Did Flo Rida brutally kill a rabbit?

Flo Rida is being sought by police after he and his entourage allegedly brutally killed a rabbit beside his bus in Kentucky. Lexington police aren't sure if Flo was directly involved, but they are searching for his tour bus after witnesses saw a group of men walk off the bus with a rabbit in hand, kill it, and then leave. Police are expected to catch up with Flo Rida in Columbus, OH, as he is currently on tour behind his upcoming album, R.O.O.T.S.


Source:
http://www.prefixmag.com/news/flo-rida-accused-of-animal-cruelty/27189/

Fire kills 140 cats, 3 dogs and numerous small animals at animal shelter

A fire swept through the Humane Society of Durham Region shelter early Wednesday, leaving about 180 animals dead, police said.  (The website for the shelter states the number of animals killed are 

In its wake, those who cared for and loved the animals inside were heartbroken. Teen volunteers could only hug each other, sob and place flowers outside the charred, boarded-up building on Wednesday afternoon.

"I was the investigator. I brought in the animals that were abused," said Debby Houghton.

"A lot of these animals were abused in Durham region. They were starving or neglected and came here to be safe," she said, her voice cracking with emotion.

Another woman noted that many of the animals had to fight to stay alive, only to die from the heat, smoke and flames.

Fire had engulfed the building when firefighters arrived about 2:30 a.m.

Emergency crews managed to save nine dogs, a rat and two cats from the building, located on Waterloo Street in Oshawa. About 140 cats died from smoke inhalation, as did three dogs and about 40 small animals including some rabbits and a guinea pig.

The damage to the building is extensive, police said in a news release.

"The building suffered extensive fire and smoke damage estimated at approximately $250,000," it said. "The cause of the fire has not been determined and remains under investigation."

The animals that were saved were sheltered in police vehicles until officers with Oshawa Animal Services arrived to rescue them.

The pets are now at a 24-hour animal hospital in Whitby where they are being examined.

"This is a horrific event and our hearts go out to the Humane Society of Durham Region," says Kate MacDonald, CEO of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

"The SPCA will be assisting the Humane Society in any way we can during this emotional time."

http://toronto.ctv.ca 

Donate to the shelter or attend one of their fundraisers. 

Petco Stops Selling Rabbits!!

NEW YORK -- Petco is now hopping to a different tune, as it announced it will cease rabbit sales, and only facilitate adoptions, after Jan. 1, 2009.

All of the rabbits in Petco stores at the start of the new year will still be eligible to find forever homes, just through an expanded adoption program.

"Moving to an all-adoption approach with rabbits is the right thing to do," Petco CEO Jim Myers said in a Nov. 17 release.

"We believe it's good for the animals, good for our business and is consistent with our Think Adoption First philosophy, in which we encourage prospective pet parents to consider adopting an animal rather than purchasing one."

Petco already has an adoption program instated for dogs and cats at its stores, and has partially worked to facilitate rabbit adoptions, as well.

The policy shift is likely to welcome an increased level of partnership with various animal-welfare agencies and local rescue groups, with which Petco already has partnerships, according to the release.

Rabbits, the third most popular companion animal in the United States, have been available for purchase at roughly a third of Petco's 950 stores in recent years. The remaining rabbits were processed through the company's adoption system, according to The SmallAnimalChannel News Division.

Petco already has "strong relationships" with about 70 rabbit adoption groups, including the Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society and the San Diego House Rabbit Society, according to its release.

The franchise will seek to further these relationships, as well as establishing additional partnerships to assist in facilitating more adoptions.

Petco will also work to provide more habitat housing for adoptable rabbits in store, as well as caring for and feeding them.

The announcement has drawn praise from the Humane Society of the United States, which noted the apt timing of the program, given the spike of rabbit births in the springtime.

"The phaseout of rabbit sales by Petco is a great step forward to help homeless, adoptable rabbits across the country," said Adam Goldfarb, an HSUS issues specialist, in a Dec. 4 HSUS release.

"Rabbits are the third-most commonly surrendered animal to shelters after dogs and cats."

By replacing sales with adoptions, Petco, one of the largest pet supply chains in the country, can serve to curb homelessness and surrender rates, the HSUS said.

http://www.zootoo.com/petnews/forsalenomorepetcoadoptsnewrab-1061 

Buy stuffed animal rabbits or chicks for easter, not real ones!

Easter brings thoughts of brightly colored eggs, candy, rabbits and chicks. Their images are everywhere; on candy packages, commercials, and even greeting cards. They are cute and it’s no wonder that children would want one of their own. When buying or adopting these animals, people fail to recognize the animals will still be in their house long after the Easter excitement is over. Once that excitement is over, some people let them out in the wild where they will likely succumb to predators, cruel humans or cars, among other dangers. Human raised animals cannot and will not survive in the wild. The other alternative of relinquishing them to a shelter risks the danger of euthanasia.

This Easter, buy stuffed animals or candy bunnies and chicks. Raising a rabbit or a chick is a big responsibility. The ASPCA recommends that if children are especially excited at the thought of having a rabbit or chick as a pet; include a book or two about how to take care of them in their Easter basket and make a decision later about adopting. After the holiday, they may no longer want a rabbit.

Adopting an animal is not a decision to be made on a whim. You are adopting an animal that may live as long as 10 years and require as much work as a cat or dog, the House Rabbit Society reports.

It is important to know the facts associated with the care of rabbits and chicks:
• Rabbits start to chew, spray and dig in adolescence if not neutered.
• Your home must be “bunny-proofed” to prevent the rabbit from chewing cords and furniture.
• Rabbits are not low maintenance pets and are not a good choice for children to take care of without the assistance of an adult.
• Rabbits need to live indoors, with the family.
• Rabbits are very sensitive animals and feel frightened and insecure when being held and restrained.
• Chicks require special feeding, care, and consistent temperatures and when this is lacking they face death.
• According to cdc.gov, chicks often carry harmful bacteria called Salmonella.



Sources:
Rabbit.org
Cdc.gov