. Â The whole thing costs the vet clinic about $18 wholesale. I do not know why they charge so much. Guess the electric bills and payroll is kinda high.
The title make me laugh till I was crying!Â
I love this story!! LOL, actually my dog loves rabbit! She would be more than happy to take a few off someone's hands. I cannot guarantee their safety though. She's not known to be very trustworthy around the furry little delights.
Wabbit season!
My favorite prey...
Rabbit stew sound like the best solution....
Stew. Problem solved.
The coyotes should take care of the problem.
Owning a pet is expensive and if you can't afford it, you shouldn't have one. It's important for both the health and well-being of the animal. Personally I don't like rabbits, and I probably would only buy them for the purpose of raising them to eat, but if you want one as a pet, and don't plan on breeding it, either get it neutered or don't get it, or keep them WELL seperated.
Ok, it's really not that hard to keep the boys & girls separated. I've done it for years with my pet rabbits.
I got one from the animal shelter awhile back. I had to fill out the standard adoption form but the workers didn't ask any questions like they would have for a dog or cat. In fact, I went into the back room where the rabbit was & got it out of the cage myself. No one offered to show it to me or help me get it or anything. It cost $7 as opposed to the $75 or more for a dog or cat. They didn't care that I lived in a different county than where the shelter was. They basically showed no interest in the bunny's future well-being at all except that they no longer had to care for it.