The scene is always heartbreaking – a sobbing pet owner, cradling a beloved animal companion, comes into an animal shelter to surrender a pet. But it’s happening every day now at some shelters, where the number of surrendered dogs and cats has doubled. The numbers are even higher for rabbits.
“Part of it is people not being able to afford vet care,” Dunn says. “The bigger issue is the lack of affordable housing. People are often unable to find housing or to find rentals that allow pets. Specifically in Oakland, a lot of what landlords call ‘pet friendly’ really isn’t. Many that allow pets, don’t allow large dogs or specific breeds.”
“It’s a situation we see all the time,” Dunn says. “The landlord tells them they are going to be evicted if they don’t get rid of the animal. Many people don’t have the flexibility to move or to find a place that does accept pets. They come in heartbroken. These are people who are surrendering animals who have no other choice.”Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA,“It’s been pretty steady, except for small animals – rabbits and guinea pigs,” says communications director Buffy Martin Tarbox.
works closely with the Oakland Animal Shelter, which has more than 40 rabbits in its menagerie. Richmond’s House of Rabbits, another rescue group, has 76.“Our adoptions aren’t making a dent,” Webner says. “For every rabbit adopted, there are three taking their place. Adoption interest has suddenly waned. Instead of emails from potential adopters, we are flooded with people who want to surrender their pets or need placement for a stray they rescued running loose in their neighborhood.