Sabrina, a 2-year-old spayed English Spot rabbit, is up for adoption. Photo: MSPCA
MSPCA-Angell is giving away free bunnies in Boston, Methuen and Centerville this month in the hope of matching the success of a summer cat adoptathon that placed nearly 180 cats into new homes in just one weekend.
The adoption event, dubbed “We Got Buns, Hun!,” begins on Sept. 14, and runs through the end of the month at the adoption centers. It typically costs $75 to adopt the fluffy companions.
The adoption centers will also conduct special “Rabbit Fest” educational seminars to familiarize new adopters with the joys and responsibility of rabbit ownership, according to the MSCPA.
Adopt, Don’t Shop
Animal rescue officials report that a key driver for the adoptathon is the steady increase in the volume of rabbit surrenders in all three of the MSPCA’s adoption centers, a trend that strains both space and financial resources.
“We actually take in more rabbits every year than puppies, which is always a surprise to people who visit our adoption centers,” said Mike Keiley, director of the Noble Family Animal Care and Adoption Center at the MSPCA-Nevins Farm in Methuen. “We want people to know that they don’t have to buy a rabbit from a pet store or from a breeder—especially when there are so many in shelters who are looking for permanent homes.”
Thumper, a 1-year-old English Spot Rabbit is up for grabs. Photo: MSPCA
There are currently 52 rabbits living at the MSPCA’s adoption centers in Massachusetts.
“We’re profoundly grateful to donors who enable us to carry out these innovative adoption promotions to place as many animals into loving homes as possible,” said Jean Weber, director of animal protection for the MSPCA-Angell. “Our fee-waived cat adoptathons have become extremely popular and now we hope to introduce the joy of rabbit ownership to adopters who may have never considered bringing one of these wonderful animals home.”
Rabbits 101
The MSCPA said rabbits make “wonderful family pets for both individuals and families,” and have personalities as distinctive as those of cats and dogs.
“Rabbits are quiet and easy to keep—many adopters have even trained their rabbits to use litter boxes. The MSPCA maintains a thorough online rabbit care and adoption resource page to provide would-be adopters with everything they need to know before bringing a rabbit home,” the organization said in a press release.
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