Rabbit rescue underway

Stratford (WTNH) - Three times in three weeks, rabbits were abandoned at a barn in Easton. A dozen the first week. Another dozen the next. Then 21 rabbits and five guinea pigs, and many are in need of serious medical help.

It's still a riddle as to who tossed the furry pets aside, but News Channel 8 discovered the practice is more common than one may think.

One rabbit was a full grown Netherland dwarf breed, and she doesn't have a name because she may not make it. She was among the 21 rabbits abandoned.

"[They were found]in the snow, in little milk crates with wire tops on them," said caretaker Brandee Lacava, of Hop Along Hollow.

Lacava has been nursing them back to health at one of the few rabbit shelters in the state. Hop Along Hollow has facilities in Norwalk and here in Stratford. They take in guinea pigs, chinchillas and of course, rabbits of all shapes and sizes.

But there's not much room, and what's called "rabbit dumping" is becoming an increasingly bigger concern across the state. Bunnies are the third most popular pet, but they have some odd, and often unknown behaviors. You have to let them choose their own partner. Once they do, they mate for life. But they're extremely territorial.

"If you take any two rabbits and just put them together," Lacava said, "more than likely, they'll fight to the death."

Also, despite how cute they are, they're not good with kids.

Once they reach hormonal stage, the females will attack if you go into their cage," Lacava said.

Rabbit rescuers are now launching a campaign called "Make Mine Chocolate". They say for Easter, get a chocolate bunny instead.

"Towards the end of the summer, once all the baby bunnies start hitting three to four months of age and puberty sets in," Lacava said. "It's rabbit dumping season."

Hop Along Hollow is a non-profit group that exists entirely on donations, so taking in huge numbers of rabbits is hard. The condition the Easton bunnies were in was particularly bad. If you have any information on who is responsible, you're asked to call Easton Police.