Many of you who have written letters to the Minister of Agriculture and your local Member of Parliament (MP) regarding the humane treatment of rabbits raised for food. Some of you have received responses. This is great news because it means that the Minister and the MP's are aware of our concerns! However, it seems that the core message is still not getting through.
The central issue regarding slaughter of food rabbits in Canada is that rabbits are suspended, stunned, then slaughtered (Note that this information comes from Canada's Meat Inspection Regulations). The order of this process is what is inhumane: it would be just as easy for the rabbits to be stunned, then suspended, then slaughtered. Minister Ritz claims in his replies to us that there are laws to ensure that rabbits are treated humanely during the slaughter process. I'm sure you would agree that the stringing up of rabbits by their hind legs before stunning them is not humane. Interestingly, this sequence of events during slaughter is unique to rabbits and birds. Other animals such as pigs and cows are afforded the humanity of being rendered unconscious before being strung up.
The other issue that Minister Ritz has failed to address is the lack of Code of Practice for rabbits. As of yet we have not received a satisfactory reply to the question of when rabbits will be included in the Codes of Practice.
We encourage you to send a polite reply to Minister Ritz requesting a response to your concerns about
1.) the more humane slaughter of rabbits, and
2.) a timeline for including rabbits in the Codes of Practice.
Thank you. Together we can make a difference!
In Canada, there are
no laws that require that livestock rabbits receive minimum amounts of food, water, space, air regular supervision, sensible handling or effective health care.
NOW is the time for you to make a difference for rabbits raised for food in Canada! Just a few minutes of your time will ensure that enough awareness of this issue will be raised for Rabbit Rescue Inc. to be granted a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture. But first
we need 300 letters!
Please go to www.rabbitrescue.ca/care.html for all of the details that you need to write an effective letter to the right people.
Remember to send a copy of your letter to
care@rabbitrescue.caso that we can track the number of letters being sent.
Together we can make a difference for livestock rabbits everywhere! If you have any questions at all please don’t hesitate to ask.
To learn more about the issue, please read our brochure:
http://www.rabbitrescue.ca/images/care.pdf
Rabbit
Rescue at the 2009 All About Pets Show
Rabbit
Rescue thinks Fluffy is very adorable in his recent TV spot!
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We are a "NO KILL" Charity
dedicated to saving lives of those most in need. Rabbit Rescue Inc. is a registered charity dedicated to
finding new homes for domestic rabbits that have been abused,
abandoned or neglected. We work with numerous shelters across
Ontario, as well as individual owners. A large number of rabbits come to us after being turned loose
outside.
We rescue 'last chance' animals, who have run out of time
at shelters in Ontario. Without Rabbit Rescue, these animals
would be euthanized. Working with shelters all across Ontario, we
are able to help hundreds of these animals each year!
Looking to adopt a bunny, hamster or other small
exotic? You have come to the right place!
Why a rabbit? Rabbits make wonderful pets! They are affectionate,
easy to litter train, quiet and can be downright hilarious!
A Member Society of WSPA since May 2007
Rabbit
Rescue Auctions are back and better than ever! We took some
time out to improve our auction site and we are pleased to announce
there are new auctions being listed now! Sign up for an
account to bid on great items and as always, all the proceeds go to
the bunnies.
We have received urgent calls for help from 3 shelters that are
completely full. We can help them but we need foster homes.
If you are in the Southern Ontario area and can help by taking in a
bunny or two, please request a foster application by
email
We have a
network of foster homes stretching from London to Belleville.
If you are in the Toronto and surrounding cities and you can open
your home and heart to a little bunny that needs you, please contact
us.
You can also help by
printing off and posting a flyer at work, your local vet and pet
stores, shelters, anywhere you can:
Read about Rabbit Rescue's bunny
train at the Tim Horton's website.
Become a monthly donor
today!
For less than a cup of coffee, you can help
save bunnies every day! Sign up to become a monthly donor. Its simple as 1-2-3!
Just click the 'Donate!' button to get started!
Please support Etsy seller and Artist, Greg Smith
of Blindpigpress who is donating the proceeds from select artwork to
Rabbit Rescue. Visit his Etsy listing
here.
Your information
will remain confidential. Rabbit Rescue does NOT give or sell our
mailing list to any organization.
SHOP THE RR
STORE!
Visit our online store and start shopping! We have tons of fabulous items for your bunny or small pet! From treats and toys, to merchandise for yourself, the RR store is the place to shop. With all proceeds going to the bunnies, it's a shopping experience you can feel good about!