Kitsap Humane Society has admitted more than 200 of the estimated 300 rabbits coming to the shelter as part of an unprecedented rescue from an overcrowded home in Poulsbo.

Most of the bunnies are in good health and are remarkably social and adoptable. About 45 of bunnies admitted so far require specialized veterinary care, such as nursing newborns and their mothers, newborns who need to be bottle-fed around the clock, and bunnies needing treatment due to injuries, urine burns, and other ailments.

“Our greatest need at this time is to place the bunnies into loving homes,” said Sarah Moody-Cook, KHS Director of Animal Welfare. “We are also in need of foster homes and donations for the veterinary care, food and housing of the bunnies.”

KHS Animal Control Officers were called to the home by law enforcement officers doing a welfare check at the residence. At the scene, they found an estimated 300 rabbits, some in cages and some roaming free, who were willingly surrendered to KHS by the homeowner. Officers said the owner started out providing care to rescued bunnies and was overwhelmed by their prolific breeding.

To accommodate the large number of pets — the most ever admitted to KHS from a single rescue case — the staff cleared out the Training Center for dogs, created a makeshift exam/admitting station and proceeded to fill the rest of the room with cages and kennels for rabbits. Because KHS doesn’t have enough room for all the bunnies at one time, the animals are being transported to the shelter daily in groups of about 25. Adopters and foster parents are urgently needed: the sooner bunnies are adopted or placed in foster homes, the sooner the remaining bunnies can be brought to KHS for care.

The bunnies range in age from newborns to five years, and include a variety of breeds such as Rexs, Lionheads, Netherland Dwarfs, Angoras, French Satins, Holland Lops, Harlequins and New Zealand mixes. Check the Kitsap Humane Society website to view the bunnies currently available for adoption.

Rescue situations like this require extraordinary lifesaving efforts from our staff and volunteers, who are providing these precious animals with all the care, services and snuggles they deserve .

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