New owners found for most rabbits left homeless after eviction

The math usually associated with rabbits is multiplication, but animal control workers in DuPage County have been busy subtracting bunnies since taking in 69 of the critters in early December.

Only 10 remain at the Wheaton shelter. Since taking in the bunnies, 20 were adopted to families outright while 39 others were taken by local rabbit rescue organizations to find new homes through their networks, said Kerry Vinkler, DuPage Animal Care and Control Center executive director.

"We want a happy ending for these guys," she said. "We have seen an influx of dogs, so the kennels are becoming prime space."

The domesticated Dutch rabbits were discovered freely roaming throughout an apartment where sheriff's deputies were serving an eviction notice last month. The unidentified woman being evicted told animal control officials that her financial situation had overwhelmed her, but she was still caring for the rabbits. All but one of the rabbits were in good shape when workers seized them.

"None of the rabbits have bounced back as a result of being an impulse Christmas gift," Vinkler said. "We are finding responsible rabbit owners."

All the rabbits are spayed and neutered before being released for adoption or to rescue groups, Vinkler said. The rescue organizations are all inspected by the state's department of agriculture or are properly licensed as well.

Lisa Reemer, president of the Algonquin-based rescue group No Splitting Hares, said she has found homes for nine of the 12 rabbits her group took from DuPage. Her organization places the rabbits in pairs.

"They need someone with them in the cage or pen for warmth, they eat together, groom each other and play together," she said. "They all went to homes with large families with children that had been wanting them for a long time."

Reemer said only one of the rabbits she took went as a solo adoption because it didn't socialize well with other bunnies.

Vinkler said the remaining rabbits are all younger than 18 months and have a life expectancy of between eight and 12 years. For information about the 10 remaining bunnies visit dupageco.org/animalcontrol or stop by the county shelter at 120 N. County Farm Road in Wheaton.