Currently, the City of Kingston is actively considering the creation of a by-law that would restrict the sale of certain animals in pet stores. The creation of this by-law will be discussed and debated in January 2013.
Kingston Animal Rescue strongly believes that rabbits should be included in any by-law that is created. Rabbits have life spans similar to dogs and cats, can produce a large number of offspring, have specialized care requirements and are often promoted as impulse gifts for Easter. They are the third most abandoned animal in shelters and rescues.
Rabbits MUST be protected and included in any by-law restricting the sale of animals in Kingston pet stores! There is little time left so please act now: sign and share!
Dear City of Kingston Councilors,
We the undersigned strongly encourage the inclusion of rabbits in any by-law restricting the sale of non-rescue/shelter animals in Kingston pet stores.
Rabbits are the third most frequently abandoned animals in humane societies and shelters, behind only cats and dogs. With life spans of 10 or more years and requiring specialized care, owning a rabbit requires a serious commitment and it should not be undertaken on impulse, as pet store sales encourage.
Since Kingston Animal Rescue formed in 2010, we have rescued more than 80 rabbits. More than 40% of these rabbits were under one year of age indicating that they were likely purchased without serious thought. Additionally, rabbits are often promoted as Easter gifts, as was the case in spring 2012 when Pet Paradise in Kingston promoted a free rabbit with cage purchase over the Easter weekend.
Rabbits have a gestation period of 28-36 days and can become pregnant immediately after giving birth. The sale of just two rabbits that are not spayed/neutered can quickly lead to many, many unwanted rabbits. All rabbits in the care of our organization are spayed or neutered prior to adoption, a service not offered by pet stores. Including the sale of rabbits in a by-law restricting pet store sales would have a significant impact on the number of unwanted rabbits in our community.
We strongly encourage City Council to ban the sale of non-rescue/shelter dogs, cats and rabbits in Kingston pet stores.
