[ad_1]
What began with the Cadbury Rabbit has become a haven for small critters.
The Warren Peace Bunny Shrine, located on Pelmewash Drive, experienced spontaneous growth following the wild kibble slaughter in Kelowna in 2005, said founder Antoinette Monod.
"I really just wanted a rabbit and my husband brought a rabbit that someone dropped around his shop and I fell in love with that rabbit," she said. Finally, the rabbit died, but Monod wanted another one.
It was at the time Kelowna was cutting rabbits, she said.
"When you let them go and they are not sterilized, they have babies at the age of four or five months. They have babies every month, "she said. "It's a huge multiplication nightmare."
People started to bring him rabbits, who continued to have babies.
"Suddenly, people came to contact me … but I really wanted one. Now we have more than 300, "said Monod.
What keeps her after 13 years is that people continue to release rabbits in the wild, without sterilizing or sterilizing them, she said.
"Most of what we welcome are wild settlements," she said.
People will often bring him some rabbits, but then they will multiply quickly.
"We just made one in Oyama, where a person put some rabbits on the plot of these people and suddenly had two, three litters," she said. "People just do not know where to take them."
The sanctuary accepts all rabbits.
"If we do not do it, it's a rabbit we'll have to trap later, which is much more difficult than just opening our doors," said Monod.
"I think that's why I keep doing it because there is a need … I would like to be able to retire."
The sanctuary has about 700 animals on the property, including guinea pigs, goats, pigs, rats, ferrets, chinchillas, turkeys – all left homeless.
"They deserve to live the rest of their lives with happiness, love and care," said Sanctuary Vice President Amanda Cope.
"My dream, like any rescue or sanctuary, is that we would no longer be needed. This is the ultimate goal, "said Monod.
The second goal is to find someone to take over.
"As an aging person, I have to think, 'can I do that in five years?' "" Said Monod.
She said that in five years, if she did not think she could provide the animals with the same care and support, she would start reducing her animal consumption.
But she has not reached this stage yet.
"We do our best to educate people so that people can learn and not release animals in the wild, rather than taking 10 rabbits, we take a rabbit," said Cope, adding that it made a huge difference .
Last year, the sanctuary experienced some tough times when it was shut down due to a deadly rabbit virus that spread to the Lower Mainland and overland. Vancouver Island.
Vaccines against the virus cost $ 10,000, Monod said. Food costs about $ 1,500 and medical costs $ 3,000 a month.
But the community has shown overwhelming support.
A dozen volunteers also lend Monod a helping hand in cleaning up and writing grant applications, Cope explained.
A GoFundMe began last April for the sanctuary to reach its goal of $ 10,000. Recently, he also won $ 1,000 in Oxbow Animal Health's Great Hay Giveback online contest, which will cover animal hay costs during the winter, Monod said.
The sanctuary came in first place with more than 8,000 votes.
"It really took us out of the park," said Cope.
Monod said her husband, Rick Lake, was shopping for the shrine, which Lake Country residents applauded.
"The idea that whole companies voted for us shows how wonderful the Lake Country community is," said Monod.
Monod was out in the rain on Friday, with a cold – and her birthday – preparing for the Big Pumpkin.
"That's what sanctuary means, that is, you open your doors to those in need," she said. Warren Peace will reopen Easter weekend 2019.
To support the shrine, you can purchase its annual Boys with Buns calendar, available at various locations in Kelowna, Lake Country and Vernon, including Tri Lake Animal Hospital, or contact Monod online for a schedule at warrenpeacebunnysanctuary.org.
One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the running costs of the sanctuary.
[email protected]
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
[ad_2]
Source link
