Record Number Of Rabbits Need Homes In DuPage County

WHEATON, IL — A record number of rabbits need homes in DuPage County, after dozens of the small animals were surrendered to DuPage County Animal Services in recent weeks.

Brian Krajewski Chairman of DuPage County's Animal Services Committee told Patch the facility is currently caring for 71 rabbits. Typically, they usually house eight to 10 rabbits at a time, Krajewski said.

He said some rabbits are being housed in empty dog cages due to a lack of space.

“People get [rabbits] as pets, and they have two. Next thing they know they have a litter, and then they have 10 to 12," Krajewski explained. He added that baby rabbits can breed at a fairly young age, so people often end up with yet another litter if they don't separate the offspring in time.

Another issue, Krajewski said, is that people often purchase rabbits as a "cheap, impulse buy" without considering the care that goes into raising a bunny. As a result, the bunnies will wind up arriving at DuPage County Animal Services with untrimmed nails and urine stains on their fur. The bunnies are also often on an improper diet.

Krajewski added that DuPage County Animal Services accommodates rabbits when other nearby government facilities cannot. The facility recently took in more than three dozen rabbits that had been seized from a hotel room in Schaumburg because Cook County Animal Control could not accommodate them.

“We’ll jump in and help when we can," Krajewski told Patch, "Our facility is looked at statewide and nationally for our very good programs and very good rescue partners.”

DuPage County Animal Services is working to get the rabbits spayed and neutered before adopting or fostering them out. Volunteers work with the rabbits to feed and exercise them daily.

How DuPage County Residents Can Help

DuPage County residents can help by adopting or fostering a rabbit from DuPage County Animal Services. The rabbits are spayed or neutered and microchipped before they leave the facility.

The cost to adopt a rabbit from DuPage County Animal Services is $40. Click the link to for more information on how to adopt a bunny.

Residents who are interested in fostering a rabbit should email Dina.Schubert@dupageco.org.

Click the link for more information about rabbit care and behavior.

Krajewski told Patch DuPage County Animal Services is working with its dog rescue partners to help find homes for the remaining rabbits. He added that staff has driven to Michigan before to get an animal into a proper home.

“We’re not going to euthanize any animals at our county facility for lack of space," Krajewski said. He added, "We will go all over to get an animal to a rescue or an adoptive family.”