Quantifying The Shelter Rabbit Population

This study sought to estimate the prevalence of rabbits in animal shelters based on data collection from four shelters in the northeastern U.S. The authors collected current data on rabbits including an estimate of 6.2 million companion rabbits living in U.S. homes. This study found that rabbit intake is driven by owner surrenders; more than three-fourths of intake was due to surrenders, which is much higher than for dogs and cats. Additionally, the vast majority of rabbits included in this study were unaltered. The results suggest a need for better education of people with rabbits as well as access to spay/neuter services for rabbits.

“Scholarly work on the nonhuman animal shelter population has widely focused on cats and dogs. As a result, little is known about the population dynamics of domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in shelters. The records from 4 companion animal shelters in Massachusetts and Rhode Island were analyzed to describe these dynamics. A majority of the rabbits at the 4 shelters were surrendered by their caregivers, were between 1 and 6 years old, and were unaltered at the time of intake. The most common reasons for surrender were the caregivers’ inability to care for the rabbits or a lack of interest in doing so. Over half of the total rabbit population was subsequently adopted and the overall live release rate (percentage of rabbits leaving the shelter alive) was 75.54%. In some cases, the use of a foster care system was correlated with a decrease in the euthanasia rate. The results from this study will help the sheltering field clarify the scope of the problem of homeless rabbits.”

“There are currently an estimated 72 million dogs and 81 million cats who are nonhuman companion animals in the United States, with 6 to 8 million entering animal shelters each year (American Veterinary Medical Association, 2011; Humane Society of the United States, 2009). Although cats and dogs still remain the most popular companion animals, another pet who has become increasingly popular is the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The current estimated United States pet rabbit population is 6.2 million, an increase of almost 1 million since 2001 (Shepherd, 2008). As the caregiving (ownership) of pet rabbits has risen, the rabbit shelter population has risen as well (Cotter, 2001; Humane Society of the United States, 2010). Data on the intake, euthanasia, and adoption rates of shelter rabbits have not been previously collected and therefore the scope of the problem of unwanted rabbits remains largely unknown.”