The County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control is currently in the process of rescuing rabbits from the Island at Alondra Park which have been illegally abandoned by irresponsible pet owners. DACC and the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation are working together to safely remove the rabbits from the island.
Speculation and rumors regarding poor care and inhumane treatment of the rabbits are untrue. DACC and the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation have been monitoring and caring for the rabbits on the island, and will continue to provide food and water to the remainder of the rabbits that inhabit the park until all are removed. DACC and the Department of Parks and Recreation are working together to enhance fences, place signage, install cameras, and are taking all measures to ensure that no additional rabbits are illegally abandoned. DACC would like to advise pet owners that it is a misdemeanor, (punishable by a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail) to abandon an animal in Los Angeles County.
In the meantime, DACC is seeking help from the public to open their hearts to adopt these rabbits and the many other rabbits in County animal care centers. As rabbits are removed from the island, DACC will take them into the Carson animal care center where they will receive a medical evaluation, examination, and be spayed or neutered. To encourage rabbit adoptions, DACC will discount rabbit adoptions to $25, beginning today and will continue this special adoption program through the end of the year. The $25 is a flat fee and includes the adoption and sterilization fee. DACC will also host rabbit adoption events at its South County animal care centers in the near future working in conjunction with approved rabbit adoption partners.
Rabbits are generally low maintenance animals and require the same amount of attention and socialization as a cat or dog. They need regular interaction with humans in order to stay socialized. They also require about one hour each day out of their cage (can be indoors, as long as there is enough sun-lit space) to play and exercise. Rabbits can also be easily litter box trained, making them perfect pets for apartments or small homes.
If you are interested in adopting a rabbit, visit one of DACC’s animal care centers:
* Agoura: 29525 Agoura Road, Agoura 91301
* Baldwin Park: 4275 N. Elton St., Baldwin Park 91706
* Carson/Gardena: 216 W. Victoria St., Gardena 90248
* Castaic: 31044 N. Charlie Canyon Road., Castaic 91384
* Downey: 11258 S. Garfield Ave., Downey 90242
* Lancaster: 5210 W. Ave. I, Lancaster 93536
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14 Comments
What are your sources? This article is FULL of misinformation. The photos you used are STOLEN property of TMB. Interesting that a journalist has no respect for copyrights.
wait – where did the comment I left earlier go?
I am Linda Baley – The Rabbit rescuer who cleaned off the island taking every rabbit in the winter of 2007 – that is my picture above. thsi story is misleading at best and irresponsible and untrue at worst. We rescuers have been BEGGING the county to clean up this attractive nuisance for teh last 20+ years. The public BELIEVES this is THE PLACE to dump bunnies and w/o community education will continue doing so. As far as taking rabbits to the shelters- RABBITS DIE AT SHELTERS – The Carson shelter had not adopted out 15 bunnies to the public this entire year and I would be surprised if they have in any year previous. currently the county is not allowing rescuers like myself on the island at all becase we take pictures and document and hold them responsible for what goes on on their property. For video and pics of waht really happens at ALondra Park I suggest this video not taken by me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_amkXNouOrI
and these pics
http://www.facebook.com/TooManyBunniesRabbitRescue/photos_stream
I encourage anyone with quetions to contact me at 714 264 4241 or linda@toomanybunnies.com
this is labelled as a press release.
and here’s what REALLY happens at ACC…
http://www.examiner.com/article/alleged-abuse-committed-by-the-los-angeles-county-department-of-animal-care-and-control
and HERE:
http://lacdacc.blogspot.com/search/label/Spinal%20Monday
This is not only misleading but also contains a lot of untruths.
They have also ignored my questions about who all these ‘Approved Rescue Partners’ are? nor have they commented to the following:
So
does this mean any and all rabbits you remove from the island will be
kept until adopted or Dec. 31st 2012 which ever comes first? You will
not put any of these animals down due to health issues and get them all
the medical treatment just as the ‘Rescues’ would do? That’s why the
rescue tried to work out arrangements with you so that the sick but
treatable animals wouldn’t just be put down.
Can they be spayed/neutered and contained in a low maintenance ‘rabbitat’ and kept in the park? They’re an attraction, aren’t they?
Rabbits are not low maintenance pets. They require a special vet and a home willing to cater to their special needs. They are social, intelligent and need attention. These rabbits e going to a high kill shelter, correct? Are they all going to be placed in homes or sanctuarys? If euthanized, are they under aanestesia first? As reccomended for rabbits?
Rabbits are NOT low-maintenance pets & require caretakers who are well-versed about their special dietary, health and grooming needs. I encourage LA’s DACC & Dpt. of Parks and Recreation to welcome the expertise of rabbit rescue groups instead of pretending that they are working with “approved” rabbit adoption partners who they will not name. A civilized society should deal compassionately with its people and animals & I encourage everyone to work together to save every life possible at Alondra Park.
Yes, rescue groups working in tandem with the Park is the only way these rabbits can be helped. Both sides will get a lot further in that regard if neither are combative. Its understandable that people care deeply about these little innocents, but sometimes passion can get in the way of rescue. There isn’t a perfect solution, both sides have to focus on doing the best they can.
Is someone able to follow up on the brown rabbit in the 2 photos?
It appears as though he has a neutrological issue or perhaps the start of a hea tilt. I don’t know which shelter he is from.
HOUSE rabbits are not low maintenance pets. To argue against putting rabbits who are already abandoned in a safer situation then they are in now, isn’t going to help a lot of rabbits. You can rehome a few dozen to homes, but rather than send the rest to crappy shelters and/or euthanize, I think you’ll find that they will be low maintenance and extremely happy with a properly set up enclosure. You may not be able to get vet care for every ailment — although that’s up to the success of a rescue effort whether that many resources can be amassed — but the vast majority will be healthy and happy.
As noted, this is a press release from the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care & Control. The photos are from same.