Foster homes with carrots needed
Rabbits are one of the most popular pets in Montreal, but they are often the most neglected, too

KAREN SEIDMAN, The Gazette
Published: Thursday, August 03, 2006

There is no question that Kathleen Logan's bunnies keep her hopping.
Not only is Logan a devoted owner of five rabbits and a foster mother to two others, but she has launched what she believes is the first Montreal-based Rabbit Rescue to help find homes for abandoned bunnies.

"I felt something had to be done because rabbits are the third most popular pet (in Montreal), but they are also the most neglected," said Logan, who lives in Pierrefonds. "People buy them for Easter and then they end up in shelters."

She launched her Rabbit Rescue last weekend with an adoption clinic at the Plaza Pointe Claire shopping centre. Although there were no adoptions, Logan said she has heard from some potential volunteers.

With money for her Rabbit Rescue in short supply, she also plans to start a non-profit business building websites and will use the money from that venture to fund the Rabbit Rescue.
"I've had rabbits as pets for 10 years and they are so wonderful," Logan said. "They have delightful personalities and can be extremely affectionate."

In fact, her first bunny came to her in a fateful way on a Pierrefonds street about 10 years ago.
"I was driving home in the dark and as I turned the corner, a black and white bunny suddenly appeared in the headlights," Logan recalled. She approached the rabbit, wondering if it would flee as she neared it.

"But the bunny was so scared that she jumped into my arms," Logan said.
She looked for ads for lost bunnies but never saw one, so she kept the rabbit, which she named Moomoo Bunnylips. She had never had a rabbit before but learned about them and just kept acquiring more bunnies.

She moved to Toronto for about six years and [volunteered for] a Rabbit Rescue there.
When she came back to the West Island, she decided to start the same kind of service here, too.
Logan said she resents the fact many people buy rabbits as cute pets for their children but aren't committed to caring for them.

"Soon no one wants to look after it so they get rid of it," Logan said. "Often, rabbits are found outdoors - but they are domestic animals and shouldn't be left out like that because they don't have the means to cope."

Logan said she is hoping to set up a network of foster homes for rabbits that will keep the animals until a permanent home is found. She has the help of a few foster families but needs to find more volunteers because she believes as the service gets known, a lot of people will want to use it to get rid of their rabbits.

"Right now, we need people who will be fosters, make donations or adopt a bunny," Logan said. "It's a great experience.

One you have a bunny, you can't not like them."
For information about volunteering or adopting a rabbit, call 514-472-0451 or go to www.secourslapins.org

kseidman@thegazette.canwest.com

The Gazette (Montreal) 2006