Guelph Humane Society takes in 60 animals, including hedgehogs and quail, as part of investigation

Pregnant bunnies, buttonquail, hedgehogs and chinchillas it's an intake of animals the likes of which the Guelph Humane Society has not seen before.

"This is a new one for us to have hedgehogs and chinchillas and birds and rabbits. Normally we're dealing with large intakes of cats or dogs," McBride said. "We're excited to learn how to best look after quails and chinchillas,"society executive director Adrienne McBride said.

In total,staff took in 60 animals this weekfrom a residence aspart of an ongoing investigation involving police and Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals agents.

More bunnies possible

The animals are undergoing medical check-ups and are currently being housed at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, but McBride said all the animals appear to be in good health.

"The biggest thing right now is trying to determine whether or not the rabbits are pregnant. There's quite a mix of male and female rabbits. We have for sure one who has had her litter and another that we expect to deliver some babies any time now. But rabbits gestate for 30 days, so any time in the next month, we can expect possibly more babies."

Care to cost $7,500

McBride said the humane society does havelargeintakes of animals once or twice a year, but they've never had the variety of animals like this.

There are 20 rabbits, five hedgehogs, two chinchillas, two chickens, 20 buttonquail and 11 coturnix quail.

The society is asking the public for support to help care for the animals as they anticipate it will cost $7,500 to care for them.

McBride said she's optimistic all the animals will be adopted but find the quail a home will be most difficult.Officials are hoping anyone interested in adopting the birds to contact them.