PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — An animal control investigation is underway after more than 200 rabbits were confiscated from a property in Puyallup Thursday.
Pierce County Animal Control seized an estimated 246 rabbits and brought them to the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County.
It is one of the largest intakes the animal shelter has ever experienced, according to Dr. Jennifer Bennett, chief veterinary officer at the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County. It is also the most animals Pierce County's animal control unit has taken in a single day.
“This is a massive undertaking,” Bennett said in a statement.
The rabbits vary in age and their physical condition is still being determined. The shelter's veterinary staff spent the day performing health checks on the rabbits.
The rabbits were living in a crowded environment with limited access to care, according to the shelter.
As crews executed the search warrant, 95 rabbits were found in two sheds in the backyard. The remaining rabbits were inside the home in numerous cages, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department.
Pierce County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Darren Moss said the department wants to make sure the animals are being well cared for.
"This is a situation where we're able to help this person, because she might be over her head and we're gonna help alleviate that, take the animals off the property, make sure they're being taken care of," Moss said.
Animal control began investigating after receiving a complaint about the care of the animals, according to the sheriff's department.
The owner will be able to petition the court to get the rabbits back.
The shelter is asking the public to consider becoming a foster and providing a temporary home for the rabbits. The shelter said it would provide information and supplies to care for a foster rabbit. Interested residents can sign up on the shelter’s website.