The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Las Vegas ‘dumpsite’ bunnies up for adoption
Some bunnies are in town from Las Vegas, and we’re not talking the Hugh Hefner type.
Rabbits rescued from “Sin City” are now available for adoption at Lake Humane Society in Mentor and Mayfield PetSmart.
LHS partnered with two nonprofit agencies — Bunnies Matter in Vegas Too and All Creatures Animal Sanctuary — on the rescue.
The groups have been catching, vetting and rehoming or transferring these bunnies to other shelters all over the country, after they are abandoned or dumped in areas known “dumpsites” for rabbits in Las Vegas, according to LHS officials.
The Lake County shelter became aware of their efforts via social media and was eager to help.
“Bunny dumps are, unfortunately, not a new problem,” LHS Adoption and Intake Coordinator Brittney Sanfilipo said. “This particular area in Las Vegas has been an issue for approximately six years, but we have seen it locally for as long as we can remember.
“It stems mostly from people purchasing bunnies as a ‘starter pet’ for themselves or their children,
only to realize how much work goes into properly caring for a rabbit. They are long-lived, emotional creatures, who require a special diet and a lot of space and attention.”
Sanfilipo said these rabbits aren’t able to fend for themselves in the wild.
“While they can eat plants, they lack the resources and skills wild rabbits have to survive predators and the elements,” she said.
“And a big problem Las Vegas sees in an area where many rabbits are abandoned is that they are reproducing as well, making the rescue efforts that much more challenging.”
Bunny dumps often are seen locally in the summer, after baby animals sold in the spring grow up. They are the third-most common animal relinquished to the shelter, behind cats and dogs.
“While most people will do the responsible thing and reach out to a shelter or rescue, many will abandon the frightened rabbit to fend for itself, Sanfilipo said.
“If not caught, the outcome for the rabbit is bleak.”
LHS took in six rabbits from its recent Midwest/ East Coast transport.
Only four bunnies remain available for adoption, one at LHS, 7564 Tyler Blvd., Mentor, and three at Mayfield PetSmart, 1521 Golden Gate Plaza, Mayfield Heights.