(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- An animal rescue organization is putting out a call for more adoptive homes and donations, especially after a rabbit hoarding discovery in the northwest suburbs this summer.
Erika Seibert, founder of It’s All About The Paws, said her rescue group took in 29 rabbits from the hoarding situation in Schaumburg. A man who lives with his parents in a two-bedroom apartment was found to have dozens of rabbits crammed in cages, malnourished and living in their own filth, she said.
Her group spent $5,000 on supplies and medical costs and will probably spend just as much for them in the future. The group is still looking for more adoptive homes for some of them.
“We’re just trying to keep our heads above water, to be honest. We’re just trying to do what is best for these rabbits. We’re trying to get them all the medical help they need. There’s three foster homes that are very overwhelmed with the amount of rabbits they have,” she said.
Seibert says the man who hoarded the rabbits initially bought two of the animals from a pet store in Hoffman Estates and they multiplied very quickly until there were dozens.
It’s All About The Paws is pushing for a new ordinance in Hoffman Estates that would only allow pet stores to sell pets if they first spay and neuter the animals.
Ninety percent of the rabbits her group rescues come from owner surrenders. People turn the animals over because they can no longer care for them and didn’t realize rabbits need to be able to live outside of cages in homes as dogs and cats do, Seibert said.
Since Easter, 216 rabbits “have been dumped outside,” she said.
It’s All About The Paws continues looking for donations of supplies and money and has an Amazon wish list. It also has its 9th annual fundraiser this weekend at Baker Memorial Park in St. Charles.
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