Montreal-area rabbit rescue group helps save abandoned bunnies

Since 2019, the organization, Sauvetage Lapins Errants, says they’ve rescued 350 stray domestic rabbits but due to limited space, the volunteer-run group says some rabbits get left behind.

According to the rescue group, after the holidays, they’ve notice more rabbits being abandoned.

Co-founder of Sauvetage Lapins Errants Kristina Tellier is encouraging Montrealers to reconsider before brining one home.

“After Easter, we’re going to see an abundance of rabbits that are dumped outside because the novelty is going to wear off,” she explained. “They’re going to realize they’re overwhelmed and maybe even they might reach out to certain shelters that are too full, so they just dump them after moving season.”

Tellier said that many rabbits get dumped after Christmas because people go on vacation and don’t want to care for them anymore.

“Rabbits are not gifts for children so if you do want to get a rabbit, make sure you do your research. Make sure that you have the budget to care for it.”

According to Tellier, there’s a lot that goes into taking care of a rabbit.

They need unlimited hay, a lot of space and need to eat a lot of vegetables, not just carrots.

Contrary to popular belief, feeding them carrots is not good for their health due to the vegetable’s high sugar content.

The volunteer-run group says they should be focusing on eating mixed greens.

“So, a lot of greens, lettuce, except for iceberg lettuce because it has no vitamins. And then there are other varied vegetables so they can have some dill, they can have coriander,” explained Tellier.

The co-founder said that rabbits need a space as large as a dog pen to live in because they can chew on baseboards, wires and can be very disruptive.

“They need a litter box with the hay over it. Unlimited hay. Lots of space. Toys to chew on because they’re teeth are also continuously growing. They don’t want to be picked up in the air. They don’t want to be cuddled.”

If you can no longer care for you rabbit, the group is asking the public to drop it off at an animal shelter instead of leaving it outside.

“It’s not a good life. They’re going to die,” concluded Tellier.