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Easter Weekend Rescue Saves Nearly 60 Rabbits

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March 24, 2008

ATLANTIC COUNTY, N.J. -– Just in the nick of time, dozens of rabbits being bred and sold in New Jersey were rescued on the eve of Easter Sunday.

The Atlantic County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals removed 57 rabbits from an Egg Harbor Township residence on Saturday, where conditions were deplorable, officials said.

According to officials, the elderly resident was breeding and selling the rabbits in the Garden State when he apparently became overwhelmed with the care of so many animals.

The man has not yet received any summonses for keeping the rabbits in cramped cages, without adequate food and water, or bedding to keep them warm.

Many of the rabbits were in need of medical attention, reported officials.

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cruelty & abuse, small pets

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Amy P.
Amy P. (mimi8778)
1 year ago
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Stories like this are terrible, yet I am glad to see that they were rescued! Hopefully they find good homes with rabbit educated people who will love them and give them proper care.
 
Ali M.
Ali M. (AliM)
1 year ago
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This is why i love people!!
I read all these stories of how these 3 guys tortured cats, and how SOOO many people abuse their animals, then this
AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING
thank you
 
becky t.
becky t. (moonstonefire3)
1 year ago
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awww those poor rabbits! Thats why and how i got my rabbits .they where saved from from neglect! By a girl who saved then. then giving to my sons as a gift. they have grown all their fur back and are at a waight they should be,and are doing well.
 
Jess
Jess (lovelyjewel)
1 year ago
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This man obviously didnt do his research on caring, and breeding rabits, he would have reliesed he has to carefully monitor his bucks and does. Either way he shouldnt be breeding for easter, most of those bunnys are in animal shelters now.
 
threerabbits
threerabbits
1 year ago
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I really wish people would stop thinking of rabbits as toys and disposable pets that are appropriate gifts for children on easter
 
Liz
Liz (PurrPurrsMom)
1 year ago
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I think rabbits are one of the most abused and neglected pets.
 
Kyle B.
Kyle B. (bunyluvr)
1 year ago
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People should only buy a rabbit if they are going to care for it like they would another human. Rabbits make wonderful pets and can be "pottie" trained like any other animal. They also have little personalities especially when it comes to needing attention!!!
 
Sadiegirl3703
Sadiegirl3703
1 year ago
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People are so stupid
 
shannon c.
shannon c. (shan211)
1 year ago
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i think that the guy needs to be fined or charged with something major. people keep doing these kinds of things and the states just don't have strong enough laws for any type of animal cruelty. hopefully one day people will get educated more on rabbits and realize they have feelings just as well as any animal does. nobody deserves to be locked in a cage just to make a dime. just glad to hear that 57 bunnies got lucky and hopefully wil find a good home!
 
Shanna T.
Shanna T. (diablo72187)
1 year ago
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i agree.

i hate easter more than any holiday in the year
because it reminds me that thousands of little bunnies are being bought
to be sad little easter presents that will be forgotten in a hutch
behind someone's house where they will
live out the rest of their little lives very lonely
and most of the time, horribly neglected.
 
paige f.
paige f. (petsforever)
1 year ago
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im glad they were rescued!
 
Chifontae T.
Chifontae T. (SexyC9487)
1 year ago
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Really a blessing!
 
alexis93
alexis93
1 year ago
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poor bunnies
 
Mittensmom
Mittensmom
1 year ago
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This is exactly way untrained and inexperienced breeders should not even bother going into business. Eventually things will get out of hand due to the bredder's inability to care for the animals. The animals are always the ones that pay. I'm just happy that these bunnies were rescued before they could become emaciated and died of Lord knows what.
 
Cynthia B.
Cynthia B. (CynthiaBuechler)
1 year ago
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that good there saved!
 
Mumzy
Mumzy
1 year ago
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i love lop eared bunnies!
 
Renee B.
Renee B. (reneebar)
1 year ago
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some people only think about the dollar sign and not about the animals. Thank goodness they got those bunnies out of there and can find them good homes.
 
tiffany k.
tiffany k. (crazycatlady82)
1 year ago
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i agree, he had way too many to take care of. he should have known better, but maybe he was senile.
 
