Twenty-five rabbits were surrendered to the MSPCA-Angell Dec. 10, marking one of the largest surrenders of rabbits in the organization’s recent history and prompting adoption center officials to schedule a fee-waived adoption weekend in January to rehome the animals, the organization announced today.
The rabbits—which range in age from six months to two years—are living at the MSPCA’s Jamaica Plain adoption center, bringing the population there to 47. “We have so many rabbits that the room set aside for them is completely overwhelmed and we now have to house them in our two cat colony rooms, which means space for our cats is limited,” said Boston adoption center manager Alyssa Krieger.
The large surrender comes at a time when the rabbit population at all three of the MSPCA’s adoption centers remains high.
The MSPCA-Nevins Farm adoption center in Methuen is currently housing 35 rabbits, which, according to director Mike Keiley, is about 25 percent more than normal for this time of year. “We’re also housing our rabbits in the cat colony rooms—spaces that are not at all designed for rabbits. We’re doing the best we can to ensure all animals are safe and comfortable, and hopefully adopters will step forward to open their homes to these pets,” he said.
The MSPCA’s Cape Cod adoption center in Centerville is home to nine, with five Angora rabbits having arrived only recently after they were rescued from a Truro, Mass., basement. “Our space is small and the animals are living closer together they would otherwise,” said Cape Cod director Mary Sarah Fairweather. “But, as always, we’re providing the highest level of care until we find them new homes.”
Fee-Waived Rabbit Adoptathon!
Owing to its large population of pet rabbits, the MSPCA will stage two days of fee-waived adoptions on Saturday, Jan. 16, and Sunday, Jan. 17. All three adoption centers will waive the standard rabbit adoption fee ($75 in Boston and Methuen and $55 on Cape Cod) in an effort to place as many of the animals into forever homes as possible. The MSPCA’s standard adoption qualifying process will remain intact and adoption center staff will provide all adopters with individual counseling and rabbit care education.
Information about MSPCA-Angell adoption center locations and hours of operation can be found here: https://www.mspca.org/adoption-centers/boston-adoption-center/