Updated: 8/22/2008 11:29:07 PM
They're being dubbed the "Memphis 10."
The rescued rabbits are getting some much-needed care at Young-Williams Animal Center.
Last week, officials discovered more than 100 neglected bunnies at the home of an accused hoarder in Memphis.
Most of the rabbits went to private rescue groups, but Young-Williams was able to take in ten of them.
Humane Educator Taylor Slemmer says Young-Williams was the only public shelter equipped to take care of the rabbits.
They are skinny, dirty and need medicine.
They also had never had their toenails trimmed.
Some were even missing toes because of hard living in cages.
"We need to put weight on them," Slemmer said. "We're already checking them for parasites, we certainly are going to spay and neuter them when they're feeling well enough to do it. We work on litter box training. Our rabbits live indoors, and we begin litter-box training right away, and these rabbits are already very interested in that, so that's encouraging. We're going to turn them into pet bunnies, and we think we can do it fairly quickly."
Slemmer says bunnies make great pets, but not for children.
"A family interested in a bunny can have a wonderful time with the bunny," she said. "You never want to adopt a bunny for a child because it's a lot of work. It's a lot to ask of a child, too much to ask of a child. However, a family working together, participating in the care of the animal, just like a dog or a cat, it can be terrific. They're great."
