Montreal, April 14, 2014 – Every year, during Easter holidays, many people adopt rabbits as family pets. Not long after, many rabbits are abandoned in shelters, either because they were impulse decisions or they were unaware of the care that was required. The reality is that the Montreal SPCA receives over 260 rabbits a year, many of which are abandoned after the Easter period. In order to help counter this issue and promote awareness, the Montreal SPCA is holding a special Easter event from Friday April 18th until Sunday April 20th, 2014. We are inviting everyone to come visit our shelter and have the opportunity to transform themselves into foster families!
During these three days, each person interested will be able to leave with the rabbit of their choice while offering him their roof for a minimum of three months! The SPCA will provide food, a cage furnished for all his needs and our counsellors will provide guidance and all the information necessary to take good care of the rabbit. A 100$ deposit will be required and will be refunded upon return to the SPCA. At the end of the foster agreement, of course, families will have the option of making their new companion very happy by adopting him for life!
This is a great opportunity for anyone who is thinking of adopting a rabbit but is still undecided; choosing to bring one home and be a foster family can be a great way to see if they are ready for a life-long engagement. And to discover the wonderful world of rabbits who are extraordinary little companions! While waiting to be adopted, the rabbits staying with the Montreal SPCA would be so glad to take some fresh air during Easter Holidays… or longer.
While planned pet adoptions are great, it’s not always recommended to give pets as “surprise” gifts to friends or family members. Adopting a pet is a big decision and represents a long-term commitment. A rabbit, like any domestic pet, is not a toy; an animal is a living being who has physiological and psychological needs that must be catered to. Many parents believe that Easter is an ideal time to please their children by giving them a rabbit. Or that an “Easter pet” will allow their children to become more responsible. Often the responsibility is too much for a young child, or even some teenagers, and eventually the parents find themselves having to take care of the pet themselves. The decision to adopt an animal affects all family members, so we recommend families to take the time to discuss it together beforehand.
We also want to promote the importance of adopting a pet from a shelter rather than buying one from a pet store or online. Adopting gives a second chance and a home to a healthy animal, while saving lives and helping stop pet overpopulation.
EVENT HOURS
– Friday, April 18: 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm
– Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
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Media contact: Anita Kapuscinska, Media Relations Coordinator, Montreal SPCA, 514-226-3932, or anitak@spca.com
For more information about the Montreal SPCA, please visit our website at www.spca.com
About the Montreal SPCA: The SPCA was the first humane society in Canada, founded in 1869. Guided by the humane ethic, it is the mission of the Montreal SPCA to:
- protect animals against negligence, abuse, and exploitation;
- represent their interests and ensure their well-being;
- raise public awareness and help develop compassion for all living beings.
