Welfare group appeals to residents after 6th rabbit rescued from Zhenghua park area since December

SINGAPORE – A rabbit rescue group is appealing to residents in the Zhenghua Nature Park area to keep a lookout for several abandoned bunnies.

In a Facebook post on Jan 4, Bunny Wonderland, a private animal welfare group with 20,000 followers on Facebook, said it received a report about an abandoned rabbit near Block 468 Segar Road. It also received a report on another three abandoned rabbits sighted in the area that day.

In its latest Facebook update at about 6pm on Jan 5, the group said it was still looking for two of the abandoned rabbits – one white and one brown.

Several rabbit owners and volunteers had joined the search from 8am to noon without success, it said, adding that the weather was too hot for the rabbits to come out.

The group said it would continue the search later in the evening.

Encouraging others to help in the rescue efforts earlier, the group said the best times to search are in the morning between 8am and 10am, and in the evening from 6pm to 10pm, when rabbits are active and looking for food.

At least six rabbits have been rescued from the Zhenghua park area in Bukin Panjang

since December.

Five were rescued by Bunny Wonderland and one by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

“It’s clear that this park has, unfortunately, become a dumping ground for unwanted pets,” Bunny Wonderland said.

The group appealed to residents in the area to stay vigilant. “If you see a rabbit or notice anything unusual, contact us immediately so we can help. Together, we can put an end to pet abandonment and ensure these animals get the care they deserve.”

It added that a concerned animal lover, who helped Bunny Wonderland rescue the fifth rabbit from the area, has since reported the incident to the National Parks Board’s Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS).

Bunny Wonderland volunteer Lynne Tan, 42, said she has asked AVS to install temporary signs at the park to warn people that abandoning pets is a crime. She has yet to hear from AVS if her idea will be implemented.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, Ms Jessica Kwok, NParks’ group director of enforcement & investigation, said it is looking into the matter. 

She said that NParks is committed to safeguarding animal health and welfare in Singapore and takes all feedback on alleged animal abandonment seriously. 

“We investigate every reported case if there is sufficient information provided, and we will take appropriate enforcement action against anyone who has committed an offence,” she said.

Members of the public may report suspected cases of animal cruelty to NParks or provide potential evidence via its website, or call its Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600.

ST has contacted Bunny Wonderland for more information.