Rejected rabbits once considered Easter Sunday gifts are a hop, skip and a jump away from a permanent home thanks to a group fundraising for Alberta’s first bunny sanctuary.
And those wishing they had bought a bunny for their special someone this time of year are encouraged to instead adopt a rabbit of the virtual variety through the organization, called Pound Rescue, to help support the cause.
In the past two years, Pound Rescue has trapped more than 200 spayed or neutered rabbits from two Calgary neighbourhoods and moved them to various pet sanctuaries.
The group is now trying to raise $3,500 to build one Bunny Town Sanctuary south of Calgary to provide a permanent home for 100 currently in foster care, said R.J. Bailot, a volunteer with Pound Rescue.
“The sanctuary is going to be the first of its kind in Alberta,” he said.
“They will be provided with food, water, shelter and protection, yet at the same time have a large area to run and be free...”
And instead of adopting or buying a bunny, the organization is encouraging people to virtually sponsor a rabbit by donating money to the sanctuary by visiting www.poundrescue.com.
“We discourage people from buying rabbits because they are high-maintenance animals,” he said.
“So many rabbits are abandoned or given up on after Easter when people realize how much work it is.”
Pound Rescue does not take surrenders but will take abandoned or stray bunnies.