Posts Tagged ‘ Watseka ’

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has overturned the seizure of the Watseka rabbits.  117 rabbits have been returned to Paul Craft. Craft is the breeder from whom the rabbits were seized by licensed state of Illinois humane investigators.  Sixteen Indiana HRS volunteers donated in excess of 200 on-site hours caring for this very special group of rabbits on March 3, 10, and 24th.  This does not take into account the 5 hours of travel time (from Indianapolis) each trip required.  This also does not take into account the weekday trips our Northwest Indiana volunteers made after work many days.

There are several rabbits currently available for adoption.  The group of breeders that removed the 117 rabbits has a subset of rabbits that are currently being treated for upper respiratory infections that will be placed for adoption to experienced rabbit caregivers.  South Suburban Humane Society has 41 rabbits that were ill at the initial confiscation available for adoption.

The judge has awarded custody of *all* Watseka rabbits to the South Suburban Humane Society, which is great news. The breeder has 48 hours to appeal the judgement.

Until this is resolved, SSHS will need assistance caring for the rabbits at the shelter. We are planning another trip the weekend of March 24-25 if local volunteer support cannot be arranged.

More information to follow as it becomes available…