53 rabbits rescued from Boulder Creek petting zoo

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter said it took in 53 rabbits from a petting zoo in Boulder Creek after a welfare check.

The shelter said someone called officers there to say the owner was overwhelmed by breeding rabbits, so an officer went to the site.

The owner agreed to surrender all but six rabbits he wanted to keep in his petting zoo to the shelter, and they agreed as long as the rabbits were spayed and neutered. The shelter said officers worked with the owner to get the rabbits to the shelter where they were spayed and neutered.

Because of the high number of rabbits at the shelter, it is holding an adoption special. Rabbit adoption fees are now $25, and the price includes spaying or neutering and a microchip.

For more information about adoptable animals is available on the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter website at www.scanimalshelter.org.