Staff at St. John's animal centre say good homes needed for 11 bunnies — fast

The kitten room of the City of St. John's animal care and adoption centre has been overtaken — not by cats or dogs, but by bunnies.

City veterinarian Heather Hillier says there are 11 domestic rabbits in total at the shelter — two one-year-old bunnies surrendered from a home, the rest nine-month-old rabbits from a single litter. All 11 are up for adoption.

"The litter was placed outside of a home in an enclosure," she told CBC News on Monday. "Obviously the owner was overwhelmed in taking care of them. We then took them in as a result of that, because they were not receiving the appropriate care all the time."

The two older rabbits are "a lot of fun," she said. "They were in a home with four cats and as far as they're concerned, they are cats. They climb our cat trees, they're quite spunky." 

What makes a good bunny owner? Hillier said a rabbit should be a part of the household, just like any other pet. 

Anybody for a bunny? 11 have taken over the kitten room at St. John’s Humane Services

6 months ago

Duration 1:21

The kitten room at St. John’s Humane Services is a bit of a misnomer right now, since 11 bunnies are calling the space home. The shelter is putting out a call for interested and responsible would-be bunny owners.

"They're curious, they're on the go, they're busy bunnies, they love to play, they love enrichment."

She highlighted the importance of a proper diet, veterinary care and hygiene."They do deserve proper veterinary care and preventive care as well. So spaying and neutering, flea prevention, they also need an appropriate diet."

Rabbits can be litter-trained, allowing them to roam freely around in the home, said Hillier, but you do have to rabbit-proof your house.

"Our rabbits really like cords, so we have to be aware of our cell phone chargers and laptop wires and that sort of thing," she said.

"We know a lot of really awesome bunny owners that have rabbit ball pits and rabbit tunnel mazes. They really get into it with toys and enrichment and feeders and puzzles, that sort of thing, and really see their personality."

Adoption information can be found on the city's animal care and adoption centre website, by phone or by email.

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