APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – Appleton Police are looking for the person who left two domesticated rabbits in a box in a city park this week.
Taking care of any pet can be a major responsibility – and will cost money. But under state law, no matter what happens when you have a pet, you’re responsible for it.
“If you’re not able to take care of a pet, you still have that responsibility to get it to somewhere where it can be taken care of,” says Appleton Humane Officer Matt Fillebrown, “It’s your responsibility by law to find an appropriate place for it.”
If you’re struggling to properly care for a pet, there are a lot of options to find the care it needs. But Fillebrown says abandoning them is not one of those options. Fillebrown suggests talking to a veterinarian or other animal caretaker if possible.
“Work with them to say ‘hey I can’t take care of the pet, what are my options?’ – They can surrender it to the vet, the Fox Valley Humane Association, or a rescue. A lot of rescues will just take the animal, no questions asked,” Fillebrown says.
There are still times where money comes into the equation. Some veterinarians and humane societies charge surrender fees.
“Some places do it for free. Some places might charge. And the problem we run into with a lot of people is just not having the money. That’s why they can’t take care of these pets as it is,” Fillebrown tells WTAQ News, “A lot of people don’t want to pay that, and they just go ahead and dump it somewhere. Which seems to be the case with the rabbits.”
According to a Facebook post, the two black rabbits were taken to the Fox Valley Humane Association and are doing well. Anyone with information about who may have left them in Peabody Park is asked to contact Appleton Police.
