TRAP NEUTER RETURN, Not just for cats anymore!. The need, the “how to” the challenges. Debby Widolf Rabbit Dept. Manager ________________ Best Friends.

TRAP NEUTER RETURN, Not just for cats anymore!

The need,the “how to”

the challenges.

Debby WidolfRabbit Dept. Manager

________________Best Friends Animal

Society

The “domestic feral” rabbit.

• Not a wild rabbit.• Do not breed with cottontails. • They are related to the European wild rabbit, but have been domesticated by man.

• Most colonies of domestic feral rabbit populations start from people “dumping” their pet rabbits!

SURVIVAL: WHERE? HOW?

• CITY PARKS•COLLEGE CAMPUSES•SUBURBS•ZOOS•AIRPORTS

•LOW PREDATORS•HIGH BREEDING CYCLE•GOOD CLIMATE, FOODMOST ABANDONED RABBITS LIVE A SHORT LIFE

HOW MANY?Kelowna, Canada

Est. 1,500

University of VictoriaEst. 2,000 plus

Garden Grove, CA500 removed

Long Beach City CollegeEst. 300-500

THE CYCLE: LOVE, IGNORE, DESTROY

Why TNR for Rabbits?•A humane approach.•Rescues are full.•Shelters are not able to care for the large numbers.•Domestic rabbits are the third most abandoned and euthanized animalafter cats & dogs.

A “community” steps up!Long Beach City College

•Pet rabbits dumpedon campus for over 25 years.•Staff, students cared for the rabbits.•Volunteers contacted Best Friends.•We presented to the academic senate and administration a TNR proposal for approval.•Started the “Rabbit Task Force.”•Organized fund raising, grants, donations

•More approvals received.•Recruited help.•Obtained a “rabbit room”.•Gathered food, cages, supplies. •Contacted Western University VACS unit.

WE BEGAN TRAPPING THE RABBITS!

Western University VACS Unit

HOORAY for students and volunteers!

Expenses:•$43.00 per spay/neuter, included medications, surgery, pre-post vet exams.•Food, misc. care items, extra vet visits, approx. $300.00 per week.•Room was free from college.•Cages and food dishes were on loan from Best Friends.•Care of ill rabbits and donations of food and advice courtesy of Bunny Bunch Rabbit Rescue

•175 spays and neuters done in 4 days •90 babies born just before surgery•60 rabbits released back on campus•118 adopted through adoption program•300 remaining rabbits needing S/N

Health status of the campus rabbits

•Most common healthproblem was VD

•Eye infections

•Upper respiratory infections

•Wounds from fighting

•Approximately 75% of femalerabbits were pregnant

•General health of the majority of rabbits was considered good

A “Caring” Plan•Prevent “dumping”•Increase campus security.•Out of sight feedingand watering stations.•Continuing to spay/ neuter the rabbits•Adoption, TNR,•Education

The Challenges AheadFinancial

Staff-Student- volunteer help.

Community support.A near 100%

spay/neuter rate.Prevent more dumped

rabbits.Adoption program.

Continuing care of the rabbits living on

campus.COMMITMENT

Dear Friends,

We rabbits need your help. This is what you can do:Change the laws.Ask pet stores not to sell rabbits.Please adopt us.Give us the same consideration as all other pets.Support the people who are helping us.Volunteer.Ask your local shelters to spay and neuter rabbits too.Please don’t abandoned us. We need your care.Remember that “TNR” is a humane option but not the solution.

We love you,

The Rabbits