Roar!

[Heath]

So, I went to a movie with my fiance tonight at the local mall, and while going to meet him, I happened to pass the local photographer. Right outside the door was a cage with two dwarf bunnies in it! It was pretty clear that the litter box hadn’t been cleaned for some time, and the bedding in the small attached condo thing was absolutely soaked with pee. They had pellets and a manger of hay, but no greens. Plus, the pellets were put right above the litter box, so the poor dwarf (seriously, those guys are tiny!) had to stand up on his/her hind legs and stretch up for even a bite! It was one of those automatic food dispensers that you can buy for cats, so it’s pretty clear that the food isn’t being changed. One of the inmates was a beautiful sandy color, and he was huddled rather unhappily in the corner.

The mall is a very busy one, and little kids were coming up constantly and poking their sticky fingers at the poor buns. When I walked by the place again as it was closing, I peeked in: they had shoved the cage in a dark backroom, and the employees were preparing to leave! From some of the pictures out front, it was pretty clear that they were using the rabbits in pictures with kids: that HAS to be awful for the buns….

Is there anything I can do? I plan on calling the place tomorrow to find out what they’re going to do with the buns after Easter, but since where were no obvious signs of illness/neglect, I’m not sure the SPCA can do anything. If worst comes to worst, I could foster the pair, though I think Heathcliff would give me the perpetual butt if I did. Still, I could sneak them away; I’m more than willing to, if it’ll get them out of those conditions.

Any ideas?

[MarkBun]

The ASPCA can come and investigate and if they find the situation as you described it, they would issue a summons of compliance to have the cage and so on cleaned up. Unfortunately, they’ll be gone in a day or so so I’m not sure what would happen with them.

[Lisa_43]

PLEASE call the ASPCA.

[Sarita]

You could try the SPCA but since these photographers only use the rabbits for Easter shoots it’s possible by the time they investigate the rabbits will be gone. They are most likely babies and this is an on-going problem around Easter. Let us know what you find out if you get a chance to talk with the manager.

[RabbitPam]

Definitely call the SPCA.
Is there a good rescue center in your area? If they intend to get rid of the bunnies after the shoot, you might be doing them a favor by leaving a sheet or card with information on the location of the local shelter. That way, if they are dumped, they can be cared for properly and saved, instead of the worse option. (Like staying with the current neglectful owner.) It may give the photographer a better option.

[JK]

Yes please do call. I’m so sick and tired of the abuse these little guys endure! You’ll feel better if you at least make that call than if you don’t. Let us know. Ugh. Today’s going to be a big day for buying rabbits. Triple ugh.

[bunnytowne]

oh those poor things. can’t even be comfortable to eat and oh how I hate I mean hate it when kids or adults stick their fingers in the cages. oh those poor things dirty litterbox agh.I clean Itty Bitty’s every other day and whew it needs it. I hate that people don’t clean them you think the bunnies like it reeking of days old urine? how dare people Please call AsPCA  and go by and see if you can get them at least if you take them you can bring them to foster home that you know of at least they would have better care they must be exhausted with all that going on around them.

[Author]

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