Elisha Dacey - Mar 14, 2010 Castanet:
It's time for people to put their bunny money where their mouths are. The Responsible Animal Care Society says they need money and volunteers to help care for nearly 700 rabbits that have been captured and cared for since last March. "All those people who said that someone should do something (about Kelowna's feral rabbit issue), well, we've done it, and now we need their help," says Sinikka Crosland, TRACS president. The non-profit group gets some funding from the City of Kelowna to sterilize the bunnies, although there is still a long waiting list of bunnies to undergo the procedure. In the meantime, the bunnies need to be fed, watered and sheltered and that takes time and money. "For example, we spend about $1,000 a month right now on rabbit pellets," says Crosland. They also spend several hundred dollars a month for hay and other necessities. Crosland says she has a dedicated group of volunteers and foster care homes that are taking care of the rabbits, but they're looking for more volunteers to help out. They're also looking for responsible families to adopt the bunnies as pets. Crosland says despite the fact most of the rabbits are feral, they have domestic bunny roots and are tamed before being handed over to families. Crosland says the group is constantly fundraising and is hoping people who have fundraising ideas will also give them ideas.
Last year, the City of Kelowna awarded a contract to a Vancouver company to round up and euthanize the rabbits, which led to debate and outrage. The company managed to kill hundreds of the rabbits. Crosland says TRACS is in no danger of collapsing, but could use fresh hands to help care for the rabbits. TRACS will train people who are interested. "It's not difficult at all," says Crosland. "We're willing to help." People who wish to adopt, volunteer or donate money can email TRACS at tracs@shaw.ca.
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