Easter miracle for border-hopping rabbit after Qld escape
"It’s created a lot of fear, and since then we’ve been inundated with dumped rabbits"
Central & North Burnett
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WHEN Boo the rabbit made his lucky escape from the custody of Queensland Police last week, Grafton's Rabbit Rescue Sanctuary's Kim Cooney had no idea the drama it would cause.
The male bunny made headlines last week when officers from Springwood police station saw the rabbit in a cage as they attended a call for an unrelated incident.
>> RELATED: Rabbit owners try to convince police it's a guinea pig
After attempts from the rabbit's owner to pass Boo off as a long-eared guinea pig, police took the rabbit into custody, because it is illegal to keep rabbits in Queensland.
Thankfully for Boo, his owner made a desperate plea to Ms Cooney for help.
She responded, and on the advice of Ms Cooney, officers took the rabbit to the Animal Emergency Service in Springwood, where a vet drove Boo to the sanctuary at Grafton.
Boo is now in the temporary care of the sanctuary, as his owner looks to relocate to somewhere where she and Boo can live in peace.
Ms Cooney said the downside to all the media exposure was that it had scared rabbit owners north of the border.
"Pet rabbits are being dumped across Queensland because they think the police are coming to their house to take their rabbits," she said.
"It's created a lot of fear, and since then we've been inundated with dumped rabbits. Since Boo made the news we've had hundreds of inquiries from people trying to get us to take their rabbits, so the sanctuary is struggling to cope with all the dumped rabbits."
Ms Cooney said the influx meant the sanctuary was desperate for more foster care volunteers.
"We would love more people to volunteer at the sanctuary, and we supply all the food, equipment and medical expenses if anyone would like to be a foster carer," she said.
"Anyone who is interested can learn how to groom rabbits and care for them out at the sanctuary, and learn how to handle and train rabbits."
Rabbits are classed as a pest in Queensland, with the maximum penalty a $44,000 fine and six months in jail. Any rabbit found must be humanely disposed of, which includes transport over the border.
To become a carer, visit www.rabbitrescue.com.au.
Originally published as Easter miracle for border-hopping rabbit after Qld escape
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