Rabbit Confiscation

Civil Settlement Reached on June 3

On Tuesday, June 3, a settlement between Olmstead County and the owner of the animals was reached. Under the terms of this agreement:

• The owner was able to reclaim 25 dogs and 15 adult rabbits to keep on her property.
• She was also allowed to reclaim a number of dogs and rabbits that belonged to others. These animals were all to be returned to their rightful owners by June 10.
• The 15 adult rabbits included several litters, so the total number of rabbits reclaimed was about 100.
• All remaining animals were surrendered to Animal Humane Society on June 3.
• The owner paid boarding fees for the animals while they resided at the shelter to help defray the expenses associated with the care of the confiscated animals while the civil case was being resolved.
• All birds, llamas and all but three goats were to be removed from the property by June 10 as well.

Through this settlement, the total number of animals allowed on her property has been reduced from over 400 to just over 40 adult animals. The owner was also required to clean up the property, make improvements to the housing for the animals, and limit the number of animals kept in a single enclosure. Her property (as well as her residence) will be monitored for the coming year, including periodic inspections the first of which was due on or about June 10.

Criminal charges are still pending and further action may be taken as a result of those. Meanwhile, the remaining rabbits are now able to be sterilized and put up for adoption in the near future.

How you can help these bunnies:

MCRS needs three very important elements in order to meet the needs of these rabbits: volunteers, donations, and foster homes.

Volunteer

There will be a wide variety of volunteer needs over the next several weeks. The best option for being informed of these as they arise is to join our volunteer email list. A very important need is simply getting the rabbits from place to place. While it is a relatively simple task, it can be time-consuming and will continue to be important as we need to get rabbits to and from adoption events. In addition, many volunteers will be needed to assist at these events. MCRS has volunteer needs in many other areas as well. Check out our full list of volunteer opportunities.

Donate

Caring for such a large number of rabbits consumes a significant quantity of supplies like hay, pellets and litter. In addition, we don't yet know how much medical attention these rabbits will need. Even bunnies that come in apparently healthy often develop some health issues just from the stress of their circumstances. Medical expenses can add up quickly. Finally, equipping new foster homes costs money and it is much easier to get volunteers that will foster when we supply all the equipment. MCRS can really use financial donations of any amount.

Some examples of how your donation helps:

• $7 treats one rabbit's upper respiratory illness with three weeks of antibiotics.
• $20 provides food, hay and litter to one rabbit for an entire month.
• $50 provides a foster home with all the equipment to care for one rabbit - cage, litterbox, water bottle and food dish.
• $75 provides food, hay and litter for the duration of the average rabbit's stay in foster care.

A special thanks to Chuck & Don's Pet Food Outlet!
Chuck & Don's Pet Food Outlet has generously donated several cages appropriate for the very young rabbits that are part of this group as well as several bags of food suitable for feeding growing, young bunnies. Chuck & Don's has worked hard to make this donation as convenient as possible for MCRS - even delivering the product directly to the shelter for distribution to foster homes as they pick up their new foster bunnies. MCRS sincerely appreciates not only the generous donation of product, but also the prompt response and thoughtfulness of the Chuck & Don's staff. If you shop at Chuck & Don's, be sure to tell them you appreciate their generosity on behalf of the rabbits!

Foster

Each of the bunnies needs a place to live temporarily until an adoptive home can be found for them. In addition, MCRS has a constant need for foster homes year-round for the many other homeless rabbits in need. Fostering a rabbit can be a very rewarding experience and literally saves a life! All you need is a space in your home and the time to care for the rabbit. MCRS will supply all the equipment you will need - cage, litterbox, litter, food and hay. MCRS also covers any medical expenses for foster rabbits. Your only out-of-pocket expense is for the fresh greens and veggies you feed your foster rabbit - and even that is a tax-deductible donation! To start the process of becoming a foster home, go to Volunteer Match and click "I want to help!" If you have questions about fostering, please email us or call us at 651-768-9755. Please note this phone number goes only to voice mail, but a volunteer will call you back.

Adoption

The animals from this confiscation are becoming available for adoption in the very near future. If you have been considering adding a companion animal to your home, now is a great time, as whether you choose a confiscated animal or not, every animal to find a permanent home will free up space and resources to care for the confiscated animals. Two adoption events have been planned to help promote the many rabbits needing homes:

• Sunday, June 15, noon - 4 pm, Animal Humane Society, Golden Valley
• Sunday, June 22, noon - 4 pm, Animal Humane Society, Golden Valley