It Can Happen to You

by Eloris Liebman, reprinted from Rabbits USA

It happened in San Meteo, California.  It can happen anywhere!  The In-Humane Society struck a severe blow to a very rare breed of rabbit by killing three dozen from the best and oldest line in the United States.  The ignorance of the employees was appalling.  They came to investigate a report of cats in the area and found one of ARBA's old time breeders raising rabbits.  They took one look at the slender built, graceful animals and said, "These rabbits are sick and starved."

The cruelty of all this is they assured our senior friend that they would take care of her rabbits.  They would also take care of the birds, the cat and the dog.  They then called a social worker to come to the residence to take her into custody, stating that anyone who had this many animals at her age should be institutionalized.  A taxi was called to take her away ..... but a relative arrived and having no knowledge of rabbits, the relative bartered the animals for the lady.  May she never learn what happened to her beloved well cared for rabbits.  She has been whisked away to a new location, her home to be sold.

It took one hardy woman to clean approximately 80 trays for a total of 14 black plastic bags partially filled with bunny power manure.  There was no corrosion on the trays or the coops, no rust and in general the cooping was in good condition.  These were not neglected animals in dirty cages.  There was nine hundred pounds of rabbit feed, freshly delivered with a good expiration date, several bales of good grade alfalfa and an assortment of grains.  These were not starved animals.  These were pampered animals.

When we tried to rescue the animals we were told they had been destroyed.  This one location kill according to their desk person in excess of 4000 rabbits a year.  The clerk admitted they were vegetarians and did not approve of raising rabbits for meat.

Some of the rabbits were bred.  When asked why breeders were not contacted we got this answer .... "Oh, we have tried working with breeders before.  We went to the expense of spaying and neutering the rabbits and called a number of breeders who were not interested in taking them."  I wonder if they know the definition of the term "breeder".

The Humane Society was informed that they had dealt a severe blow to a very rare breed, original lines for both breeds had been totally lost.  Further informed, they were told that it would be beneficial for their staff to become educated about rabbits if they euthanized over 4000 animals a year.  I had been a long time supporter of the humane Society .... not any more.

They not only killed these fine Belgian Hares and Britannia Petites but they took this fine breeders reason for living away.  Should she ever find out what happened to her animals, the shock might kill her.  If she ever reads this, she will know, but breeders must be warned.  It happened to her, it can happen to us.

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