San Franciscans will have their change to adopt one of the 23 rabbits confiscated from a local pet store, says a spokesperson from SF Animal Care and Control — and a local business is ready to help the bunnies transition from shelter to home.
As reported by the Chron this morning, SF Animal Care and Control confiscated 23 young bunnies from an unidentified Mission District pet store apparently unaware that San Francisco law prohibits the
sale of rabbits in the city.
While the SF Animal Welfare Commission is considering a ban on the sale of all small animals, the bunny law has been on the books since the 70s. You can see it here, Article 1, Section 48:
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to display, sell, offer for sale, barter or give away any baby chicks, rabbits, ducklings or other fowl as pets or novelties, whether or not dyed, colored, or otherwise artificially treated.
(b) This Section shall not be construed to prohibit the display or sale of natural chicks, rabbits, ducklings or other fowl in proper facilities by dealers, hatcheries or stores engaged in the business of selling the same to be raised for food purposes.
(c) Any person, firm or corporation violating the provisions of this Section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not less than $5 nor more than $50 for each and every offense.
Which means that the pet store could be on the hook for up to $1150 for the offense.
But though you can’t legally buy or sell these bunnies, you can adopt one from the ACC as of Saturday, June 19 at 12 noon. Included will be a spaying/neutering and a free exam from a vet.
According to ACC spokesperson Deb Campbell, “Pet Food Express will be providing free rabbit set-up packages to all rabbit adopters on Saturday and Sunday, June 19 and
20″ and representatives from Save A Bunny rabbit rescue will also be there this weekend to school you on bunny care.