Sarah B.
Sarah B. (sbutler1976)
1 year ago
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57 rabbits are you kidding? That is a crap load of rabbits to take care of not to mention they breed like you know whats! What was the old guy thinking? Dumb if you ask me. He was probably just trying to make some $$ no thinking of the animals. I am glad the animals were removed from the bad situation. How did they find them? Did a neighbor call in? Now they have to try to find forever loving homes for all the rabbits after they receive the care they need. Can you spay or neuter a rabbit @ the vets like you do a cat or dog? I would like to think you could.
 
Amanda R.
Amanda R. (arhoads)
1 year ago
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House rabbits are just like dogs and cats. They play and bond with their owners. I wish people understood that. AND don't buy them for Easter gifts especially without asking first!!
 
87Peace87
87Peace87
1 year ago
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Hmm...this was an unusual topic. On the one hand; like terrae01 said, animals shouldn't be bred to make money. I wonder if the elderly man will be convicted....? Afterall, he kept them in tight cages, without bedding, food, or water. Why would he do that, and then not get help if he was "overwhelmed" as the article says? Yet he is elderly...maybe he had a memory problem, and he couldn't remember to give them enough food, water, or bedding. Or at least change it!
 
terrae01
terrae01
1 year ago
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This is why people should not breed animals to make money. They don't know what they are doing and don't do things right. Poor bun buns!
 
Katherine H.
Katherine H. (Herndon)
1 year ago
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I've had two house rabbits in my life time and adored both of them. One was found running from dogs and was rescued by a home health worker and them given to me. The other had a number tattoed on his ear and he was left at the gate of the local H. S. My first rabbit had died a few years before and the H. S. called me and asked me to adopt him. Unfortunately most rabbits are not so fortunate. It is horrific the way many people get rabbits and are in la la land about the required care or just plain old sorry excuses for people. These people breed and breed and these animals typically get very little of anything. They are caged in tiny overcrowded boxes and the ones I've seen were nasty and many of the rabbits had already died at one place. Those dead rabbits were just found here and there thrown out onto the yard or adjoining field. That case was one of the most upsetting things I've ever seen in my life. Rabbits get treated like they are worth no more than a spent piece of toilet paper so much of the time. I guess there is a market for them of these demons wouldn't have them in the first place. If you don't eat rabbits, there is no market for them. Also be loud about protesting any fair, carnival, flea market, etc. that sells them. PLEASE
 
angieluv
angieluv
1 year ago
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Stories like this are way too common. I am VERY glad the rabbits were saved but in so many cases the animals live this way their entire short lives without intervention.
 
John H.
John H. (DoggoneJohn)
1 year ago
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We raised rabbits when I was young, and while looking for breeding stock we found many rabbit farms with worse conditions than you can imagine. One of the few animals that are both farm stock and pets, rabbits at least deserve clean and humane conditions.
 
d g.
d g. (kandykitty20012)
1 year ago
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suppose to be NONSENSE......not nonscience.
 
d g.
d g. (kandykitty20012)
1 year ago
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Over breeding and not be able to take care of is just nonscience....glad all the bunnies were rescued.
 
deborah m.
deborah m. (moggyjack)
1 year ago
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Can any nut just breed and sell animals? Maybe this is a rural areas without oversight and neighbors to complain. What a sin. Man is probably not evil just very stupid and ignorant.
 
r h.
r h. (persebunny)
1 year ago
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Education is so key. I'm sure everyone here who has done any bunny research or consultation, anyone who has dealt with bunny adoption and rescue as I have feels strongly about this issue. I can only hope we can keep spreading the word about these wonderful creatures of God so that things like this don't keep happening year in, year out on Easter, a time for celebration and rejoicing, not for a ill-advised impulse pet purchase with no sense of consequence. Breeders and the public need to be educated and accountable.
 
