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The Responsible Animal Care Society (TRACS) is reminding Kelowna residents to keep an eye out for bunnies and animals that are left out in the cold at this time of the year.
Photo Credit: TRACS
The registered, non-profit charity looks after rescue animals and works to promote awareness about animals and exploitation. Back in 2008/2009 TRACS was contracted out by the City of Kelowna to help round up and sterilize feral bunnies that were taking over the city. While 800 of those rabbits were taken in by the organization, there are still a fews sightings around Kelowna.
Cyndy Mymka, president of TRACS says there are still 700 of the rabbits in their care, with several up for adoption.
Photo Credit: TRACS
“The city had contracted a company to cull the rabbits and they culled 567 rabbits and we proposed to round up the remaining and we did,” explains Mymka. “Between heavily pregnant females as well as ones that were on the street, when everything was said and done we captured about 800 rabbits. We have a group of young ones that are currently adoptable.”
The rabbits available for adoption are about six to eight months old and have been sterilized. The other bunnies will not be adopted out because they are getting older and they have established family pods. These remaining rabbits are cared for by TRACS in different locations throughout the city. But the cost to maintain care for these rabbits is estimated to be around $5,000 per month.
Photo Credit: TRACS
“We have established a few vets that are remarkable and provide us with great deals for the animals,” adds Mymka. “We fundraise in a variety of ways including taking in recycling, our Rabbits of Kelowna calendars, yard sales and raffles. But there are only so many fundraising dollars out there and available to us.”
Mymka says they are always in need of donations, but more so volunteers. There are still 700 rabbits in their care and TRACS currently works with about 15 volunteers. People who are willing to clean pens, food runs, sell raffle tickets and just provide help are needed every single day.
Photo Credit: TRACS
For more information about TRACS or how to become involved with the charity visit their website.
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