Renee61
Renee61
1 year ago
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Oh, boy. As a rabbit lover and proud rabbit rescue mom, I've heard all about this stuff for a very long time. It does need to be driven into people's heads that bunnies are wonderful pets but they're a cute, stuffed animal accessory to your Easter basket. You need to be a PARENT to a pet. Next time you hear someone talking about getting an "Easter bunny", direct them to Make Mine Chocolate! www.makeminechocolate.org
 
Spring
Spring
1 year ago
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The only way we can stop these kind of things is educating people about looking beyond a cute gift for Easter or thinking of them as and "easy pet". Also avoiding back yard breeders and only getting their animals from reliable shelters who spay and neuter.. or getting it done yourself. I'd love for everyone commenting and wanting to help, for next Easter, even if you aren't a rabbit owner, if someone is telling you about getting a rabbit as an Eater gift, educate them! We can solve everything with education.
 
amykady
amykady
1 year ago
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So sad to hear all these stories about people who have but don't care for the pets they are responsible for. We hear so many stories about this type of neglect and abuse, like animals are property or not worth the time and effort they take. I hope that in hearing these we all become more active in getting the word out and doing all we can to help stop this!
 
ladydog
ladydog
1 year ago
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What is wrong with people! You've gotta be really bad to not love and care for a bunny--how much cuter can you get? And at Easter time?
 
Robin L.
Robin L. (little726)
1 year ago
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Why do people get animals they can't care for?
 
tijya l.
tijya l. (tijya)
1 year ago
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I'm glad the rabbits are safe now. I wish more people were aware of proper rabbit care, and of the joys these cute little creatures can bring into your life. My two bunnies make me smile every day. They have such distinct personalities.
 
bushadvisor
bushadvisor
1 year ago
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I agree. Before I got my rabbit, Coco, I had no idea that these little guys had such distinct personalities. They really are just like cats or dogs in that respect.
 
Nikki G.
Nikki G. (Nikki1808)
1 year ago
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i wish more people around the world would have the heart to save animals..this makes them feel good about themselves and lets the animals know they are safe..they wont get hurt..im glad they were rescued
 
Emily G.
Emily G. (emilygouvas)
1 year ago
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I wish there were more laws pertaining to the breeding of animals. Rabbits require a little more care as we learned when we had one as a pet.
 
Beagle100
Beagle100
1 year ago
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I'm so glad they were able to save these rabbits. And just in time too.
 
Jessica W.
Jessica W. (cocacola555)
1 year ago
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glad the rabbits were found!
 
laura b.
laura b. (laurab2)
1 year ago
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OUR SPCA WONT LET RABBITS OUT ON EASTER
 
ladytram
ladytram
1 year ago
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glad they are safe now
 
Patricia Y.
Patricia Y. (littlerdhen)
1 year ago
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Happy the rabbits are safe. I am sure the owner was overwhelmed.
 
tinar
tinar
1 year ago
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glad the rabbits are safe.
 
JAG
JAG
1 year ago
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Hurray for the bunnies. I hope the word continues to grow that rabbits take a lot of care and they aren't just a toy.
 
Amanda H.
Amanda H. (apandalee)
1 year ago
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I'm so glad these rabbits were saved and am sad for all the other rabbits who were purchased as impluse buys for Easter and will probably be abandoned soon :(
 
Linda
Linda (linderly)
1 year ago
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If people wouldn't think it's CUTE to get live rabbits for the easter baskets, people like this breeder would stop because there's no money in it.
 
Debbie H.
Debbie H. (Pixel)
1 year ago
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Rabbits are the third most popular pet in America and "backyard" breeders is as much a problem for rabbits as for dogs and cats. I can attest that rabbits take more care than dogs or cats since I've had some of each during my life. Rabbits are much more delicate.
 
BlueSkyAcresRabbitry
BlueSkyAcresRabbitry
1 year ago
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I'm glad those rabbits are safe and not in some persons' home to be abandoned and forgotten. :) I can only hope they find good, forever homes :)
 
kelly r.
kelly r. (junebug88fan)
1 year ago
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What a terrible thing! It's hard to believe how fast things can get out of hand. I'm so glad they saved the bunnies.
 
hbronecke
hbronecke
1 year ago
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Glad the rabbits are safe. Thank goodness.
 
JazzG
JazzG
1 year ago
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Hurray for the rabbits, just in time for Easter.
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